Club Nintendo Update! Good News!

[NE146]

Go for it!

As a G&W collector I give that thing high marks for quality.

It's such a nice repro and the packaging, stand and instructions that it comes with are collector-grade stuff worth having.


Well heck, I got it today. Here's the thing, is it me or is it smaller than the original?

I have a lot of Game and Watches but I don't have Ball. I USED to have Fire, but that thing was destroyed a long time ago. Not to mention all my G&W's are in a box at my mom's house. :p

So I don't if it's my memory failing me, or if all the G&W's I have are "widescreen" and larger. But is this repro faithful to the original size?

[dgdgagdae]

You should realize not a lot of people care about / use the codes on their Wii, DS and 3DS games or want to waste time joining club nintendo. A lot of used games are out there with their codes unused. Yeah it's a gamble but more often than not the codes probably arent used because the casual gamers don't bother with them.

I'm glad, too. I've bought a couple of used games that still had the code in the box, and they worked.

[Frankie_Says_Relax]

Well heck, I got it today. Here's the thing, is it me or is it smaller than the original?

I have a lot of Game and Watches but I don't have Ball. I USED to have Fire, but that thing was destroyed a long time ago. Not to mention all my G&W's are in a box at my mom's house. :p

So I don't if it's my memory failing me, or if all the G&W's I have are "widescreen" and larger. But is this repro faithful to the original size?

Yeah, it's a very faithful recreation of "Ball" with the exception of the battery compartment.

It's the size of the original run of Game & Watch "silver series" units, which really never made it to the US.

"Fire" was actually introduced in that series.

Of the original silver series Fire was the only that was re-released in the "Widescreen" series (with better illustrated LCD characters). The widescreen series was released in the US and is probably the size of the unit you're remembering.

http://www.bermuda.ch/balduin/blog/fire_small.gif

http://www.bermuda.ch/balduin/blog/ws_fire_small.gif

[Gameguy]

I USED to have Fire, but that thing was destroyed a long time ago.
Was it destroyed in some type of fire? If so that would be pretty ironic.

[Frankie_Says_Relax]

Was it destroyed in some type of fire? If so that would be pretty ironic.

Or, if it was thrown out a window and somebody failed to catch it.

http://users.content.ytmnd.com/5/e/1/5e15e9277ddda20616807926d18ca857.gif

And, here's a little something I made for LOST fans who are also Game & Watch fans. (If there are any other than me.)

[NE146]

Yeah, it's a very faithful recreation of "Ball" with the exception of the battery compartment.

It's the size of the original run of Game & Watch "silver series" units, which really never made it to the US.

"Fire" was actually introduced in that series.

Of the original silver series Fire was the only that was re-released in the "Widescreen" series (with better illustrated LCD characters). The widescreen series was released in the US and is probably the size of the unit you're remembering.

Yeah I eventually figured it out, And you're right.. I did have the Widescreen Fire. That being said I did see the Silver & Gold G&W's for sale but none really interested me back then. Growing up in Guam we pretty much had most sold locally, not to mention my family would often go to Japan for shopping at least twice a year (very short & cheap plane ride). If you could imagine Japan in the early 80's, the stores displays were filled to the brim with all sorts of electronic games.. it was a friggin thing of beauty. :)


Was it destroyed in some type of fire? If so that would be pretty ironic.

Nope, it was simply overplayed and died. Eventually screen rot set in from moisture and it just had to be thrown away. LOL This was ages ago though..

On that note.. while I still have a lot of my handheld games, it pains me how much stuff I lot simply because they eventually broke. Heck I had the Monkey Business watch amongst other rare birds. Ah well.. they were definitely enjoyed while they lasted.

[joshnickerson]

I just got this email in my inbox this evening...

Dear Club Nintendo Member,

As you may have noticed, 1 of the posters in the Legend of Zelda 25th
Anniversary Poster Set that we sent to you contained a minor flaw.
On The Legend of Zelda™: Skyward Sword poster, there is a design flaw
on the outline of the loft wing, to the right of the sword.

We apologize for the mistake and will be shipping a replacement poster
to you the first week of February. You can expect to receive a
confirmation email when the package is shipped.

Again, we apologize for this error and we hope that you enjoy your
new poster.

