Club Nintendo Deals ~ New Games Up (11/17-12/14)

[MrNinjaSquirrel]

Any info for missing or inaccurate additions is very much appreciated; a big thanks to all that have contributed!
 

  
 
Current Promos
N/A

E-Shop Game Rewards
Spend coins to receive a download code redeemable through the Wii Virtual Console or 3DS E-Shop.
Current batch for November 17th-December 14th:

• Pilot Wings - 200
• Vegas Stakes - 200
• Clu Clu Land - 200
• Picturebook: Pop-Up Pursuit - 250
• Tokyo Crash Mobs- 200
•  Kirby's Pinball Land - 150
•  Metroid II: Return of Samus - 150
•  Starship Defense - 200

[customspoiler="What to do if you lose your code"]
If you lost the email you can still retrieve the code.
 
Go to your Club Nintendo account page and open the "Order Inquiries" tab. Find the order number for your download
Finally, go to this page: http://www.nintendo.com/consumer/lookup/orders/lookupSupportOrder.do and fill in the form (choose "part", not "repair").
 
-Info courtesy of Teeg
[/customspoiler]

Past E-Shop and Virtual Console Games
[customspoiler=Show]
 
[customspoiler="October 2014"]
 Wrecking Crew - 200
 Kirby's Dream Course - 200
 Zoda's Revenge - 200
 Maboshi's Arcade - 200
 Kersploosh - 150
 Brain Age Express Math - 200
 3D Classics - Kid Icarus - 200
 Donkey Kong - 150[/customspoiler]
[customspoiler="September 2014"]
Mario Bros. (Wii U) - 200
Super Punch-Out!! - 250
NES Play Action Football - 200
Super Mario Bros. - 200
The Legend of Zelda - 200
Touch Solitaire - 150
Art Style: PiCTOBiTS - 200[/customspoiler]
[customspoiler="August 2014"]
 Super Mario Bros 2 - 200
 Excitebike - 200
 /    Star Fox 64 - 250
 /    Vegas Stakes  - 250
 Baseball - 150
 Puzzle League Express - 200
 Mario Golf - 200
 Dr. Mario™ Express - 200[/customspoiler]
[customspoiler="July 2014"]
 Kid Icarus 3D Classic - 200
 Metal Torrent - 200
 Donkey Kong Jr. - 200
 /    Paper Mario - 250[/customspoiler]
[customspoiler="June 2014"]
 Electroplankton Rec-Rec - 150
 Kirby's Dreamland - 150
 Kirby's Adventure - 200
 /   Mario Party 2 - 250[/customspoiler]
[customspoiler="May 2014"]
 Super Metroid - 200
 /   Mario Kart 64 - 250
 Kirby's Adventure 3D classics - 200
 Brain Age: Arts & Letters - 200[/customspoiler]
[customspoiler="April 2014"]
 Trajectile - 200
 Art Academy: First Semester - 200
 Super Mario World - 200
 /   Mario Golf - 250[/customspoiler]
[customspoiler="March 2014"]
 Kid Icarus of Myths and Monsters - 150
 Number Battle - 200
 Yoshi - 200
 /   Bonsai Barber - 250[/customspoiler]
[customspoiler="February 2014"]
 Donkey Kong Jr. - 150
 Art Style: PiCTOBiTS - 150
 Punch-Out!! Featuring Mr. Dream - 200
 Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars - 200[/customspoiler]
[customspoiler="January 2014"]
 Game & Watch: Cement Factory - 100
 Spin Six - 150
 F-Zero  (Wii U version) - 200
 1080 Snowboarding (Wii Version) - 200[/customspoiler]
[customspoiler="December 2013"]
 Super Mario 2 Lost Levels - 150
 Balloon Fight - 200
 Mario's Picross - 100
 Starship Defense - 150[/customspoiler] 
[customspoiler="November 2013"]
 The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past ~ 150
 Art Style: Cubello ~ 150
 Metroid ~ 150 
 Dillon's Rolling Western ~ 200[/customspoiler] 
[customspoiler="October 2013"]
 Touch Solitaire ~ 100
 The Legend of Zelda ~ 150
 ThruSpace ~ 150
 Mario Kart (SNES) ~ 150[/customspoiler] 
[customspoiler="September 2013"]
 Art Academy: First Semester ~ 150
 Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Minis March Again ~ 150
 Pilotwings ~ 150
 Zoda's Revenge: Star Tropics II ~ 150[/customspoiler] 
[customspoiler="August 2013"]
 Mario Golf ~ 150
 Brain Age Express: Sudoku ~ 150
 Wario's Woods ~ 150
 NES Play Action Football ~ 150[/customspoiler] 
[customspoiler="July 2013"]
