Nintendo and Starlight Bring Much Needed Fun to Hospitalized Children Nationwide; Actress Mena Suvari Unveils All-New Fun Centers

LOS ANGELES -Oct. 29, 2002- At a time when holiday shoppers are top-of-mind for most companies, Nintendo of America Inc. renews its commitment to putting electronic fun in more important places than just store shelves - hospitals.

Nintendo and Starlight Children's Foundation today commemorate their 12-year partnership, plus the millions of smiles generated from the Fun Center program, with the launch of all-new Fun Centers, state-of-the-art mobile entertainment units designed specifically for hospitalized children. Actress Mena Suvari (American Beauty, American Pie), longtime Starlight international board member Howard Davine, several pediatric patients and Nintendo video game star Mario headlined a ribbon-cutting ceremony at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles to commence the national roll-out of the newly designed Fun Center, featuring a Nintendo GameCube and Sharp AQUOS Liquid Crystal Television with DVD player.

"We are honored to be the first to receive the newest model from Nintendo," said Doug Leffin, BA, clinical child life specialist, Childrens Hospital Los Angeles, Patient & Family Services. "Fun Centers provide a necessary escape from the challenges faced by pediatric patients, plus they give children who may have limited mobility an opportunity to exercise a sense of power and control. This diversion holds a therapeutic value while enhancing a hospitalized child's self-esteem."

Fun Centers allow patients to cultivate friendships and have more normalized social interaction. Sergio and Juan, two patients who have become friends during their hospital stay in the Department of Rehabilitation at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles have many positive things to say about the Fun Centers. "Sometimes I challenge other kids to a game and I make new friends," said 14-year-old Sergio. "It helps me get `un-bored'," added 11-year-old Juan.

With the launch of 500 all-new Fun Centers nationwide, Nintendo affirms its belief in Starlight's work with a charitable contribution surpassing $3 million. Each month, more than 118,000 hospitalized children across the nation will benefit from the Fun Center program.

"Nintendo is deeply committed to having every hospitalized child possible benefit from Fun Centers," said Phil Rogers, executive vice president, Operations, Nintendo of America Inc. "By partnering with Starlight, Nintendo can do what it does best in bringing happiness and laughter to the everyday lives of kids."

Fun Centers provide hours of enjoyment and an opportunity for sick kids to relax and temporarily forget their pain. With Nintendo GameCube hits such as Super Mario Sunshine, Luigi's Mansion, and Wave Race: Blue Storm, among others, and a variety of age-appropriate DVDs, the Fun Center is a welcome hospital visitor.

"Through Nintendo's strategic manufacturing and wealth of knowledge about kids," said Kip Crennan, president, international board of directors, Starlight Children's Foundation, "we began a brilliant partnership that endures to this day as a shining example of how senior executives can embrace the public good in their corporation's best ethical interest."

Over the past decade, Starlight has placed more than 3,000 Fun Centers with Nintendo game systems in more than 1,000 hospitals across the country -- a number that brings Nintendo and Starlight closer to meeting the ever-increasing need for Fun Centers, according to a recent survey of pediatric facilities conducted by Boston Consulting Group. In addition, caregivers have reported important quality-of-life benefits for patients who use the Fun Centers, such as reduced need for pain medicine and lower levels of stress, boredom and loneliness.

October 29, 2002

Rick - Editor in Chief, GameCubicle