Nintendo ended Gold Points for most purchases in 2025. In North America, digital purchases and redeemed download codes stopped earning points at 9:30 p.m. PDT on March 24, 2025. Physical Nintendo Switch games had a separate transition: eligible games could still earn points through registration within one year of release, but Nintendo’s current support overview says physical registration stopped earning points on March 25, 2026.
When did Nintendo stop awarding Gold Points?
Nintendo announced the change on February 18, 2025. For North America, the cutoff for digital purchases was 9:30 p.m. PDT on March 24, 2025. After that time, digital purchases and download codes redeemed afterward no longer earned Gold Points. Nintendo’s announcement set out the cutoff and the exceptions.
The cutoff was regional, not a universal clock time. Nintendo Australia and New Zealand stated their local digital cutoff as 3:30 p.m. AEDT / 5:30 p.m. NZDT on March 25, 2025. Nintendo Australia and New Zealand’s announcement gives those territory-specific details.
Could physical Switch games still earn points?
Physical games followed a different schedule from digital purchases. In North America, eligible physical Nintendo Switch software released on or before March 24, 2025 could still earn Gold Points if the game was registered within one year of its original release date. Nintendo’s current support overview lists March 25, 2026 as the end of earning through physical-game registration. Check Nintendo’s current Gold Points support overview for the policy details.
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- One system, three play modes: TV, Tabletop, and Handheld
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Australia and New Zealand also allowed eligible Game Cards for titles released by March 24, 2025 to be registered within one year of the title’s original release date. Nintendo said it could award points for exceptional reasons at its discretion in that region; that qualification should not be assumed to apply everywhere.
Do eShop card purchases still earn Gold Points?
No. After the digital cutoff, spending an eShop card balance on a purchase no longer earned Gold Points. Buying or redeeming an eShop card did not preserve eligibility, even if packaging or a retailer listing still suggested otherwise. Nintendo said the cards remained available to buy and redeem at their full value; the change was to points earned from purchases, not the card balance.
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- 6.2” LCD screen
- Three play modes: TV, tabletop, and handheld
- Local co-op, online, and local wireless multiplayer
- Detachable Joy-Con controllers
- Nintendo Switch is the home of Mario & friends
What happened to points already in an account?
Previously earned Gold Points remained usable until their normal expiration date; the discontinuation did not make them expire immediately. Nintendo’s rule is that points expire on the last day of the month 12 months after they were earned. As a result, points earned in March 2025 expired by March 31, 2026. Check the Nintendo Account balance and expiry information for the status of an individual balance.
Were there exceptions for preorders?
In North America, digital preorders made on or before March 24, 2025 remained eligible even if payment was processed later, subject to Nintendo’s stated order and payment conditions. This was a specific transition exception, not an extension of Gold Points earning for new digital purchases.
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- Play your way with the Nintendo Switch gaming system. Whether you’re at home or on the go, solo or with friends, the Nintendo Switch system is designed to fit your life. Dock your Nintendo Switch to enjoy HD gaming on your TV. Heading out? Just undock your console and keep playing in handheld mode
- This model includes battery life of approximately 4.5 - 9 hours.
- The battery life will depend on the games you play. For instance, the battery will last approximately 5.5 hours for The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (games sold separately)
- Model number HAC 001( 01)
Are Platinum Points affected?
Platinum Points are a separate My Nintendo currency. Nintendo’s current support overview continues to describe earning Platinum Points through missions; they cannot be exchanged for Gold Points. Ending Gold Points therefore did not mean that all My Nintendo points or missions ended.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Why did Nintendo end Gold Points?
Nintendo’s announcement thanked users and apologized for the inconvenience but did not give a reason for ending Gold Points. It also did not establish a replacement Gold Points program. Nintendo Australia and New Zealand’s statement said, “We sincerely thank you for using the My Nintendo rewards program and apologise for any inconvenience.”
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- One player can use a Joy-Con in each hand
- Two players can each take one
- Multiple Joy-Con can be employed by numerous people for a variety of gameplay options (additional Joy-Con sold separately)
- Slip a set of Joy-Con into a Joy-Con grip accessory, mirroring a more traditional controller. Or, select an optional Nintendo Switch Pro Controller.
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- 6.2” LCD screen.
- Three play modes: TV, tabletop, and handheld
- Local co-op, online, and local wireless multiplayer
- Detachable Joy-Con controllers
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