Nintendo Announces Changes to Gold Points and Game Vouchers

Also: Switch Game Vouchers will not be valid for Switch 2 exclusives

Image explaining Nintendo Gold Points system Image via my.nintendo.com
© Nintendo

Key Updates from Nintendo

On Tuesday, Nintendo announced significant changes to its My Nintendo Rewards program. Starting March 24, customers will no longer earn Gold Points for digital purchases made in the Nintendo eShop or for physical purchases redeemed after this date. Additionally, preorders for games placed after March 24 will also be ineligible for earning points.

What You Need to Know About Gold Points

Validity: Gold Points will remain valid for 12 months after they are earned.
Earning Points:
- Digital Purchases: Earn 5% of the amount spent on eligible digital content.
- Physical Purchases: Earn 1% of the eShop price for the digital version of the game.
Redemption: Gold Points can be converted to one cent of in-store credit.

Changes to Game Vouchers

Nintendo also updated its policy regarding Nintendo Switch Game Vouchers. The new terms specify that these vouchers will not be valid for games exclusive to the upcoming Switch 2 console.

Vouchers Overview:
- First introduced in 2019 and reintroduced in 2023.
- Users can purchase a pair of vouchers for $99.98 (or 9,980 yen in Japan).
- Each voucher can be exchanged for a game from a continuously updated list, allowing players to save on the price of two titles.

Sales Milestones

In its recent financial report, Nintendo revealed that the Switch console has sold 150.86 million units as of December 31. This figure includes sales from the Nintendo Switch, Lite, and OLED models, with software sales reaching 1.359 billion units.

Payment Policy Changes in Japan

Starting March 25, the Nintendo eShop and My Nintendo Store in Japan will stop accepting payments made with credit cards issued overseas and PayPal accounts opened overseas. This measure aims to prevent fraudulent use.