Nintendo Gets Airline Patent

Nintendo of America announced on Wednesday that it has been granted US Patent No. 5,959,596 for its airline-based video-game entertainment systems. The technology, labeled by Nintendo as the Nintendo Gateway System, has been operational since 1993.

"Airlines are always surprised to discover that more than half of video-game players worldwide are adults, and it is not uncommon for Nintendo video games to be the preferred alternative to the in-flight movies," said Peter Eck, director of network planning for Nintendo. "Unlike movies, passengers find playing video games is never a repeat experience. Nintendo video games are an established form of entertainment in the home and in the air."

Current airlines carrying the Nintendo Gateway System include Virgin Atlantic, All Nippon Airways, Singapore Airlines, Malaysia Airlines, Air Canada, Air China, Ansett Australia, China Airlines, Kuwait Airways, and others. The system is in place in over 41,000 airline seats.