Latest news with #GoldPoints
Metro
10-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Metro
Nintendo is getting rid of another way to save money on Switch games
Just as fans feared, Nintendo has announced plans to discontinue Switch Game Vouchers, although it's not quite as bad as it sounds. The launch of the Nintendo Switch 2 doesn't mean Nintendo has immediately given up on the original Switch console, as evidenced by plans to keep releasing games for it into 2026. That said, there have been signs that it's gradually becoming less of a priority. Obviously, the Switch 2's the only place you can play new exclusives like Mario Kart World and Donkey Kong Bananza, as well as retro GameCube games. Ahead of the Switch 2's launch, Nintendo also updated its Switch Game Vouchers to ensure they couldn't be spent on Switch 2 games and now the company plans to get rid of them altogether. As a reminder, Switch Game Vouchers are an exclusive offer for Nintendo Switch Online subscribers and essentially let you purchase any two games from this list at a slight discount of £84. These have been available since May 2019, but Nintendo has announced plans to discontinue the vouchers starting from the end of January 30, 2026. This doesn't mean any you have left will immediately become useless. Vouchers typically don't expire for a year after purchase and that will remain the case even after they're removed from sale. Sign up to the GameCentral newsletter for a unique take on the week in gaming, alongside the latest reviews and more. Delivered to your inbox every Saturday morning. So, even if you buy a pair of vouchers on January 30, 2026, you'll still have until January 30, 2027 to use them. After January 30th, 2026, #NintendoSwitch Game Vouchers will no longer be sold. Any Game Vouchers bought will remain valid for 12 months after purchase. Switch titles will continue to be added to the Game Voucher catalogue throughout info: — Nintendo UK (@NintendoUK) July 10, 2025 Surprisingly, in its website update announcing all this, Nintendo says that it still intends to add more games to the list of examples you can purchase with game vouchers. Presumably, this will only last for another year and a half, since by the end of January 2027 any remaining vouchers will have expired and thus the scheme will be well and truly dead. This all comes after Nintendo also put an end to its Gold Points reward scheme in March, which served as another means of saving money on new Switch game purchases. More Trending At the time, it was theorised that this was a sign that Nintendo would establish a new rewards scheme for the Switch 2 era, which feels more likely now that the vouchers are on their way out as well. Nintendo hasn't officially acknowledged this though. In fact, much like the Gold Points, it hasn't given any explanation for why it's discontinuing the vouchers. This could all simply be part of Nintendo's strategy to encourage Switch 1 owners into upgrading to the Switch 2, but Nintendo of America president Doug Bowser has previously acknowledged that some people simply can't afford to make the jump. 'That's why we wanted to make the other Switch platforms available, so [people] still have an opportunity to come into our gaming universe, be a part of these characters in these worlds, and see value, if you will, in whatever rung of the platform they come in,' he said. Email gamecentral@ leave a comment below, follow us on Twitter. To submit Inbox letters and Reader's Features more easily, without the need to send an email, just use our Submit Stuff page here. For more stories like this, check our Gaming page. MORE: Nintendo Switch 2 charity auction for 'Staplegate' stapler is already at £80,000 MORE: Switch 2 owner banned for playing second-hand Switch 1 games MORE: Where to buy a Nintendo Switch 2 in the UK one month after launch
Yahoo
18-02-2025
- Yahoo
Nintendo Drops Gold Points, Switch Game Vouchers for Switch 2
Nintendo's Switch 2 is less than two months away from its big reveal on April 2, but it appears Nintendo is already making some changes to its eShop in preparation for the new portable console. The company plans to eliminate two programs for its digital store that saved Switch owners some money when buying games online. The first program to be sunset is Gold Points. This was Nintendo's reward program for those who buy Switch games on the eShop. After each purchase, they receive a certain amount of Gold Points, depending on how much they purchased. For example, buying a $60 game results in $3 of Gold Points. Those points can then be used toward the next game purchased. Starting on March 24 at 9:30 p.m. PT/12:30 a.m. ET, Gold Points will no longer be earned when making purchases in the Nintendo eShop. Points will still be valid for 12 months after they're awarded, including those earned right before the cutoff. Along with the end of the Gold Points, Nintendo also updated its page about Switch Game Vouchers. This program allows customers to buy two Nintendo games from the eShop -- Splatoon 3 and Mario Kart Deluxe 8, for example -- for $100, saving $20 off the full price. What changed is that Switch Game Vouchers cannot be redeemed for games exclusive to the Switch 2. Nintendo didn't immediately respond to a request for comment on why these programs were changing. Considering the timing of these updates and their proximity to the Switch 2 reveal in April and likely a summer release for the console, it appears Nintendo wants to end these programs before the big launch, maybe to start a new Switch 2-focused reward program. It's unclear what Nintendo's plans are right now, and everyone will have to wait and see in the coming months.
