Say Goodbye to My Nintendo Gold Points

Nintendo has announced it is discontinuing the My Nintendo Gold Points program starting on March 24, 2025, at 9:30 PM Pacific or March 25, 2025, at 12:30 AM Eastern. After that date, Gold Points will no longer be earned for digital purchases on the Nintendo eShop, nor will they be earned on physical games released after March 24, 2025. For any title released on or before March 24, 2025, Gold Points may still be earned by registering those titles within one year from the original release date of the game. Nintendo stated that all earned Gold Points will remain valid and redeemable for 12 months after they are issued.

It is unclear why the My Nintendo Gold Points program is being discontinued, but it is very likely somehow related to the upcoming release of the Switch 2. The company revealed its next console earlier this year, but we will not hear any details about it until April 2, 2025, at the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct. Shortly after, starting on April 4, the general public can see what it is all about at various Nintendo Switch 2 Experience events worldwide.

Here are more details on how the program changes will impact My Nintendo Gold Points.

My Nintendo Gold Points Program Changes

Point expiration

• Before the program changes: Valid for 12 months after you collect them.
• After the program changes: No change.

Purchasing digital content

• Before the program changes: Eligible digital purchases made on Nintendo eShop, on Nintendo Switch, or on Nintendo.com (where available), will automatically earn Gold Points based on 5% of the total paid amount (excluding tax and any points or discounts used).
• After the program changes: Digital purchases will no longer earn Gold Points.

Preorder of digital content

• Before the program changes: Pre-ordering eligible digital content on Nintendo eShop, on Nintendo Switch, or on Nintendo.com (where available) will automatically earn Gold Points at the time of transaction based on 5% of the total paid amount (excluding tax and any points or discounts used). Excludes preorders using Nintendo Switch Game Vouchers.
• After the program changes:
  • For preorders made before the program change:
    • Transactions occurring on or before 9:29 p.m. PDT on 3/24/2025 will automatically earn Gold Points. Excludes preorders using Nintendo Switch Game Vouchers.
    • Transactions occurring on or after 9:30 p.m. PDT on 3/24/2025 will earn Gold Points by the end of the day following the transaction. Excludes preorders using Nintendo Switch Game Vouchers.
  • Preorders made after 9:30 p.m. PDT on 3/24/2025 will no longer earn Gold Points.

Physical games

• Before the program changes: Eligible physical purchases will earn Gold Points based on 1% of the Nintendo eShop price (excludes tax) if the product is registered within the product registration period via the HOME menu on Nintendo Switch. Eligible physical games released on or before 3/24/2025 will earn Gold Points at the time of registration.
• After the program changes: Physical games released after 3/24/2025 will not earn Gold Points.

Nintendo eShop cards

• Before the program changes: Eligible digital purchases using the balance from Nintendo eShop cards will earn Gold Points based on 5% of the total paid amount (excluding tax and any points or discounts used). Excludes passes or consumables.
• After the program changes: Purchases using balances from Nintendo eShop cards will no longer earn Gold Points. Please note that some retailers may continue to sell Nintendo eShop cards that disclose earning Gold Points. You may still purchase and redeem these cards for their full value, but you will not earn Gold Points when using the cards for purchases.

Download codes for digital content

• Before the program changes: Eligible download codes will automatically earn 5% of the Nintendo eShop price of the content (excluding tax or discounts) at the time the codes are redeemed for digital content on Nintendo eShop.
• After the program changes: Download codes redeemed after 9:30 p.m. PDT on 3/24/2025 will no longer earn Gold Points.

Physical Store (Nintendo New York)

• Before the program changes: Eligible purchases will earn Gold Points based on 1% of the total paid amount (excluding tax and points or any discounts used).
• After the program changes: Purchases will no longer earn Gold Points.