With the help of the Starlight Children's Foundation Nintendo of America is to introduce GameCubes into some American hospitals to help ease the suffering of hospitalized children.

They will be introduced in selected hospitals throughout Washington state such as Swedish Medical center in Seattle, Deaconess Medical center, Ronald McDonald House and the Sacred Heart Children's Hospital in Spokane, Kennewick General Hospital, and Kirkland's Evergreen Hospital.

The Nintendo 'Fun Centers' will feature GameCubes, Nintendo games, Sharp televisions and DVD players. They will help make hospital stays more enjoyable.

These Fun Centers were first introduced in 1991 where they were equipped with Super Nintendos. In 1998 they were upgraded to the N64 and to celebrate the partnership Nintendo is to give the Starlight Children's Foundation over �3 million to help build more Fun Centers.

"Fun Centers are tremendous tools for alleviating the stress and anxiety children typically associate with being in the hospital and for helping to create a sense of normalcy," says Rebecca Bratcher, child life specialist, Sacred Heart Children's Hospital in Spokane. "For patients who have limited mobility, and those who are preparing for or recovering from surgery, Fun Centers are a welcome diversion that make time in the hospital pass more quickly."

"Nintendo is steadfast in its commitment to this program, which has brought happiness to so many children," says Don James, senior vice president, operations, Nintendo of America Inc. "Through this continued partnership with Starlight, we hope that Fun Centers soon will be a part of nearly every hospitalized child's experience."

"Armed with Nintendo's innovative manufacturing and wealth of knowledge about kids, we began a brilliant partnership that endures to this day as a shining example of corporations leading with their hearts, as well as their heads, to benefit those in need," adds Kip Crennan, president, international board of directors, Starlight Children's Foundation.