Thanks again for your membership and loyalty.

Sincerely,

Club Nintendo


Since I have nowhere to hang the posters right now, they've been in the original cardboard tube since I got them, so I never even noticed any flaw. Very cool of Nintendo to step up and replace an error that most people probably would've never noticed.

Plus, hey, now I got an extra poster! Maybe I'll give it to a friend of mine who missed out on the anniversary posters when they were still available.

[joshnickerson]

Updated this February with a new item, a slick 3DS/DS 18 card carrying case with interchangeable slipcovers.
Very nice. Do want.
https://club.nintendo.com/rewards-details/a/24002.do

The new selection of games is Mario Party 2 (VC) and Art Academy (eShop).

[SEGA_Queen]

Updated this February with a new item, a slick 3DS/DS 18 card carrying case with interchangeable slipcovers.
Very nice. Do want.


I had all these unused Club Nintendo codes lying around. So I decided to register tonight, and order the 3DS/DS case. It was the only thing available that I can actually get some use out of.

Also, it turns out that I had enough coins to reach Gold status. Hopefully, the elite status special gift is something decent.

[joshnickerson]

A new member satisfaction survey is up, worth about 10 coins. Take this opportunity to ask for those groovy soundtrack CDs to make their way to our shores!

Also, the 25th Anniversary Zelda posters are back for a short time, and three new game selections are up; Cubello, Mario's Picross and Radar Mission.

[treismac]

There are new and very forgettable rewards games up in Club Nintendo. How does Nintendo manage to castrate such a great idea like offering downloadable game in exchange for points? If April sucks too, this will be rather depressing indeed.

[SEGA_Queen]

There are new and very forgettable rewards games up in Club Nintendo. How does Nintendo manage to castrate such a great idea like offering downloadable game in exchange for points? If April sucks too, this will be rather depressing indeed.

Tell me about it. I just looked at the Japanese Club Nintendo rewards, and man, the NA ones suck in comparison! Unless, they offer something really good, I think I'll hold onto my remaining coins until next year.

*Sigh* I would love it if Nintendo would bring some of those nice OSTs over here.

[dgdgagdae]

There are new and very forgettable rewards games up in Club Nintendo. How does Nintendo manage to castrate such a great idea like offering downloadable game in exchange for points? If April sucks too, this will be rather depressing indeed.

Is Mario's Picross not any good? I really like picross games. but I've never tried that one. In fact, I've been looking locally at GameStops forever for regular Picross for the DS. I have 3D Picross and love it.

[Mayhem]

Managed to grab the renewed Zelda posters, so all is good :)

[PapaStu]

Is Mario's Picross not any good? I really like picross games. but I've never tried that one. In fact, I've been looking locally at GameStops forever for regular Picross for the DS. I have 3D Picross and love it.

Mario's Picross is just fine. I enjoyed the game alot on the GameBoy, which I didn't get until I had played through both DS games. It's controls are a little clunkier than the DS ones, but i've not played this port so there could be some touch screen controls that i'm unaware of (but I doubt it).

[c0ldb33r]

Mario's Picross is just fine. I enjoyed the game alot on the GameBoy, which I didn't get until I had played through both DS games. It's controls are a little clunkier than the DS ones, but i've not played this port so there could be some touch screen controls that i'm unaware of (but I doubt it).
I played Mario's Picross when it was new. I love it then and I love it now :)

[Oobgarm]

Mario's Picross is AWESOME.

[NE146]

All the Nintendo Picross games from the GB to the SNES versions. From Mario Picross to Picross DS are great. You can't really like one and not the other because they're all the same friggin family. Picross 3D is the only exception as far as gameplay, but it's still fun in it's own right.

[Mayhem]

Yeah, I've still got the original GB Picross here, and I played it to death at the time.

[SpaceHarrier]

Free Kid Icarus A.R. cards for anyone with a Club Nintendo account,

You can go to http://kidicarus.nintendo.com/ and click on the FREE A.R. CARDS link, which will prompt you to log in to your Club Nintendo account. You can then claim your pack of 3 limited edition (while supplies last) Kid Icarus A.R. cards. Confirm your address and the cards will be on their way.

From what I've read, there will be around 20 of these cards availabe through various giveaways (at the Nintendo store and Gamestop events) and 6 are included with the game.