Aura-Aura Climber ~ 100
Donkey Kong (Gameboy) ~ 100
Super Punch Out!! ~ 150
Star Fox 64 ~ 200[/customspoiler]
[customspoiler="June 2013"]
Metroid II: Return of Samus ~ 150
Link 'n' Launch ~ 150
Super Mario Bros. 3 ~ 150
F-Zero X ~ 200[/customspoiler]
[customspoiler="May 2013"]
3D Classics: Excitebike ~ 150
Art Style: Aquia ~ 100
Maboshi's Arcade ~ 150
Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars ~ 200[/customspoiler]
[customspoiler="April 2013"]
Kirby's Pinball Land ~ 150
3D Classics: Urban Champion ~ 150
Super Metroid ~ 150
Super Mario 64 ~ 200[/customspoiler]
[customspoiler="March 2013"]
Super Punch Out! ~ 150
Mario Tennis 64 ~ 150
Starship Defense ~ 150
Kid Icarus 3D Classic ~ 150[/customspoiler]
[customspoiler="February 2013"]
Kirby Super Star ~150
Paper Mario 64 ~ 200
Metal Torrent ~ 150
Birds and Beans ~ 100[/customspoiler]
[customspoiler="January 2013"]
Snowpack Park ~ 150
Mario Kart 64 ~ 200
Tetris ~ 150
Punch Out!! featuring Mr. Dream ~ 200[/customspoiler]
[customspoiler="December 2012"]
Mario Party 2 ~ 150
1080 ~ 150
3D Classics TwinBee ~150
Metroid II ~ 150
Brain Age Express: Sudoku ~ 150[/customspoiler]
[customspoiler="November 2012"]
ThruSpace ~ 150
Art Style Rotozoa ~ 100
Touch Solitaire ~ 100
Mario's Picross ~ 100[/customspoiler]
[customspoiler="October 2012"]
Super Punch Out!! ~ 150
Dr. Mario Online Rx ~ 100
Pro-Putt Domo ~ 100
3D Classics: Urban Champion ~ 150[/customspoiler]
[customspoiler="September 2012"]
Pop Up Pursuit ~ 150
Super Smash Bros. (N64) ~ 200
Bird and Beans ~ 100
Art Academy: First Semester ~ 150[/customspoiler]
[customspoiler="August 2012"]
Play Action Football ~ 100
Fluidity ~ 150
Tennis ~ 150
3D Classics: Excitebike ~ 150[/customspoiler]
[customspoiler="July 2012"]
Bonsai Barber ~ 150
Mario Tennis ~ 150
Golf ~ 150
Starship Defense ~ 150
Electroplankton ~ 100[/customspoiler]
[customspoiler="June 2012"]
Maboshi's Arcade ~ 150
Kirby Super Star ~ 150
Brain Age Express: Sudoku ~ 150
Donkey Kong Mayhem (100 levels) ~ 100[/customspoiler]
[customspoiler="May 2012"]
Eco Shooter: Plant 530 ~ 200
Snowpack Park ~ 150
3D Classics: Urban Champion ~ 150
ArtStyle: Pictobits ~ 150[/customspoiler]
[customspoiler="April 2012"]
Excitebike World Rally ~ 200
You, Me, and the Cubes ~ 200
Metal Torrent ~ 150[/customspoiler]
[customspoiler="March 2012"]
Art Style: Cubello ~ 100
Radar Mission ~ 100
Mario's Picross ~ 100[/customspoiler]
[customspoiler="February 2012"]
Mario Party 2 ~ 150
Art Academy First Semester ~ 150[/customspoiler]
[customspoiler="January 2012"]
The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask ~ 150
Dr. Mario Online ~ 100
Dr. Mario Express ~ 150
Kirby's Dreamland (Gameboy) ~ 100[/customspoiler]
[customspoiler="December 2011"]
Fluidity ~ 150
Super Mario Kart ~ 100
Mario vs. Donkey Kong Minis March Again ~ 150
3D Classics: Xevious ~ 100[/customspoiler][/customspoiler]
 
Intend to Buy Surveys
Receive +10 bonus coins when you register these games in future.
Hello Kitty & Sanrio Friends, Racing - expires Nov 4
Sonic Boom -  expires Nov 4
Tetris Ultimate -  expires Nov 4
Disney Planes, Fire & Rescue - expires Oct 28

Winx Club, Saving Alfea - expires Oct 21
Bayonetta 2 - expires Oct 17
Fantasy Life - expires Oct 17

Pokémon Art Academy -  expires Oct 17
Harvest Moon, The Lost Valley - expires Oct 14



New Release Surveys
Receive +10 bonus coins by filling out these bonus surveys within four weeks of a game's launch.
Super Smash Bros. - expires Nov 2
Hyrule Warriors - expires Oct 26
Cooking Mama 5: Bon Appétit! - expires Oct 16
THEATRHYTHM FINAL FANTASY CURTAIN CALL - expires Oct 16

Gold and Platinum Rewards
Reward are announced after the Club Nintendo year ends on June 30th for those that reach Gold or Platinum status.
 
