Nintendo stopped awarding My Nintendo Gold Points for digital purchases in the Americas at 9:30 p.m. PDT on March 24, 2025. Physical-game registration continued temporarily for eligible games, but Nintendo of America says that ended on March 25, 2026. Points already in an account did not all vanish on either date: each expires at the end of the month 12 months after it was earned, so check your account’s point history for your balance and expiry dates.
What Nintendo discontinued—and when
Nintendo announced the change on February 18, 2025. It discontinued the ability to earn Gold Points; it did not immediately delete existing balances or end every My Nintendo feature. The cutoff dates below are Nintendo of America’s published terms for the Americas, not a universal timetable for every region.
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| Date | What changed |
|---|---|
| February 18, 2025 | Nintendo announced the Gold Points change. Nintendo’s My Nintendo notice |
| March 24, 2025, 9:30 p.m. PDT | Gold Points stopped accruing on digital content purchases in the Americas. Nintendo of America’s support notice |
| March 25, 2026 | Nintendo of America says registration of physical Nintendo Switch software can no longer earn Gold Points. Nintendo of America’s support notice |
When the change was first announced, eligible physical games released on or before March 24, 2025 had a limited registration window tied to each game’s original release date. That was a transition exception, not a way to earn points indefinitely by registering an old game. Nintendo’s current Americas support information gives March 25, 2026 as the end of physical-software registration for points.
Can you still use Gold Points you already earned?
Yes, if the points have not expired and the purchase is eligible. Nintendo says remaining Gold Points can be applied to eligible digital game and downloadable content purchases through Nintendo eShop and, where available, Nintendo’s website. Eligibility can depend on the account, region, currency, and transaction; points should not be assumed to cover every purchase or recurring charge. See Nintendo’s My Nintendo Overview and FAQ and check the options shown at checkout.
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When do Gold Points expire?
Nintendo’s rule is that Gold Points expire on the last day of the month 12 months after the month in which they were earned. For example, Nintendo says points earned on March 24, 2025 expire on March 31, 2026. Expiry is therefore account-specific: there is no single date on which every player’s balance expired.
To check your own account:
- Sign in to the Nintendo Account that earned the points.
- Open the My Nintendo point history and review the balance and expiration information shown there.
- If points remain, choose an eligible digital game or DLC and check whether the points appear as a payment option before confirming the purchase.
Use the account that actually earned the points; Nintendo’s FAQ says points are not transferable between accounts. Regional currency and availability can also affect redemption.
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- Give the gift of fun with a Nintendo eShop gift code
- It's easy—apply it to your Nintendo eShop account in seconds.
- It ensures that you’ll always have funds on hand to help with purchases of new games and applications
- It’s designed for your Nintendo eShop purchases—no credit card required.
- The perfect gift for anyone who loves to play—including you. Choose from over 1,000 new, classic and indie games – delivered directly to your Nintendo Switch system.
Gold Points and Platinum Points are different
Gold Points were linked to eligible purchases, and that earning feature has ended. Platinum Points are a separate My Nintendo point type: Nintendo says they can still be earned through qualifying activities such as missions. They have their own earning, redemption, and expiration rules. Gold and Platinum Points cannot be exchanged for one another, so a Platinum balance cannot replace expired Gold Points or extend their life. Nintendo explains the distinctions in its My Nintendo FAQ.
Do eShop cards still earn Gold Points?
No. Nintendo says purchases made with Nintendo eShop card balance no longer earn Gold Points. A retailer may still have cards with packaging that mentions points, but the card retains its full value as eShop funds; the old packaging does not restore Gold Points earning.
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- Digital Card balances can be shared across Nintendo Switch, Wii U and Nintendo 3DS family of systems, but may only be used on a single Nintendo eShop account.
Regional terms matter
The dates above describe Nintendo of America’s published terms. Nintendo UK describes its own eligibility and physical-game registration rules in its My Nintendo Points Overview. Nintendo Japan announced a local cutoff of March 25, 2025 at 1:30 p.m. JST, with local exceptions. Because dates, eligibility, and storefront rules are region-specific, use the support information for your Nintendo Account region and the point history attached to that account.
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- Nintendo eShop Digital Cards are redeemable only through the Nintendo eShop on the Nintendo Switch, Wii U, and Nintendo 3DS family of systems.
- Digital Card balances can be shared across Nintendo Switch, Wii U and Nintendo 3DS family of systems, but may only be used on a single Nintendo eShop account.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
