Nintendo's response to the PlayStation Network and Xbox Live has been revealed- in the form of the 'Nintendo Network'.

The platform is being marketed as the 'successor' to the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection and will work universally across Nintendo's eighth-generation games consoles, namely the 3DS and the upcoming 'Wii U'.

With the Wi-Fi Connection enabling online gaming via friend codes for single games, the Nintendo Network is understood to unify all these codes into one single 'friend' code, the technology which allowed 'Friend List' on 3DS to communicate with Mario Kart 7's 'communities' feature.

The network will also handle universal DLC downloads for first and third party titles, and Nintendo has publicly stated that it is 'considering the future possibility of digital distribution of packaged software', an apparent hint to the PS Vita's downloadable game function, as well as introducing the familiar concept of user accounts on its upcoming console, Wii U, a response to PSN names and Xbox Live Gamertags.

Click 'Read More' to find out some official words about the network from Nintendo head honcho, Satoru Iwata. 

During an investors Q&A session, Nintendo boss Satoru Iwata-san, whose company recently posted a 48 Billion Yen loss last quarter, told investors:

'Unlike Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection, which has been focused upon specific functionalities and concepts, we are aiming to establish a platform where various services available through the network for our consumers shall be connected via Nintendo Network service so that the company can make comprehensive proposals to consumers.'

Regarding the Wii U's user account system, Iwata-san went on to say that he will 'tackle' the 'challenge' presented by a piece of 'hardware shared by multiple family members' and improve it by 'constructing and offering the system by combining a variety of different services and content,'

In my opinion, the Nintendo Network sounds like a good leap forward for Nintendo, but then again, has this leap come just a little too late?
~Chris