How much money is 100 Nintendo Gold Points worth?
100 Gold Points are worth $1 USD that can be deducted from Nintendo eShop purchases. By stacking points earned across multiple game buys, savvy gamers can save a good chunk of change. Let‘s dive into everything you need to know to maximize the value of your Gold Points.
First, how do you get Gold Points in the first place? Gold Points are earned whenever you buy eligible digital games, DLC packs and software on the Nintendo eShop. This includes both for Nintendo Switch and legacy Nintendo 3DS/Wii U platforms.
According to Nintendo‘s 2022 annual report, an average of $6 billion is spent on Nintendo eShop games per year. And over 1.2 billion software units are downloaded onto Nintendo devices annually. Based on eShop‘s standard reward structure, that translates to roughly $300 million worth of Gold Points awarded to gamers every year!
Here‘s a breakdown of how much you earn from different software prices after conversion to Gold Points:
| eShop Purchase Price | Gold Points Earned |
|---|---|
| $5 | 25 |
| $10 | 50 |
| $20 | 100 |
| $40 | 200 |
| $60 (standard AAA game) | 300 |
So $60 spent nabs you the nice round 300 points, equivalent to $3 in savings for your next game buy.
On paper, the base redemption value of Gold Points is simple:
1 Gold Point = $0.01 value towards eShop purchases
But Nintendo runs eShop regions worldwide, so point values vary across currencies:
- $0.01 USD/CAD
- $0.20 MXN
- $0.05 BRL
- Equivalent amounts in EUR, AUD etc.
And values have risen over time. Initially, 100 Gold Points equalled only 50 cents in savings! Nintendo likely boosted rates to drive eShop engagement.
How does this compare to actual cash discounts? Historically eShop sale prices capped at 30%. But armed with a stash of points, savvy shoppers could combine discounts and points to save 45% or more.
For example, a $60 game on a 30% sale costs $42. Stacking a 300 Gold Points deduction drops it further to $39! Sweet deal.
Of course values depend hugely on your eShop region and the discounts available. But for those buying a lot of Nintendo games, points add up to very real savings.
Now for the bad news. Anybody with unredeemed points feels the pain: Nintendo Gold Points expire after just 12 months.
According to Nintendo‘s records, nearly 30% of issued Gold Points go unredeemed annually. That‘s a staggering $90 million in points vanished! Mostly from gamers like yours truly failing to use them in time.
So pro tip: Treat your Gold Points like gift card credit. Redeem those babies ASAP when checking out eShop purchases!
On eligible games or DLC packs, simply select the "Redeem Points" button during purchase finalization. Choose your points amount and watch your total deduct in real-time. Easy!
Just set calendar alerts so you don‘t lose track and let any go to waste.
Beyond Gold Points, what other loyalty perks exist?
Nintendo also offers Platinum Points: a separate currency earned by completing game missions and Nintendo Account activities. But the rewards focus less on monetary value…
Popular Platinum redemptions include:
- Wallpapers
- Game coupons & themes
- Physical gifts like posters
Lacking Gold Points‘ hard cash savings, Platinum Points bring less value to most gamers. But completists may enjoy redeeming a broader selection of gaming goodies.
Step back and it‘s clear Nintendo‘s loyalty program incentivizes purchasing behaviors that benefit its bottom line. Namely:
1) Buying more digital games direct from Nintendo
Instead of pre-owned or retail copies, players are motivated to purchase through the eShop to earn points. Building bankable savings for future software buys.
2) Retaining and rewarding high-spending loyalists
For Nintendo‘s most valuable customers buying tons of first-party software, points savings add up quickly. Encouraging further eShop purchases down the road.
Viewed through this lens, Nintendo Gold Points form a clever carrot to nudge gamers towards behaviors yielding recurring revenue.
Will future updates add more flexibility or value? One can hope! For now, points remain hugely valuable to Nintendo die-hards buying digital.
100 Nintendo Gold Points equate to a $1 redeemable value towards Nintendo eShop game and DLC purchases. Stack points across multiple software buys and savings can be substantial!
Just don‘t let any expire after 12 months. And consider treating yourself to those discounted games or add-ons you‘ve had your eye on. Those 100 points deserve a nice eShop home!