2014 Platinum Rewards

• Game & Wario
• NES Remix
• EarthBound
• Dr. Luigi
• Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D
• Fluidity: Spin Cycle
• Dillon's Rolling Western
• Mario and Donkey Kong: Minis on the Move

2014 Gold Rewards

• Ice Climber
• Kid Icarus
• Super Mario Bros. 
• Zelda II: The Adventure of Link
• Donkey Kong 3
• Wario Land 2
• Metroid
• Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins

Gold Rewards
[customspoiler="Previous Years"]

• 2013 - Nintendo Calender OR Free Downloadable Game. Options included:Super Smash Bros. (Wii Virtual Console)
• Warioware D.I.Y. Showcase (WiiWare)
• The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening DX (3DS Virtual Console)
• Super Mario Land (3DS Virtual Console)
• Sakura Samurai: Art of the Sword (3DS E-Shop)

[*]2012- Nintendo Calender OR Free Downloadable Game. Options included:

• Super Mario Kart
• Metroid II: Return of Samus
• Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Minis March Again
• The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask

[*]2009-2011 - Nintendo Calender
[/customspoiler]
Platinum Rewards
[customspoiler="Previous Years"]

• 2013 - Choice of one of the following:Three Poster Set (Zelda, Luigi, and Pikmin)
• Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask OST

[*]2012 - Club Nintendo Poster Set OR Platinum Playing Cards
[*]2011 - Mario & Friends Pin Badge Collection
[*]​2010 - Club Nintendo Figurine (Came in "?" Block Box)
[*]2009 - Doc Louis's Punch-Out!! OR Club Nintendo Mario Plush Hat
[/customspoiler]
 
[customspoiler=Basic FAQ]
-Basic Info/Overview
For those that don't know Club Nintendo is Nintendo's loyalty program of sorts. When you buy a Nintendo Console/Handheld, or a Nintendo published game, you get a pin that you can enter online to earn points. These points can then be redeemed for games, accesories, and collectable items. If you earn enough points in a Club year (300 for gold and 600 for platinum, which each have their own reward), you also receive a free bonus only available to a select few. You can read the full list of eligible titles, as well as their point value, here.

-How do I get coins for digital purchases?
In order to earn coins on any digital games you purchase on Wii/WiiU/3DS/DSi, you will first need to link you Club Nintendo account to your system. Instruction for doing so can be found here.

-Can I play the Wii games on my Wii-U?
Yes, but as of now, only in Wii mode. Native Wii U support might be added later on, but will most likely require the typical $1-$1.50 fee to transfer over.

-How do I play Wii games on Wii U
You will need to enter Wii mode on your Wii U. Instructions on doing so can be found http://www.nintendo.com/consumer/systems/wiiu/en_na/features_wii_menu.jsp?menu=wii_shop&submenu=wup-wiishop-ht-redeem-code"]here[/url].

- If I don't spend coins for the entire year long period, do they carry over?
Yes, you can keep your coins past the Club Nintendo year they are redeemed in. However they only count toward gold or platinum status for the Nintendo year (june 31st-july 1st) they are redeemed in. After two years old points do expire, so make sure to spend them before then. You can check Coin balance information while, logged in, at the top of the page.

- Is there a list of previous rewards for people who accumulated a lot of coins? Similar to Square Enix's Ultimate Tier?
The extra rewards for Club Nintendo are for those that accumulate enough points to hit Gold or Platinum status (300 and 600 points, respectively). If you reach the required number of points in a year, Nintendo will automatically send you your reward, with no cost to you or your points.

- Does the list of eligible games update as the games come out or on some sort of schedule?
The list will be updated before the game comes out, do to things like Pre-Purchase bonus points. Any game you can buy, should already be on the list and able to redeem.

- When do they typically announce the prizes for Gold and Platinum?
Generally at the end of a Club Nintendo year, but don't expect it anytime soon. Usually it will take at least several months for them to ship it out.

- Is there anyway to enter multiple copies of the same game or device?
They have an option in the settings to make your account a family account, which means it can have sub-accounts that allows you to register multiple copies of games. The coins from all the sub-accounts all end up in the same main account coin collection.

- How does the site show what balance of coins you have to spend versus your total towards Gold/Platinum?
At the top right of the screen you can see the coin counter. The big number is your total coin amount, and the bar underneath is your progress to gold or platinum status. The number needed to advance is displayed directly above said bar. Redeeming your coins does not affect this counter, as it is only reset at the end of the year.

