Nintendo's 'unified account system' will link Wii U and 3DS later this year

Nintendo may be far behind the likes of Sony and Apple when it comes to digital distribution and online stores, but the gaming giant has recently been taking steps to close the gap.

Back in April, for example, the company announced that all future 3DS games, starting with New Super Mario Bros. 2, will be available to download from the eShop.

Now, according to Nintendo customer service representative David Marshall, The Big N plans to launch a "unified account system" alongside the Wii U later this year.

"A unified account system will be implemented later this year with the launch of the Wii U. Eventually this same account system will be made compatible with Nintendo 3DS systems," Marshall confirmed in an email.

"At this time we have no additional details to offer and nothing to indicate how or if this will work outside the United States and Canada. In the meantime, if the system has a problem, taking it to an Authorised Service Center will maintain the Nintendo eShop account. If the system is stolen, we can transfer the account to a new system once we are provided with a valid police report."

We'll just have to wait and see what benefits this new unified account brings.