For longtime Nintendo fans, a familiar routine is coming to an end. That small reward you’d quietly look forward to after buying a game – it’s disappearing. As of March 25, 2025, Nintendo Switch players will no longer earn Gold Points from digital purchases or most physical game purchases.
This may sound like a minor change, but for many players, it's more than just a few lost coins. It's the end of a system that made us feel seen, rewarded, and appreciated for being part of the Nintendo world.
If you're new to the term, Gold Points were part of Nintendo’s My Nintendo rewards program. Every time you bought a digital game from the Nintendo eShop, or registered a physical game, you’d receive a certain amount of Gold Points.
These points could be redeemed later to get discounts on future eShop purchases. It wasn’t life-changing money, but it felt good. It was Nintendo’s little way of saying, Thanks for sticking with us.
Say you bought a game for $60 – you’d get around 300 Gold Points, worth about $3. Over time, those added up and helped cover part of a new game or DLC. In today’s world, where game prices are climbing, even small savings can feel like a win.
Nintendo didn’t offer much of an explanation. The official message was brief and matter-of-fact:
As of March 25, 2025, Gold Points will no longer be awarded for digital game purchases or most physical game purchases. Previously earned points remain valid until their expiration.
So, why end it?
Here are a few possible reasons players are speculating:
Cost-cutting: With rising global costs and inflation, companies are reevaluating loyalty programs that don’t directly boost revenue.
Preparing for a new system: Maybe Nintendo is planning a revamped rewards system and is clearing the way.
Japan-centric decision-making: Nintendo, being a Japanese company, sometimes makes decisions that don’t align with global expectations.
Whatever the reason, the change feels abrupt – especially given how much players enjoyed the system.
This isn’t just about digital games. Players who buy physical cartridges and register them in their Nintendo account – a practice some still prefer – are also losing out. Most boxed games will no longer reward Gold Points, even when registered properly.
That feels like a double hit: physical game buyers already deal with slower updates and larger downloads. Now, they’re losing their loyalty rewards, too.
At first, this might not seem like a huge loss. Gold Points didn’t make games dramatically cheaper. But their psychological value was real. They helped players feel connected to Nintendo’s world. They encouraged people to stay in the Nintendo ecosystem.
And at a time when competitors like PlayStation and Xbox are offering cashback programs, trophies, and various perks, removing Gold Points makes Nintendo look slightly out of step.
Reactions across social media are mixed, but mostly disappointed:
I was saving up my points to get a discount on Tears of the Kingdom – guess that’s out now.
It wasn’t much, but it made me feel like Nintendo appreciated me.
They take away the little things that made being a loyal customer feel special.
It’s clear: Gold Points mattered more than just for discounts. They were part of the experience.
Nintendo isn’t just a game company. For many of us, it’s part of our childhood. We grew up with Mario, got lost in Zelda’s worlds, and built cozy islands in Animal Crossing. That’s why these small changes matter.
Gold Points may have been just a small digital currency, but they represented something bigger: a company recognizing and rewarding our loyalty.
So here’s a heartfelt goodbye to the Gold Points system:
You were small, but you made us feel special. Thanks for the memories.