- How can I tell if a code is valid without redeeming it?
If you want to check if a code has already been registered, without registering it yourself, all you need to do is try entering the code while you are logged out. It will tell you the name of the game, as well as how many points it is worth, without activating it.[/customspoiler]

Let me know if I missed anything or if something breaks!

 

[admiralvic]

I feel that I'm liking all of vic's posts since the rewards were announced.

I noticed that. I would say it was the apocalypse, but Nintendo met expectations and failed to deliver, so the universe still makes sense to me... sort of.

 

[amusedtoe]

I noticed that. I would say it was the apocalypse, but Nintendo met expectations and failed to deliver, so the universe still makes sense to me... sort of.

Yeah, it's not often you can give people exactly what they expected of you while still completely disappointing them.

 

[nitrosmob]

I think i'm likely just going to get Mario & Donkey Kong March of the Minis....I was thinking of getting a gold reward + 5 dollars paypal but eh I don't know I'll think about it for the next few days.

 

[antlp89]

Looking at my platinum rewards for previous years, I'm actually cool with a $30 game download.

Will probably get more out of this year's reward than all of the previous trinkets.

I get some of the complaining but it's not like we didn't get something nice this year.

Given a choice between the past few years of prizes and this year's, I'd probably choose the download code. I understand that I am biased because I didn't own DK yet and it was on my wishlist.

But with all of the complaining, what do you guys expect is a reasonable platinum reward?

 

[kojiro]

But with all of the complaining, what do you guys expect is a reasonable platinum reward?

Personally, I thought the Majora's Mask CD was the best platinum reward that we've gotten. I didn't have too much of a problem with the idea of downloadable platinum rewards. However, I would've perferred a much stronger Wii U option than what was offered (Since I don't own a 3DS). The digital rewards also don't account for any people who might just own a Wii or Original DS only.

 

[admiralvic]

But with all of the complaining, what do you guys expect is a reasonable platinum reward?

Ignoring the fact that this is an impossible to answer question, I think there are a number of ways Nintendo could have gone about this better.

1. The infamous Amiibo. I think one of the best things Nintendo could have done is offered people a uniquely designed Amiibo, since the toy probably isn't going to cost THAT much (do you really think these figures will cost $30+ each?), it can be displayed even if you don't use it, it has a function that pushes the Amiibo system (if you look into the GS managers claim that SSBU comes with an Amiibo, you'll see a lot of people thinking thats a smart move to push the toy) and it would give platinum (sorry, but this is too much for gold) a fairly cheap to produce item (they would just need to change the color path and maybe print some packages. The mold and such would be done).
2. Some sort of neat nicknack. One of the best and worst things about Club Nintendo is that Nintendo will offer other regions items I didn't know I could want or that they would make. One of my favorite rewards from Japan was the 8 bit pillow, since I thought it was a neat, but somewhat formal way to display my love of gaming. Some people might not feel the same way and I respect that, but I always thought CN was at its best offering weird items that made me scramble to spend my coins. Shame NA never got the same love...
3. Something, really ANYTHING Unique. Typically when it comes to people who support MSRP threads, pointless news threads, Club Nintendo, PlayStation Plus, Games with Gold and really anything else in the same ball park, it's their perception versus your perception. Usually the people against have some logical reason (there is a super thread for that, avoid clutter, they own the games, the program seems useless) and the other group have their own logic (they don't read the super thread, the site isn't active enough to miss out on a deal, life doesn't revolve around your whims). While I don't want to turn this post into commentary about how much I dislike this stuff, I would say that the worst part of the rewards is that the actual value is very subjective. Ultimately the more you support Nintendo, the less choice you're going to have with this prize, which feels like a slap in the face. I know some might not like my use of that idiom, but it's an accurate statement. It's hard to say a fair and good prize for your most loyal and highest spending demographic is a prize that relies on you finding value in something you opted out of buying or possibly reselling the physical version.
4. Equal Value. Like I've mentioned a number of times already, it's annoying how platinum doesn't have a unified cost. I would have liked the prizes significantly more if Game & Wario / DK were never offered, since I have a hard time rationalizing a game that costs half as much being a better or even fair choice. As I explained already, this might have worked if we got $30 and could spend that on a small selection of games to make everything even, but in its current form it is just silly.
5. Don't Make it look like Shit Next to Another Promotion! Arguably the worst thing about this prize is how bad it looks next to the Mario Kart 8 promo. Not only is the Mario Kart 8 promo significantly less work (1 survey vs around 21), but it also cuts out the wait time, gave out better and more expensive prizes and ultimately made me question the logic that went into this.

