Well, it seems like a long-running era of getting Nintendo Switch Online perks without ever pulling out the wallet is wrapping up.
Nintendo’s keeping us on our toes with some big announcements. First up, they’re officially winding down a popular feature that’s been around since the Switch launched, and it comes shortly after Xenoblade Chronicles X is set for its re-release. There’s also news that another popular service won’t carry over to the next-gen Switch, lovingly dubbed Switch 2 by fans.
Just last night, Nintendo revealed that the My Nintendo Gold program will be discontinued starting March 25 at 12:59 a.m. ET. This program was a solid deal for Nintendo fans, offering 1% back in eShop credit for first-party physical game purchases during their first year of release, and a nice 5% on all eShop buys. There’s a bit of a silver lining, though. Games released between March 25, 2024, and the program’s end will still earn gold points for up to a year. Titles like Endless Ocean: Luminous and Xenoblade Chronicles X Definitive Edition make the cut under these conditions, but new favorites such as Pokemon Legends: Z-A and Metroid Prime 4: Beyond won’t be part of the deal.
On another note, there’s a change coming for Switch Online Vouchers. Nintendo’s updated the support page to state that these won’t be compatible with Switch 2 games. Current Nintendo Switch Online subscribers know that these vouchers have been a sweet deal—buy a pair for $99 in the U.S. and redeem them for first-party releases. While you won’t be able to use them on Switch 2 games, they’ll still be valid for future releases on the current Switch, including upcoming games like Legends Z-A and Prime 4.
It’s a bit of a shift in the landscape for Nintendo fans, but with new games and consoles on the horizon, it’s certainly an exciting time to be part of the community.
