[quote name='lawdood']While the prizes are kinda meh, who am I too bitch and whine about FREE stuff, esp. when I already got a game & watch collection outta the club? This entitlement syndrome makes me sick sometimes.[/QUOTE]
While I generally agree that these rewards are lacking, I think lawdood makes some good points. To expand:
1) For years, there was no Nintendo Club in North America, and people cried foul. Now it's here and providing prizes mostly analogous to what they're getting in Japan and Europe, and people still aren't happy.
2) The gold/platinum rewards aren't the only reward you're getting for your points. They're in addition to whatever you selected from the catalog.
3) Technically, Nintendo doesn't have to give you anything. You're not buying the games for points and eventually prizes. I should hope you're buying the games to ENJOY THOSE GAMES. That's kind of the point.
I'd order the hat, but it probably won't fit my big noggin, and I don't need another bit of nerd detritus cluttering up my house, so I guess I have a date with Doc Louis. I don't have Punch-Out!! yet, so this will help me decide whether I want it anyway.