I could keep going, but I think I'm at the point where I accept I don't like the prizes and people are sick of hearing me mention why I dislike them. xD

 

[io]

It's hard to say a fair and good prize for your most loyal and highest spending demographic is a prize that relies on you finding value in something you opted out of buying or possibly reselling the physical version.

Yeah, this is where I think it goes wrong. The most loyal customers probably had most, if not all, of these games. And if they didn't have all of them, it was probably one of the $3.99 ones they hadn't gotten yet.

Arguably the worst thing about this prize is how bad it looks next to the Mario Kart 8 promo. Not only is the Mario Kart 8 promo significantly less work (1 survey vs around 21), but it also cut out the wait time, gave out better and more expensive prizes and ultimately made me question the logic that went into this.

Yep, this is a good point too. And with this juxtaposition of promos, no one can argue that a better selections of games for platinum would have cost Nintendo much. They gave out 3 AAA games (and a 4th option in Wii Party U that is arguably better than any of these rewards) like they were candy at Halloween with the MK8 promo. You have to figure the platinum rate is much, much smaller than the total number of MK8 free game redemptions.

 

[DRV]

I ended up just picking Game & Wario based on DDP value.

Sounds like most of us are pissed.

I was too.

 

[matrix9280]

If anything with all the people complaining next year platinum award should be extra special to make up for it. Or not.

 

[blinknot4]

I went with Game & Wario simply for the Digital Deluxe points - which just put my eshop balance at $15... Shovel Knight here I come!

 

[ajh2298]

How long do I have to pick my reward? I don't think I will be hooking my sons WiiU back up till his bday at the end of September. Will I be ok doing that or should I pick it now? How long after I pick it is the code valid for? Is it like the mk8 promo codes with a limited window to download?

 

[OldSchoolGaming4Life]

Looking at my platinum rewards for previous years, I'm actually cool with a $30 game download.

Will probably get more out of this year's reward than all of the previous trinkets.

I get some of the complaining but it's not like we didn't get something nice this year.

Given a choice between the past few years of prizes and this year's, I'd probably choose the download code. I understand that I am biased because I didn't own DK yet and it was on my wishlist.

But with all of the complaining, what do you guys expect is a reasonable platinum reward?

Mario Kart 8, 2-disc complete OST CD.

 

[benjamouth]

If anything with all the people complaining next year platinum award should be extra special to make up for it. Or not.

Oh god !!!

Sorry I always seem to quote your posts but do you really think things are going to get better when by all accounts they've been getting worse for the last couple of years. False hope seems to be half the problem here.

I'm looking at it this way, last year I got a downloadable game worth $5, this year I got one worth $30, seems like an improvement to me.

 

[matrix9280]

Oh god !!!

Sorry I always seem to quote your posts but do you really think things are going to get better when by all accounts they've been getting worse for the last couple of years. False hope seems to be half the problem here.

I'm looking at it this way, last year I got a downloadable game worth $5, this year I got one worth $30, seems like an improvement to me.

You contradict yourself. You say they're getting worse but then say it's an improvement. Which one is it?

There has never been this type of backlash. If enough people speak up about it then Nintendo will have to respond.

Enough people protested Xbone and Microsoft changed everything. Do the same with Nintendo and see what happens. It's worth a shot.

Or you can continue to bitch and moan about it in this thread. Either way I'm done with this issue.

 

[Blade3D]

Broke down and got NES Remix, most people were offering less then that to trade/buy DKCR3D. Plus, this gets me another $5 eshop combined with me converting Mario Kart 8 to digital (Madden Preorder Walmart trade-in), and Game & Wario, I can now get Earthbound for free as well.

 

[ctclements]

I'm really glad I went with DKR, even though I already played it on the Wii.  It's a great game and I didn't even come close to 100%ing it when I played through it a couple years ago.  As much complaining as there is, I'm much more happy with this than my 3 posters that are still sitting in the tube.

 

[dmaul1114]

Still amazed at the amount of gamers bitching about getting a choice of a game as a reward.

But it's Nintendo and the biggest portion of their fanbase are kids and nerds, so I guess they should have known better and offered up a figure or plushie or posters or some other kiddie/nerdy shit along with the games to keep everyone happy.

 

[CocheseUGA]

Still amazed at the amount of gamers bitching about getting a choice of a game as a reward.

But it's Nintendo and the biggest portion of their fanbase are kids and nerds, so I guess they should have known better and offered up a figure or plushie or posters or some other kiddie/nerdy shit along with the games to keep everyone happy.

If you already bought the digital versions of all the games listed, what then? You get nothing, not even a little trinket. I think that's why people were suggesting at least a set amount of free credit to use as one pleased.

