Starting today, American and Canadian owners of Nintendo’s glasses-free 3D handheld can download a free app that allows Netflix members to watch TV episodes and movies on their devices.

The service is intended to bolster the offerings on the Nintendo 3DS portable system, which launched in March of this year. Nintendo’s Wii console also currently streams Netflix content, and, on an average day, more than 1.5 million Netflix members watch TV shows or movies via the Wii.

The new Netflix application for Nintendo 3DS displays movies and TV episodes in 2D on the system’s upper screen. Users will soon have access to an additional library of select movies that can be viewed in 3D without the need for special glasses.

Use of Netflix on Nintendo 3DS requires a broadband internet connection and a Netflix streaming membership starting at US$7.99 a month. Additionally, the 3DS’ parental control settings can be used to manage access to Netflix content.