Nintendo has just revealed that it will be discontinuing its Gold Points program on the Switch eShop and the official Nintendo website.

Starting from March 25, 2025, players won’t be able to earn Gold Points from their purchases anymore. But don’t worry—any points you’ve earned before that date will still be valid.

Additionally, the support page for Switch Online Vouchers has been refreshed to clarify that the program won’t be compatible with Switch 2 games. Nintendo Switch Online subscribers could buy pairs of vouchers for $99 US or the equivalent, which they could then use for first-party game releases. 

However, these vouchers will still be available for upcoming titles on the original Switch, including Legends Z-A and Prime 4.

I understand that the news comes as a surprise for Nintendo users, so let’s just break it down part by part. 

What Are Nintendo Switch Game Vouchers?

Nintendo Switch Game Vouchers are a fantastic deal for Nintendo Switch Online members, allowing you to buy them in pairs. 

Credit: Nintendo

Each voucher could be used to snag a specific Nintendo Switch digital game, giving you a chance to save on two titles. However, these vouchers can’t be used for games that are exclusive to the Nintendo Switch 2 system.

How Do Nintendo Game Vouchers Work?

Nintendo Switch Game Vouchers can be snagged on the official Nintendo website, and they come in pairs for a total of $100. But here’s the catch: you need to be a current subscriber of the Nintendo Switch Online service to buy them. 

Once you’ve got your hands on these vouchers, you can trade each one in for a digital game from the catalog. Since most games on that list are priced at $60, you could save yourself $20 by opting for the vouchers instead of buying two games separately.

After you purchase them, Nintendo Switch Game Vouchers are good for up to 12 months, so you can hang onto one or both until a game that piques your interest pops up in the catalog. 

Just keep in mind that you can only have a maximum of eight vouchers linked to your account at any given time.

Why No More Nintendo Game Vouchers for Switch 2 System?

Nintendo has made it clear that you can’t use your Nintendo Switch Game Vouchers for games that are exclusive to the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2. 

They’ve updated their FAQ page to clarify this point, emphasizing that these vouchers are only valid for games on the current Nintendo Switch.

Let’s break it down to details:

• Voucher Inapplicability: The Nintendo Switch Game Vouchers, which let members snag discounts on digital games, can’t be used for titles that are exclusive to the Nintendo Switch 2.
• FAQ Update: Nintendo has refreshed the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) section regarding the Game Vouchers to highlight this change, ensuring everyone knows that the vouchers won’t work with the next-gen console.
• Voucher Details: These vouchers, available to Nintendo Switch Online members, allow users to save on two full-price digital games.
• Redemption Period: You can redeem your vouchers within 12 months from the purchase date, and there’s no need to use them all at once.
• Nintendo Switch 2: As Nintendo gears up for the launch of the Nintendo Switch 2, these updates to the Game Vouchers FAQ are part of the preparations.

What Are Gold Points and How Did it Work?

Gold Points were earned through purchases of games on the Nintendo eShop for Switch consoles, with the amount you earned depending on the specific games you bought. 

Credit: Nintendo

You could also collect points from physical Nintendo Switch game cards, but at a lower rate. 

Each Gold Point was worth one cent on the eShop, allowing you to use them like real money for game purchases or to reduce the price of certain games. 

However, keep in mind that Gold Points had some restrictions; they could only be used on the eShop.

As of 12:30 AM Eastern on March 25, you can no longer earn Nintendo Gold Points from buying digital games on the eShop. 

But don’t worry! According to Nintendo’s Customer Support article, any Gold Points you haven’t used yet will still be good for a whole year after you earned them. 

Plus, you can still rack up Gold Points by purchasing physical Nintendo Switch games, as long as they were released within the past year.

No More Nintendo Game Vouchers or Gold Points – What Next? 

In summary, Nintendo’s choice to limit the redemption of Switch 2 games with vouchers and to phase out Gold Points represents a major change in their approach to digital rewards.

This decision might leave some loyal customers feeling let down, especially those who have counted on these perks for savings. 

However, it could also hint at a broader overhaul of Nintendo’s pricing and reward framework for upcoming hardware and software. Whether this shift will bring about better incentives or just cut back on consumer benefits is still up in the air, but for now, fans might need to rethink how they shop.