[DOAsaturn]

Free Kid Icarus A.R. cards for anyone with a Club Nintendo account,

You can go to http://kidicarus.nintendo.com/ and click on the FREE A.R. CARDS link, which will prompt you to log in to your Club Nintendo account. You can then claim your pack of 3 limited edition (while supplies last) Kid Icarus A.R. cards. Confirm your address and the cards will be on their way.

From what I've read, there will be around 20 of these cards availabe through various giveaways (at the Nintendo store and Gamestop events) and 6 are included with the game.

Signed on for this. I don't know how much I care for this though. One of the cards is given to the first 250 that go to the Nintendo Store in NYC on Friday, that'll be selling for big bucks later. Even the Game Informer with the free card is going for booku. It's like Skylanders - if you want a complete collection to get the most out of the game, you'll be ponying up the dough.

Either way, looking forward to the game itself

[starchildskiss78]

I'm glad, too. I've bought a couple of used games that still had the code in the box, and they worked.

I was lucky with a couple of used games that still had a working code. I was very relieved as I had entertained the possibility that someone already used the code. It wouldn't have mattered as much but I am bound and determined to get Platinum status this year. I think the calendars are neat and everything, but I drool over the past Platinum rewards. I am one "Post Play Survey" away from that goal and I still have 3 months before the deadline! :)

[c0ldb33r]

Free Kid Icarus A.R. cards for anyone with a Club Nintendo account...
You rock thanks for the heads up :)

[joshnickerson]

It's like Skylanders - if you want a complete collection to get the most out of the game, you'll be ponying up the dough.

Or you could just use the scans people will be undoubtedly be posting in the internet, from what I've read that works just as well.

[joshnickerson]

It should be noted that at the start of the next Club Nintendo year (which begins July 1st), Coin values for older Wii and DS games will fall (mostly because so many of them are moving to the Nintendo Selects label). So if you've got 'em, now's the time to register them for MAXIMUM COINAGE!!!!!1 (tm)

https://club.nintendo.com/coin-values.do

Oh, and that 18-card 3DS/DS case is back in stock. Grab it before it's out of stock again.

[otaku]

thanks for the heads up on the AR cards. I got some shoe laces recently but sadly they didn't work with the shoes I own so I gave them to someone else

[Cornelius]

It is down to the wire, and I'd really like another 50 coins so I don't have to open my CE Zelda (I know, boo hoo). Donation would be awesome, but I do have a Wii Fit code to trade. Worth 80 coins today and tomorrow, or 100 after that!

[heybtbm]

FYI for people not paying attention to Club Nintendo recently...

The Club Nintendo "year" ends tomorrow. Just about everything "older" looses coin value (https://club.nintendo.com/coin-values.do) on the next day (day 1 of the new Club Nintendo year). So essentially, Nintendo is trying to make us buy more new games by devaluing old games. I suppose they're free to do what they want (it's "free stuff" afterall), but it still reeks of B.S.

[Esquire Fox]

I was burned by Club Nintendo some years ago when over 1000 coins I had saved up disappeared into thin air. My fault for not paying attention, but I still don't understand the reasoning in forcing members to use up their coin savings and punishing them if they do not. I was hoping they would bring some of the fantastic Japanese rewards stateside, but that never happened. I was craving something like a classic SNES controller attachment for the Wiimote, but all I got was a punch to the face.

I've since resumed participation in the rewards program and I recently ordered the lovingly recreated Game & Watch Ball.

Hope the platinum reward this year is as cool as the ones Japan keeps getting.

[Tupin]

I reached Platinum status this Club Nintendo "year" recently. When do they announce the Platinum reward, I'm waiting for that.

[Esquire Fox]

I reached Platinum status this Club Nintendo "year" recently. When do they announce the Platinum reward, I'm waiting for that.

It is usually announced on July the 1st. Just after the end of the Club Nintendo 'Year'.

[MachineGex]

Thanks for bumping this thread. I almost didnt make the Platinum. I was 100 coins away and remembered that I had not entired my son's MarioParty 8 game. With being 50 coins away, I used a "phone a friend" and got a extra code. I am glad I made it cuz their is no way I will get close to it next year. Any word on the rewards this year???