 

[m3talst0rm]

How long do I have to pick my reward? I don't think I will be hooking my sons WiiU back up till his bday at the end of September. Will I be ok doing that or should I pick it now? How long after I pick it is the code valid for? Is it like the mk8 promo codes with a limited window to download?

The selection period ends August 15, so you might as well pick now. As far as codes expiring, I've heard from a couple different people on here that the codes won't expire as long as the game is still available to download on the eshop(this is in regards to the monthly game codes so I assume that rule applies to the gold and platinum rewards.)
The only time I've heard of a Nintendo game code expiring was with the Pokémon promotion. With that you had to submit the qualifying game pin by one date, select which version of Pokémon you wanted by another date, and DL it by a final date.

 

[benjamouth]

You contradict yourself. You say they're getting worse but then say it's an improvement. Which one is it?

There has never been this type of backlash. If enough people speak up about it then Nintendo will have to respond.

Enough people protested Xbone and Microsoft changed everything. Do the same with Nintendo and see what happens. It's worth a shot.

Or you can continue to bitch and moan about it in this thread. Either way I'm done with this issue.

Well when I said getting worse I meant that's my perception of what everyone else thinks.

My first plat reward was last year so I've never had any of the decent physical stuff. I got a downloadable game last year and a better one this year.

You're right though, unless people tell Nintendo that they're not happy nothing will change. I'm just not sure it will based on things like the Japanese Club Nintendo consistently getting better (perception of others again) things than the US and EU getting no rewards at all (Gold and Plat stuff anyway). Those problems have never been addressed.

 

[Brachabre]

After some time thinking, I chose NES Remix. Didn't get another $5 out of it to bring my total eShop DDP rewards to $15 to get shovel knight, but man is this game addicting due to the time challenges. I still want to wait and see what Yacht Club games does with SK crossbuy. Idk though, it's taking a great act of patience for something that may never come!

Was about to get either DKR3D, but I'm spoiled with DK:Tropical Freeze and don't really care to digress to an inferior version (my opinion), or Game & Wario really just for DDP, but despite the having some really fun and fresh mini-games (Gamer), it seems to have a ton of filler and I thought "how long will I and others actually play this?" and it eats up like 4 GB. Even though NES Remix is a single-player experience, I can totally see others having fun with this playing in-turns trying to get rainbow'd triple stars and it's 1/10 the file size thus sparing my 7.6GB left of 32GB *shakes fist at Nintendo once again for the choice of internal storage*. 

 

[Chrono Gear]

I think I need some help, it's only letting me select one game from the Platinum list. Surely they aren't giving away one measly game for reaching Platinum status this year, right? What does the Gold level get you? A thanks for nothing kick in the balls?

Seriously though, this is a better prize than the last few years of garbage (playing cards and buttons were neat, but ulitmately just taking up valuable real estate in my home) but it's pretty pathetic to only give one game when it's a digital distribution (if this was a game being mailed to me then okay, now we've got something). Seriously, Gold gets one and Platinum gets two. Seems perfectly reasonable imo. Don't limit gold members to the cheaper/older games only, that seems like an insult to them.

I guess I have no choice but to go with Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D since it's the best value of the group. Too bad cause otherwise I would gladly get NES Remix for the fun of it. Actually after thinking about it for a moment I may just get remix anyway since I'd rather have a cart anyway. Hmm..

 

[matrix9280]

If you already bought the digital versions of all the games listed, what then? You get nothing, not even a little trinket. I think that's why people were suggesting at least a set amount of free credit to use as one pleased.

 

[matrix9280]

If you already bought the digital versions of all the games listed, what then? You get nothing, not even a little trinket. I think that's why people were suggesting at least a set amount of free credit to use as one pleased.

I agree. It's like christmas. If you can't think of something nice to give just give a gift card.

 

[dmaul1114]

If you already bought the digital versions of all the games listed, what then? You get nothing, not even a little trinket. I think that's why people were suggesting at least a set amount of free credit to use as one pleased.

Of course. I've said throughout the thread that they should scrap the coins and reward system and just have people enter codes and complete surveys that earn points toward eShop credit. Basically extend the digital deluxe promo to retail games too--with surveys added so they still get that marketing feedback.

My point was more that they're selling like shit as they've been catering to their niche of kids and long time fans, and that's had them see every single console sell less than the one before it other than the Wii blip.

They need to broaden out of that market, and moving away from rewards like plushies, figures, posters that no one other than that niche wants is one way to start doing that if they can get a reward system that appeals to more adult gamers. Though it will be hard to put a system in place that gives better value than PS+, even if there system is free other than game purchases and time to enter codes and take surveys.

If they can't broaden their market then they should just stop with hardware and try selling their games to the bigger markets on Sony and MS platformers. But their too proud to do that, so they'll either figure out a way to get buy and just go under if they're sales decline again the next generation or two.

