Celebrating 30 Years of Starlight Gaming

Since 1992, Starlight has partnered with Nintendo of America to deliver happiness to seriously ill kids through the power of play with Starlight Gaming. 

Together with Nintendo, we have delivered more than 7,200 Starlight Gaming Stations to hundreds of hospitals, bringing smiles to an estimated over 12 million seriously ill children and, over the course of thirty years, this program has become a key, innovative resource for healthcare providers. 

The Starlight Nintendo Gaming Station is specially manufactured to incorporate current gaming technology, from the beloved Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) to the modern handheld Nintendo Switch. With seven iterations of the Gaming Station and counting, this program is a testament to our commitment to advance our programs to meet the evolving needs and interests of hospitalized kids.

When kids play on the Starlight Gaming Station, they experience the benefits of play including relief and distraction from stressful situations. Play is important because it boosts childrens’ moods while helping them cope. Loneliness fades as kids can compete with fellow patients or hospital staff, fostering trust with their healthcare providers. When kids play on the Gaming Station, they can manage their pain while simultaneously building problem-solving and goal setting skills. In these ways and more, Starlight Gaming bolsters kids' resilience to endure the challenges of hospitalization. 

The Gaming Station is designed to roll anywhere in the hospital, so kids can play from the comfort of their hospital bed or a playroom with a group of kids. The Starlight Gaming Station meets strict infection safety protocols and is pre-loaded with 25 games, all rated E10+ or below.

“The gaming stations are important distraction tools that normalize the health care environment and help kids through difficult experiences. They provide choices for kids, motivate them, and give them the opportunity to have fun when it is needed most.”  Julie Hertzog, CCLS, Mary Bridge Hospital

“Starlight Gaming has been a great aid in helping patients cope with hospitalization. We cannot thank Starlight enough for impacting the lives of our patients, families, and staff members on a daily basis.” Lexi Little, CCLS, CHRISTUS Shreveport-Bossier Health System 

Every year, donations from individuals and corporations fund the delivery of approximately 300 Starlight Gaming Stations to Starlight’s network of more than 700 children’s hospitals and other health care facilities. You can bring the joy of video games to hospitalized kids by sponsoring a Starlight Nintendo Gaming Station!