OOOPPPSS...just saw they announce the rewards on July 1st.

[Esquire Fox]

I don't see making 600 coins by next year being a problem at all.
There are two upcoming console releases (Wii U & 3DS XL) and a ton of great games coming (New SMB 2/U, Luigi's Mansion, Animal Crossing 3DS, Pokemon Black/White 2, Pikmin 3, Game & Wario).
I've also got some games and a 25th Anniversary DSi XL that I am holding off on registering until July.

[joshnickerson]

It's a new Club Nintendo year! I hope everyone who wanted to make Platinum last year was able to make it. As usual, the Platinum prizes will be announced "at a later date", but I've got my suspicions that we might see the gold nunchuck as a Platinum prize.

Two new games were also added, though it's a bit weird. There's Mario Tennis 64 for 150 coins, and Electroplankton: Rec-Rec for 100 coins, but they're only available until July 22 and July 15 respectively. I'm guessing they're going to switch out the games more often now, so if you don't like the current offering, you won't have long to wait to get something else.

[dgdgagdae]

FYI for people not paying attention to Club Nintendo recently...

The Club Nintendo "year" ends tomorrow. Just about everything "older" looses coin value (https://club.nintendo.com/coin-values.do) on the next day (day 1 of the new Club Nintendo year). So essentially, Nintendo is trying to make us buy more new games by devaluing old games. I suppose they're free to do what they want (it's "free stuff" afterall), but it still reeks of B.S.

Bah, totally missed this. Although I really don't know if I may have lost coins or not. I wasn't keeping track of my total.

[CRTGAMER]

FYI for people not paying attention to Club Nintendo recently...

The Club Nintendo "year" ends tomorrow. Just about everything "older" looses coin value (https://club.nintendo.com/coin-values.do) on the next day (day 1 of the new Club Nintendo year). So essentially, Nintendo is trying to make us buy more new games by devaluing old games. I suppose they're free to do what they want (it's "free stuff" afterall), but it still reeks of B.S.

Confirmed any coins registered over 600 is also lost at the July 1st reset. This is separate of the "store" redemption which have two Nintendo years for that. I'm glad I held off registering the other games so I can start building up the Platinum again for next year. A pain considering some games dropped in value, however a few went up.

Club Nintendo took away the before and after values. I saved the comparison list here:

http://www.racketboy.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=52&p=631764#p631764

[treismac]

Mario Tennis 64 is now happily resting in my Wii right where it belongs. :)

[CRTGAMER]

After seeing the Elite Status Reset, I had a concern if I will get the Platinum Gift. I confirmed that the Platinum Staus is in for 2012. Go to the Account & Coins section. It lists a history of all the points entered. At the very bottom is the Elite Status History.

This is strange, why would the 2013 Elite Staus show up and as not qualified?

2013 Elite Status: Did Not Qualify (0 coins)
2012 Elite Status: Platinum (630 coins)

Anyone else have 2013 pop up in their History Status?

[Aussie2B]

Dang, I had seen the comparison list before, but I really should've check again before I just registered Dragon Quest VI and IX yesterday. I had assumed they were going down, but they actually went up. :/

Oh well, the most important thing was spending my points before the end of the Club Nintendo year since most were about to expire. Too bad that even though I read the warnings and was incredibly careful, my blooper fan still got slightly broken as I opened it up. :/ Club Nintendo has been pretty crappy overall, but I guess I can't complain about free stuff.

[Lothars]

After seeing the Elite Status Reset, I had a concern if I will get the Platinum Gift. I confirmed that the Platinum Staus is in for 2012. Go to the Account & Coins section. It lists a history of all the points entered. At the very bottom is the Elite Status History.

This is strange, why would the 2013 Elite Staus show up and as not qualified?

2013 Elite Status: Did Not Qualify (0 coins)
2012 Elite Status: Platinum (630 coins)

Anyone else have 2013 pop up in their History Status?I would assume that's because it's the new year of platinum.

[Tupin]

WTF? I have 630 coins, which I had before June 30, and it says I only have Gold status? 590 coins...

I checked my history, I had 630 coins on June 28th. Is this an error?

[Lothars]

WTF? I have 630 coins, which I had before June 30, and it says I only have Gold status? 590 coins...