 

[maximumzero]

other than the Wii blip.

I'm sorry...but in what context is over 100 million units sold a "blip"?

 

[amusedtoe]

How long do I have to pick my reward? I don't think I will be hooking my sons WiiU back up till his bday at the end of September. Will I be ok doing that or should I pick it now? How long after I pick it is the code valid for? Is it like the mk8 promo codes with a limited window to download?

You have to pick your reward by August 15th but unlike the MK8 promo you should have a really long time to actually redeem the code.

 

[dmaul1114]

I'm sorry...but in what context is over 100 million units sold a "blip"?

It's a blip in that it bucked the downward trend and wasn't maintained as the Wii U has no chance of even getting close to the 22 million the GameCube sold.

It was a huge success. But clearly a one time one. So a blip on the trendline that's been going sharply down every generation after the NES except for that one.

 

[admiralvic]

I'm looking at it this way, last year I got a downloadable game worth $5, this year I got one worth $30, seems like an improvement to me.

Eh...

Last year the downloadable games were a gold prize and Nintendo offered games worth up to $10 dollars. This year they're offering the same tier of people games worth up to $5 dollars, so it has definitely declined. Anyway, the games are only worth $30 if you want the games worth $30. Thats not going to be everyone on this site, since Game & Wario was <$15 a few times and I am certain you could have found a good deal on DKCR3D in the past year or years if you want to be semantics since it's a port. If you have both games or don't want one of them, the prize quickly drops to $15 then $10 then either G&W for points or $5. Furthermore, many of the past year prizes might not have been popular, but I recall them selling for around $15 when they were new. This is only a few dollars less than what DKCR or Game & Wario trade in for, though certainly more than what people have offered me for my platinum prize (most offers have been $7 - $8 dollars).

They need to broaden out of that market, and moving away from rewards like plushies, figures, posters that no one other than that niche wants is one way to start doing that if they can get a reward system that appeals to more adult gamers. Though it will be hard to put a system in place that gives better value than PS+, even if there system is free other than game purchases and time to enter codes and take surveys.

If they can't broaden their market then they should just stop with hardware and try selling their games to the bigger markets on Sony and MS platformers. But their too proud to do that, so they'll either figure out a way to get buy and just go under if they're sales decline again the next generation or two.

The funny thing is that many people would be delighted to get figures and they offer more games than probably everything else combined x 3 or 4. If you want the obvious truth, Nintendo needs to make Club Nintendo worthwhile for people to stop complaining, but Nintendo is hellbent on playing it safe. Instead of offering bold games that could result in a lost sale like NES Remix, they instead stick to the same classic they've rereleased 9 times already and holds no value for someone thats owned a Wii U for a year. Instead of pushing products and trying to hype things, they stick to the classics that everyone has played. Sure there are a few exceptions, but for the most part I would say everyone here has played 60%+ of the digital games they've offered in one form or another.

I think the other part of the problem is that Nintendo goes from one extreme to another with no rhyme or rhythm. Take the GBA Ambassador games, how come Nintendo can literally give away 10 special games that are still not for sale, yet platinum reward members get offered $5 - $15 dollar games? Why do an awesome promotion for Mario Kart 8, which could drum up interest in the program and then give the people that put in more time / money / effort something less? I think these are the type of questions people ask themselves and it's hard to really get an answer.

 

[maximumzero]

It's a blip in that it bucked the downward trend and wasn't maintained as the Wii U has no chance of even getting close to the 22 million the GameCube sold.

It was a huge success. But clearly a one time one. So a blip on the trendline that's been going sharply down every generation after the NES except for that one.

So was the PS3 a blip as well, since it won't be getting anywhere near the 155 million that the Playstation 2 sold?

 

[zeb06]

So was the PS3 a blip as well, since it won't be getting anywhere near the 155 million that the Playstation 2 sold?

Lol yeah...and I think hes forgetting the some 150 million + Nintendo DS systems sold, around 45 million + 3DS systems sold,...i think Nintendo is doing just fine. Their one time blip was actually two blips combined with the Wii and DS I suppose. Wasnt it announce a few months ago that Nintendo was worth about $18 billion compared to Sonys $17 billion total for all departments. I mean yeah, I wish they would change a lot of their thinking but they seem to be doing just fine maintaining their old ways.

 

[jrr6415sun]

Looking at my platinum rewards for previous years, I'm actually cool with a $30 game download.

wait which one is worth $30?

 

[plus1zero]

wait which one is worth $30?