USA Today
18-02-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
What Nintendo nixing Gold Points might mean for the Switch 2's release
On Tuesday, Nintendo dropped a bombshell regarding its online shop. The video game company revealed it would soon discontinue its popular Gold Points system — which rewarded gamers with five percent cashback on purchases (in the form of points) whenever they bought software and or DLC on the Nintendo eShop. Given that all Gold Points took a full calendar year to expire after buying something, they became a valuable way to create solid discounts when making future purchases on the eShop. This fostered a continuous, healthy feedback loop for gamers and Nintendo alike. Alas, starting on March 25th, 2025, purchases and preorders made on Nintendo's eShop will no longer accumulate Gold Points. If you have any points on the verge of expiring now, I'd highly encourage you to find a way to spend them if they are, in any way, meaningful. Naturally, this move is rightfully being seen as a huge blow to gamers, many of whom enjoyed using Gold Points, for example, to take advantage of a robust indie game market. Usually, having a ready-made discount on hand encouraged these sorts of purchases more than you otherwise would've expected. Of course, Nintendo discounting Gold Points isn't necessarily all bad news. It is rumored that the highly-anticipated Switch 2 is coming later this year. A likely comprehensive Nintendo Direct on April 2 about the next steps for the console may even outline a release date. This is admittedly perhaps delusional, but the fact that Nintendo is stopping one of its most popular consumer-friendly services before the next Direct about its next console might point to the company revealing a new sort of points system exclusive to the Switch 2. Is Club Nintendo coming back? Will there be a points system using some kind of terminology from a Mario or Zelda game for branding now? Which … also might mean the Switch 2's release date is closer than we think (this summer?!). However, given Nintendo's notorious reputation for almost never putting its first-party games on sale, the more likely explanation here is that the company is just tightening its purse strings by getting rid of Gold Points. Because that's what it does. That sadly feels much more plausible until we know more about the Switch 2 in the early spring. Don't mind me. I'm coping and dreaming here, nonetheless.
Yahoo
18-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Nintendo is killing its Gold Points loyalty program
In 2018, Nintendo introduced Gold Points, which were earned when you purchased Switch games, either physical cartridges or digitally from the Nintendo eShop. While you needed many purchases to redeem something substantial, you still saved a few dollars regardless if you get a cheaper title or something more expensive. Unfortunately, Nintendo announced that you won't be able to earn Gold Points after 9:30 PM PDT on March 24 if you buy digital copies of games. All eShop purchases made after that time won't earn Gold Points anymore, though pre-orders for content made before then will still earn Gold Points as long as the pre-order is put in before the deadline. The points will be awarded within the day after each processed transaction. It's more tricky for physical releases. If you buy a game released on or before March 24, you still earn Gold Points even after that day, but only for games bought within a year of their release dates. Naturally, physical versions of games released after March 24, 2025, won't let you earn any Gold Points. It's also worth noting that Nintendo awards significantly fewer Gold points for physical purchases. Most people are likely unaware, but you can earn Gold Points by shopping at the Nintendo New York store. This will remain the case until March 24, and the rules for physical releases mentioned above apply after checkout. Nintendo's decision to end the Gold Points loyalty program is possibly due to the Switch 2's upcoming announcement and release. It's unknown whether Nintendo will have a new loyalty program, but we'll probably find out after the April 2 Nintendo Direct where we'll finally get more details on the long-awaited console.
Yahoo
18-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Nintendo is killing its Gold Points loyalty program
In 2018, Nintendo introduced Gold Points, which were earned when you purchased Switch games, either physical cartridges or digitally from the Nintendo eShop. While you needed many purchases to redeem something substantial, you still saved a few dollars regardless if you get a cheaper title or something more expensive. Unfortunately, Nintendo announced that you won't be able to earn Gold Points after 9:30 PM PDT on March 24 if you buy digital copies of games. All eShop purchases made after that time won't earn Gold Points anymore, though pre-orders for content made before then will still earn Gold Points as long as the pre-order is put in before the deadline. The points will be awarded within the day after each processed transaction. It's more tricky for physical releases. If you buy a game released on or before March 24, you still earn Gold Points even after that day, but only for games bought within a year of their release dates. Naturally, physical versions of games released after March 24, 2025, won't let you earn any Gold Points. It's also worth noting that Nintendo awards significantly fewer Gold points for physical purchases. See for yourself — The Yodel is the go-to source for daily news, entertainment and feel-good stories. By signing up, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy. Most people are likely unaware, but you can earn Gold Points by shopping at the Nintendo New York store. This will remain the case until March 24, and the rules for physical releases mentioned above apply after checkout. Nintendo's decision to end the Gold Points loyalty program is possibly due to the Switch 2's upcoming announcement and release. It's unknown whether Nintendo will have a new loyalty program, but we'll probably find out after the April 2 Nintendo Direct where we'll finally get more details on the long-awaited console.