I checked my history, I had 630 coins on June 28th. Is this an error?You should be fine because mine says gold now but I had platinum last year as well and it changed yesterday.

[Link41]

I just downloaded Mario Tennis, great game!

[Esquire Fox]

WTF? I have 630 coins, which I had before June 30, and it says I only have Gold status? 590 coins...

I checked my history, I had 630 coins on June 28th. Is this an error?
Did you get all 630 coins that particular year? Your coins are cumulative, so you could have gotten 40 the year before and 590 this year.

[starchildskiss78]

After seeing the Elite Status Reset, I had a concern if I will get the Platinum Gift. I confirmed that the Platinum Staus is in for 2012. Go to the Account & Coins section. It lists a history of all the points entered. At the very bottom is the Elite Status History.

This is strange, why would the 2013 Elite Staus show up and as not qualified?

2013 Elite Status: Did Not Qualify (0 coins)
2012 Elite Status: Platinum (630 coins)

Anyone else have 2013 pop up in their History Status?

Mine is showing the same thing (though I have a whopping 10 coins at the moment for the 2013 year.)

[starchildskiss78]

Did you get all 630 coins that particular year? Your coins are cumulative, so you could have gotten 40 the year before and 590 this year.

Esquire Fox makes a good point. I reached Platinum earlier in the year (I think around March or April) but my total was not matching up. I had 580 coins when I thought I should have over 600. I emailed Club Nintendo about it and they gave me a rundown. It turned out that some of my coins were from 2011. Even know I have 230 coins even though only 10 count for the 2013 year.

[Camp]

http://i.imgur.com/2oJg3.png

[Kyle15]

Wow. I can't say I didn't expect it. :/

[Lady Jaye]

Not really keen on this year's selection. I already have two Nintendo card sets (the very nice Animal Crossings set and the hanafuda deck), so that doesn't interest me. The posters are nice but I already have more posters than I need. The calendar isn't practical enough (I'd take it if it were a full-size wall calendar like the one offered by Nintendo Power back in 2010). So, I'm left with the downloads. I already downloaded Majora's Mask when it was offered as a monthly Club Nintendo offer and I own Mario Kart on the SNES. So it seems that I'll go for Mario vs. Donkey Kong (good thing I didn't pick it up when it was also avaiable a few months ago in the Club Nintendo!).

What are you guys picking up this year?

[starchildskiss78]

I have to say that the selection is a bit disappointing. Go figure the year I get Platinum status the selection consists of playing cards, posters, the calendar I get EVERY year, and downloads. Where are the cool items like the Mario hat or the statue? I guess I'm going for the cards. Like Lady Jaye, I already have more posters than I really have room for. I already own Super Mario Kart and the other downloads don't do it for me. And I will be damned if I get a calendar again!

[RPG_Fanatic]

I thought last years platinum was bad but these are worst. I'm glad I only went to gold this year. But I guess it's better then nothing (Sony & Microsoft).

[InsaneDavid]

Lamest freaking "thank you" from a company that has made thousands of dollars off me, ever.

[geneshifter]

I was really hoping for the mario pillow. I really shouldn't be surprised, Nintendo has shown little care about America. That's OK though, they'll be the ones begging come Wii U launch. I know very few people buying that thing. Good night and good luck.

EDIT: and really, I'd just rather them not offer anything at all instead of these things.

[heybtbm]

When I was 10 or so, my brother and I decided to start our Halloween trick or treating at our neighbors who had just moved in a few months prior. Excited by what we thought would be the start of a massive candy haul, we trotted on over and rang the doorbell. It took a while but the new couple eventually opened the door. We did our best "TRICK OR TREAT" but they just stared at us confused until one said, "uh wait here a minute". The guy came back with a handful of broken Oreos...still cold from their fridge.

That's what this years Club Nintendo "prizes" are. A handful of second-hand, give 'em whatever's laying around, broken Oreos.

Nintendo Apologists: "It's Free", "First World Problems", "You should be grateful".

I guess so. I picked the playing cards (shrugs shoulders).

[Enmity]

I am relatively disappointed with the cards this year, but I guess its to be expected. I didn't even get a choice of all the other stuff though just the cards, or calendar and that was it. I wonder what happened.

