Nintendo

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Summary

Nintendo is a gaming company that develops video game consoles and video games and has existed in many different forms since 1889. Their most popular line of consoles first launched in the 1980s. Their largest, international franchises include Super Mario Bros, Pokemon, The Legend of Zelda, and Animal Crossing.

Best Practices

This section includes tips and how-tos that have been used throughout different hospital gaming programs. The following are only best practices and can be modified to best fit your programs and restrictions.

Recommended Games

The following titles are widely used in hospital gaming programs. If included in this list, they are compatible with Nintendo Switch (original, Lite, OLED) consoles, unless stated otherwise. For an in depth look at recommended games for specific therapeutic purposes, reference Child Play's Therapeutic Game Guide. For ratings of games based on age/developmental appropriateness, visit The Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) website. For consumer-rated content, utilize Common Sense Media.

• Mario Kart 8 Deluxe | Rated E
• Animal Crossing | Rated E
• Super Mario Party | Rated E
• Super Smash Bros | Rated E10+
• Super Mario Odyssey | Rated E10+
• The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild | Rated E10+

Policies & Procedures

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Sanitizing

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Account Settings & Management

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Types of consoles

The generations of Nintendo consoles that remain widely used across gaming programs are the Nintendo Switch (all versions), Nintendo Wii, and Nintendo Wii U. Previous generations that you may encounter less often are the Nintendo DS lineup, Nintendo GameCube, Nintendo Game Boy lineup, and the original Nintendo consoles. To identify and differentiate between all Nintendo consoles, visit the Nintendo Video Game Consoles Wikipedia.\

Compatible Accessories

Driving wheel & pedals

• Steering wheel and pedal accessories offer a different, engaging way to interact with video games, specifically games focused on driving.
• Steering wheels and pedals can be helpful accessories to utilize in situations where patients have low or poor fine motor skills, as it requires more gross motor skills to turn the wheel and press pedals with feet or hands. Although the accessory is not marketed as an adaptive tool, with creativity, it can be implemented into an adaptive gaming setup in many ways.
• If working in a healthcare environment, it is important to find device options with little to no leather components, as it is more difficult to sanitize. Look for options using plastic or silicone or opt for users to wear gloves throughout the experience.

Arcade fighting stick

• Arcade-style fighting sticks offer players an enhanced experience when playing fighting games of many kinds. The accessory uses a simplified layout of critical buttons and features to give players easy access to the buttons they'll need to use for combos.
• The fighting stick operates nearly the same as the standard Nintendo controllers, with the only difference being the way it looks and the kinds of buttons available. They feature an analog, multi-axis joystick and several flat-face buttons.
• Fighting sticks can also be utilized in adaptive gaming scenarios, as well. They are simplified controllers with a larger joystick than what's provided on standard controllers, making it more accessible to use for players with low mobility or poor fine-motor skills.
• Most models are almost entirely plastic and easily wipeable.

Audio

• There are many different options for gaming audio. Depending on your program's restrictions (online vs. offline play, use of personal accounts on program-owned equipment, etc.), there may be better options than others.
• For programs that allow online play and communication with online players, an audio accessory with a microphone is critical. For programs that don't allow online play, but players are interested in playing video games with a headset, there are audio accessories without microphones or detachable microphones.
• For single-use options, simple earbuds with a microphone and a 3.5mm input can be inexpensive and serve the intended purpose.
• For multi-use options, wipeable materials are critical in healthcare environments. Many headsets use leather components, which are difficult to sanitize. Look for options with mostly plastic or silicone components or opt for users to wear gloves and hairnets.
• Having multiple options of audio devices is important to allow different kinds of players a positive gaming experience. Some players have restrictions with items that can be worn on or around their heads (incisions, sensitivity, halo-rings, etc.) and a smaller options like earbuds may work best for them. Over-the-ear headphones may be beneficial and sensory-friendly for players with auditory sensitivity.

Additional Resources

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