Hi all,
I recently saw some articles on Nintendo ending their Gold Points system for the Switch on March 25, 2025 at 12:30am ET. This came as a surprise to me (and many others online it seems), as the Gold Points system had been very well received.
The loyalty program allowed customers to earn back 5% of their purchase in Gold Points, which they could use to buy games on the Nintendo Store. This program is popular among Nintendo loyalists and felt directly rewarding to fans. This is why its discontinuation has left many perplexed.
Nintendo offered no explanation for why the system will be discontinued, though some speculate that it may be related to the impending Switch 2 reveals that will take place soon during the Nintendo Direct. While Gold Points will continue to be usable for another year, until 2026, the system will come to an end soon.
Has anyone used this system extensively? How do you feel about this loyalty program ending? Do you think Nintendo will unveil a new loyalty program for the Switch 2 to replace the Gold Points?
Feel free to comment with your thoughts!
Sources:
https://kotaku.com/nintendo-switch-2-gold-points-loyalty-scheme-1851765041
https://gamerant.com/nintendo-gold-points-expire-discontinued-march-2025/
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Hi Clara,
Thanks for the interesting read. I had only heard about this issue recently as well. I personally never made much use of the Gold Points because I often forget they existed and by the time I remembered I had them, they had expired.
A lot of people have been wondering why Nintendo is removing the Gold Points, and Nintendo is also disallowing Nintendo Game Vouchers (which allowed players to purchase 2 switch games for $100) for Nintendo Switch 2 games. A theory online that I saw regarding this issue is that Nintendo introduced these to help ensure the Switch was successful. I think this theory is plausible considering how poorly received Nintendo’s previous console was (the Wii U). Due to the Wii U’s failure it would make sense for Nintendo to have taken extra measures to help encourage players to buy Switch games and Switch consoles. Now that the Switch has become so successful and the Switch 2 will likely also be successful, there is no reason for Nintendo to continue these programs to induce gamers to buy Switch 2 games. Although, the Nintendo Wii was also incredibly successful and the Wii U still failed, so its possible (although unlikely) the Switch 2 could fail as well (which may prompt Nintendo to bring back these programs).