[Zama]

http://i.imgur.com/2oJg3.png

There is only one way to describe the feeling:

http://youtu.be/vinR0n0xqsk

ROFL

[Esquire Fox]

I am actually excited for the playing cards. Little things like this can really spice up my collection. I hope they come in some sort of container.

[thegamezmaster]

Just checked mine and underwhelmed to say the least. Oh boy, a choice between a calender and games I already have. Meh.

[Cornelius]

Not as excited about the options this year as I was about the statue and pins, which I thought were pretty cool, but I'll go with the cards. They are okay I guess.

[joshnickerson]

I was really hoping for the gold nunchuck... I went for the posters. At this rate my future mancave will be nothing BUT Club Nintendo posters...

I have to wonder if the prizes that are awarded are inversely proportional to how many members make Platinum status... that is, the fewer people who make platinum status, the more extravagant the reward. Could be a cost thing... if there's 100,000 people who make Platinum status, it would be far more cost effective to have a print run of posters made than have 100,000 custom statues produced. Yeah, it's a bit lame, but I'm looking at it strictly from a business and budgetary point of view. If they only have so much budget set aside to produce these prizes, they'll probably go with something cheaper to ensure that everyone gets something.

And yeah, I know people are going to say "I purchased those games for the coins therefore I deserve better prizes!". For one, that's a stupid argument, you should be buying the games because you want to PLAY them, the coins earned should be a pleasant bonus. And two, I'm pretty sure Nintendo knows that many people cheat a little to reach Platinum status. Hell, I helped a few people on this board reach Platinum status just before the deadline with some un-used Club Nintendo PINs I came upon. Considering some of the changes they've made to the program over the past year, I'm positive they're aware of this.

I also wonder how many people in the US reach Platinum Status versus Japan... could be interesting to find out what the difference is, and if that does indeed affect the quality of the prizes.

I doubt this argument will persuade anyone who's dead set on the idea that "Nintendo hates America/Gamers/Freedom", but I just wanted to put a more constructive idea out there and get it off my chest. Take it as you will. I'm sure plenty will take offense and call me a brain-dead fanboy, but whatever. *shrug*

Now to see how much those gold nunchucks are going for on eBay.

*checks eBay*

Oh, f*ck that. I'll just swing by Lowe's and pick up some spray paint.

[Lothars]

I went with the trading cards but wow did nintendo drop the ball again, I can't say I am surprised because they have constantly for the last couple years.

I am dissapointed by this though.

[geneshifter]

I also want to say that if anyone doesn't want their buttons from last year I will trade you these cards for those. I like those and missed out :(

[mailman187666]

I can see why some people are underwhelmed by the choices this year, but I personally can't complain too much. A deck of playing cards is completely fine by me. Its probably not something I'd buy from a store, so if its an added bonus for my purchases throughout the year (some of which were gifts, friends giving me thier codes, or being lucky and finding them inside used games.) I'll take them. My friends and I have poker nights here and there too, so my gift from nintendo will be useful to spice up the boring traditional decks we usually use.

On a side note, although most of us already have the games they offered as downloads for Gold/Platinum members, at least they chose good ones!

I'll go ahead and say thank you to Nintendo, i appreciate it.

[Robocop2]

Since this is the first year I've achieved Platinum Status; I can't say I'm completely impressed with the offerings. But then again; they're all free stuff so I really can't complain all that much.

[Robocop2]

FYI, that snazzy 3DS game case is back in stock.

https://club.nintendo.com/rewards-details/a/24002.do

[starchildskiss78]

I actually received my cards a few weeks ago and forgot to post about it (doh!) I don't think they are bad by any means. It *is* a free gift afterall (yes, you have to buy games to get the points) and one that is unique. I liked looking at how they treated the different suits as well as the Jack, Queen, King, and Joker cards. I probably will never use them because I don't want to bend the cards!

[ScourDX]

Can't complain about the free gift. Funny thing is that registering Wii U at Nintendo club get you the same point as 3DS XL. I would think the Wii U should worth 350 coin for deluxe and 250 for regular. Instead both are 160 coins. Ouch.

[SpaceHarrier]

Just a reminder for everyone who has been sitting on coins for a couple of years: check your balance for coins expiring on June 30th!

