Latest news with #GoldPoints
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.
Yahoo
18-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Nintendo Switch's Excellent Gold Points Scheme Is Being Discontinued
Nintendo has announced, with no explanation as to why, that it will be discontinuing Nintendo Gold Points on March 24. The scheme, where points were awarded when buying both physical and digital editions of games, could then be redeemed for discounts. But, ahead of the (still unknown) launch of the Switch 2, they will no longer be awarded. Nintendo's Gold Points scheme is excellent. You earn back five percent of the amount you spend on games as this store currency, which can then be used to get money off further purchases on the eStore. So if you spend $60 on a new title, you'd usually receive $3 into your account. Which might not sound a huge amount, until the next time you're browsing the store to look at indie games on sale, and realize you can have the one that takes your eye for free! It makes buying things on the Nintendo console store feel directly rewarding, rather than the more intangible offers from Microsoft of Sony. Which makes it really odd that it's coming to an end. Gold Points you already have will continue to work as before—they're valid for 12 months after you receive them, and you'll still be able to use them for discounts until the last possible date, March 24, 2026. You can also still receive them until that March 24, 2025 date, on any digital or physical purchases you make. Further, physical games published ahead of the deadline will still be redeemable, even after March 24. There's no information regarding whether Gold Points will be redeemable against Switch 2 games on that device's store. We've contacted Nintendo to try to find out more. Read More: The Switch 2 Shouldn't Lock Classic Nintendo Games Behind A Subscription Paywall Nintendo's announcement of the ending of the scheme simply states, 'We sincerely thank you for using the My Nintendo rewards programme, and apologise for any inconvenience.' As if it's some sort of unavoidable event, rather than a corporate decision. Alongside this, Nintendo has made clear the Nintendo Switch Game Vouchers scheme won't work for Switch 2 games. This was a separate money saver for Nintendo Switch Online users, where you could buy two big-name games at a discounted price. Obviously, this is all timed ahead of the launch of the Switch 2, expected some time perhaps in May or June this year. But it remains deeply strange, given the Switch 1 will have a long tail, its eStore will remain online and updated with new games for years to come, and its customers will now seemingly be getting a worse deal. It could be—in fact it's extremely likely—that Nintendo will announce a whole new loyalty scheme for the Switch 2, and is looking to reset everything ahead of that. But unless original Switch users will also gain the benefits, it'll be a huge bummer. It's also extremely odd that any of this is happening before the Switch 2 launches. Nintendo may well have plans for something even better, but if so, there would surely be a better way to go about announcing things. . For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
