Nintendo Is Axing Gold Points Before Switch 2 Even Drops—RIP Free Discounts

Published on February 21, 2025

Oh my God, y’all. Nintendo is out here pulling the plug on Gold Points right before Switch 2 even hits shelves, and I have questions. Like, why? For what reason? Who asked for this??

If you’ve been stacking those sweet, sweet eShop Gold Points for discounts on digital games, bad news: Nintendo just announced that March 25, 2025 is the last day you’ll earn them. After that? Nada.

No More Gold Points After March 25. It’s Over.

So here’s the deal:

• You can still earn Gold Points on games bought before March 24 (physical game cards included).
• You can still use your points for up to 12 months after you earn them.
• Any game released after March 25? Not eligible.

This means if you were planning on stacking points for future discounts, Nintendo just said “nah, we’re good.”

And bro. They didn’t even say why.

Oh, And Those Game Vouchers? Yeah, They Won’t Work for Switch 2 Either.

Another L incoming. If you were sitting on those Nintendo Switch Game Vouchers, hoping to use them on Switch 2 exclusives, I have terrible news.

Nintendo just confirmed that ain’t happening.

So basically:

1. No more Gold Points.
2. No Game Voucher support for Switch 2.
3. No explanation why.

Nintendo is really out here cleaning house before the Switch 2 launch like a landlord before new tenants move in.

Switch 2 Is Coming Soon, But Nintendo’s Playing It Mysterious AF.

Nintendo hasn’t officially dropped Switch 2 yet, but all signs point to a mid-2025 launch (June-September is the rumor). There’s even a Switch 2-focused Direct happening in April, so we might finally get some real answers.

What we do know:

• Nintendo Switch Online accounts will carry over (W at least).
• The eShop is getting cleaned up before launch.
• People are still mad about eshop “eslop” games scamming users.

(For real though, someone at Nintendo needs to fix that mess.)

Also, If You Buy Games From the Japanese eShop? Good Luck With That.

Oh, and one more thing: Nintendo is making it harder for foreigners to buy games on the Japanese eShop.

Starting January 25, 2025, they will no longer accept credit cards or PayPal accounts issued outside of Japan.

Bro. They really said “no more free region discounts for y’all.”

Final Thoughts: Nintendo, Please, Just Give Us Good News for Once.

Between axing Gold Points, blocking Vouchers, and making it harder to buy from the Japanese eShop, Nintendo is really out here tightening things up before Switch 2.

Is this a sign that Switch 2 is gonna be crazy expensive? Is Nintendo prepping for an all-new rewards system? Are they just doing it because they can?

I need answers.

Until then—go burn those Gold Points while you still can.