Just go to club.nintendo.com, log in, go to "account and coins" on the upper right, then "coins and status" to find out if you are going to lose any at the end of the month.

[Aussie2B]

I used up my soon-to-expire coins on the pen case about a month ago after Nintendo sent out the emails to inform people of expiring coins. It sure is a pathetically tiny little thing. I'll probably store some GBA carts in it or something.

Is it just me or does it seem like Nintendo is phasing out physical rewards? When I got that email recently and logged in after goodness knows how long, I was shocked at how much smaller the selection is compared to how it used to be, and with everybody rushing to use up their expiring points, it's gotten smaller yet. I know they could just as well give us nothing, but it'll suck if the rewards switch exclusively to digital-only stuff. Then again, maybe this is just a temporary thing so they can get a fresh start. A lot of the current physical items are based on old games and the DS and Wii. If they introduce a bunch of new, more relevant items, this old stuff will take forever to clear out, so maybe they want to force people into claiming the less desirable goods.

[Frankie_Says_Relax]

None of my coins are expiring this cycle, thankfully because I do hope to get a Wii U at some point before they go.

[SpaceHarrier]

Is it just me or does it seem like Nintendo is phasing out physical rewards? When I got that email recently and logged in after goodness knows how long, I was shocked at how much smaller the selection is compared to how it used to be, and with everybody rushing to use up their expiring points, it's gotten smaller yet. I know they could just as well give us nothing, but it'll suck if the rewards switch exclusively to digital-only stuff. Then again, maybe this is just a temporary thing so they can get a fresh start. A lot of the current physical items are based on old games and the DS and Wii. If they introduce a bunch of new, more relevant items, this old stuff will take forever to clear out, so maybe they want to force people into claiming the less desirable goods.

Yes, I noticed this too. In addition, whenever they get a 'new thing' in, it seems to be out-of-stock very, very quickly after being added. I mean, I log in about once a month to check for new prizes, but whenever I see one (like that Luigi 3DS pouch) it is out-of-stock and stays that way until it is removed from the list. Plus, they have been giving away good Wii VC games (Super Metroid, etc.) to lure people away from the physical goods.

Ultimately, I settled for the reversible DS bag. I should have grabbed the terry cloth towel when I had the chance.

[Camp]

The Club Nintendo year closes on June 30. Hopefully the rewards won't be as shitty as last year, but they probably will be.

[The 1 2 P]

I have been hoarding....er, saving all my club Nintendo points for several years now, even keeping the ones for games I sold. After putting all the codes in I easily passed Gold status and I'm not that far away from Platinum status. So then I looked at the "rewards". A reversibel pouch? Shoelaces? Thats what counts for an actual reward? Really? Luckily I didn't have Metroid II so I used some of my points on that. I still have alot left over but theres nothing in there that even remotely interest me. I really hope they get some better rewards in the future.

[Frankie_Says_Relax]

I have been hoarding....er, saving all my club Nintendo points for several years now, even keeping the ones for games I sold. After putting all the codes in I easily passed Gold status and I'm not that far away from Platinum status. So then I looked at the "rewards". A reversibel pouch? Shoelaces? Thats what counts for an actual reward? Really? Luckily I didn't have Metroid II so I used some of my points on that. I still have alot left over but theres nothing in there that even remotely interest me. I really hope they get some better rewards in the future.

Well, free is free, but recent pickings are slim.

You've missed some of the better mid-range stuff over the years by waiting/hoarding points.

[Lady Jaye]

Well, this year's rewards are finally in.

Highlights are the 2-CD Majora's Mask OST (for Platinum only) and the downloadable dungeon crawler Sakura Samurai (which is only available via Club Nintendo and was among the 2012 Club Nintendo awards in Japan).

The rest is same old, same old -- Set of 3 posters (Wind Waker, Luigi in SMB and Pikmin) for Platinum status, the usual Nintendo calendar for Gold/Platinum, and the rest are downloadable games for Gold/Platinum:

For Wii/Wii U:
Super Smash Bros
WarioWare DIY Showcase

For 3DS:
Link's Awakening
Super Mario Land
Sakura Samurai

The Club Nintendo site is currently wonky, but keep on trying and you will access it. I ordered the Majora's Mask OST. What about you guys?