For many Nintendo Switch owners, Gold Points have been a small but steady bonus—a way to earn a few dollars off future game purchases since its debut in 2018. However, that era is coming to an end. Nintendo recently announced sweeping changes to its Gold Points system, signaling a clear shift in strategy as the company gears up for its next big move.

When Nintendo introduced Gold Points in 2018, it was seen as a modest reward system designed to give loyal customers a little extra value with every purchase. Whether you picked up a physical cartridge from your local retailer or downloaded a digital title from the Nintendo eShop, you were earning points that could eventually translate into discounts on future games. While the rewards were incremental—requiring several purchases to hit a significant discount—they nonetheless served as an incentive for gamers to stick with Nintendo’s ecosystem.

What’s changing?

The big news is that Nintendo will no longer award Gold Points on digital purchases made after 9:30 PM PDT on March 24. This means that any game bought on the Nintendo eShop past this deadline will not contribute to your Gold Points balance. However, there’s a small twist: pre-orders placed before the cutoff will still earn points, with the rewards credited within the day after the transaction is processed.

The situation is a bit more nuanced when it comes to physical copies. If you purchase a game released on or before March 24, you can still earn Gold Points—but only if you buy the title within a year of its release date. Any physical game released after March 24, 2025, will be ineligible for Gold Points altogether. It’s also worth noting that, historically, physical purchases have awarded significantly fewer points compared to digital ones.

An interesting tidbit for those who love a bit of extra shopping: purchases at the Nintendo New York store also earned Gold Points. This perk remains available until March 24, though the same physical purchase rules apply after that date.

Why is Nintendo doing this?

Speculation is rife about why Nintendo is scrapping a program that, while modest, was appreciated by its loyal customers. Industry insiders suggest that the timing may be linked to the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2. With a new console on the horizon, Nintendo could be looking to streamline its operations, reallocate resources, or even prepare the ground for a revamped loyalty system that better aligns with its future goals.

Nintendo has remained tight-lipped about the precise reasons behind this move. However, many see it as part of a broader strategic shift. As the gaming landscape evolves, companies are constantly rethinking how they engage with their user base—and loyalty programs are often among the first areas to see change.

What does this mean for gamers?

For now, if you’ve been a careful accumulator of Gold Points, you have a bit of a countdown. Digital purchases made after 9:30 PM PDT on March 24 will no longer add to your points balance, so gamers might want to plan their buys accordingly. Meanwhile, if you’re waiting on a pre-order or considering picking up that physical copy of your favorite title, now might be the time to act—especially if the game in question was released on or before the cutoff date.

The discontinuation of Gold Points could prompt some gamers to reflect on the benefits of sticking with Nintendo’s ecosystem. While the rewards were never huge, they did add up over time and encouraged repeat business. With this program on its way out, the question arises: will Nintendo introduce a new, more enticing rewards system alongside the next-generation console?

As we edge closer to the long-awaited Nintendo Direct on April 2, all eyes will be on Nintendo for hints of what’s next. The upcoming presentation is expected to offer more details on the Nintendo Switch 2, and many speculate that it might also unveil fresh initiatives aimed at keeping the company’s loyal fan base engaged. Whether it’s an entirely new loyalty program or another innovative way to reward gamers, the future looks set to bring change.