User blog comment:Plexioth- xD/Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate/@comment-4418173-20120507141145/@comment-76.69.4.94-20120507174120

The Nintendo Network is just a rebranding: it's been out for years. All it means is that the Wii U will have online features on par with the PS3 and 360 (or at least close to it; a few details have been given).

The 3DS is already capable of online gaming, but the features are limited - you can join in a friend's game and see what they're playing but there's no messaging system.