DKCR and GW

 

[Bobby's World]

Game & Wario
Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D

 

[Bobby's World]

DKCR and GW

Beat me to it lol

 

[benjamouth]

Yeah I know G&W was $16 at BBY months ago because some idiot bumped the thread the other day

I didn't have a Wii U then so I didn't get it, I guess saying it's worth around $30 would be a better way of putting it.

 

[dmaul1114]

So was the PS3 a blip as well, since it won't be getting anywhere near the 155 million that the Playstation 2 sold?

The PS3 was definitely a big disappointment for Sony, even though it ended up neck and neck with the 360 worldwide. It was still a huge market shrinakage from the PS2.

But to be fair, the console gaming market has just shrunk from those levels with other hobbies pulling people away, and a lot of casuals just being fine with tablet/phone/facebook games.

In any case, it's a totally different situations. Here's Nintendo's sales by generation through the Wii:

Clearly the Wii was a blip in the trend, given the long decline and that the Wii U is estimated a 5-6 million sold and will need a big turnaround to even hit 15 million.

Lol yeah...and I think hes forgetting the some 150 million + Nintendo DS systems sold, around 45 million + 3DS systems sold,...i think Nintendo is doing just fine. Wasnt it announce a few months ago that Nintendo was worth about $18 billion compared to Sonys $17 billion total for all departments. I mean yeah, I wish they would change a lot of their thinking but they seem to be doing just fine maintaining their old ways.

You're just making my point with the 3DS that won't even come close to selling half as many as the DS, and won't even get near the 80 million PSPs sold. And that's in the handheld market that's long been their bread and butter.

Yeah, they're sitting on a bunch of cash from the HUGE successes of the DS and 3DS. But that won't last for every if they're market size keeps shrinking. And that's why they're trying to get into Quality of Life stuff, jump on the Skylanders bandwagon with their Amiibo (or whatever they're called) figures to generate more revenue streams.

They're just out of touch with the gaming market. Most moved away from cartoony mascot games to shooters, RPGs, GTA type games, sports sims etc. the past couple generations and they never adapted. And now they're losing the kiddy market to with more and more kids growing up with phones and tablets and Minecraft and Angry Birds instead of Mario.

That declining trend is back, and both the 3DS and Wii U are huge sales disappointments (abject failure in the Wii U case) compared to their predecessor. They've got to figure something out for next gen as they'll be in very dire straights if they see declines again.

There talk of getting their console and handheld on a unified OS and having all their games available for both could be a big help. Both the 3DS and Wii U libraries aren't great for someone like me who's sick of a lot of their franchises. Combine the two together with all those games ported/scaled to both and that's a solid library. In any case, they need some outside the box thinking if they're going to find a way to get profitable again, much less get back to those super heights of the DS and Wii.

They'd have to change drastically to get me to buy another console--and I've owned everything they put out sans the Virtual Boy. They just haven't aged with me. A game like Destiny is the prime example of the type of experience I enjoy these days. Top line realistic graphics, big world to explore, at least a semi interesting story and setting, and ability to play online with my friends. Unless Nintendo buys up some developers, they just don't have the in house talent to make those games, and they can't put out top level hardware to get ports of multiplats as people won't pay $400 for a Nintendo console.

 

[zeb06]

You're just making my point with the 3DS that won't even come close to selling half as many as the DS, and won't even get near the 80 million PSPs sold. And that's in the handheld market that's long been their bread and butter.

Lol so youre saying you think the 3DS is done? Its been out 3 years and sold about 15 million a year on average. The DS was out 7 years and sold 155 million, roughly 22 million a year. I believe the 3DS will out sale the PSPs 80 million, it definitely will at least get close. Compare that to how the PSPs successor is doing, the Vita has sold only around 10 million in nearly the same timespan as the 3DS. I think they are well in control of the handheld market, their only competition they have are phones/tablets, which the majority of them suck. I dont think they expect an upward trend on each new console, especially when the previous consoles were basically record breaking sales. Again, I agree that I wish they would change drastically but I think they are perfectly content with how they are handling change at a snails pace, and they dont seem to be affected too much so far. I too have owned basically every Nintendo system since the original NES (including most all of the competing consoles as well) but their core games no one can match, and its been tried quite often. I waited until MK8 to get the Wii U and I have to say I think they just didnt market it very well. It would have helped if it was a little more powerful and they had full 3rd party support, but I think the thing is awesome. It completely blew away what little expectations I had about it.

 

[dmaul1114]

Lol so youre saying you think the 3DS is done? Its been out 3 years and sold about 15 million a year on average. The DS was out 7 years and sold 155 million, roughly 22 million a year. I believe the 3DS will out sale the PSPs 80 million, it definitely will at least get close. Compare that to how the PSPs successor is doing, the Vita has sold only around 10 million in nearly the same timespan as the 3DS. I think they are well in control of the handheld market, their only competition they have are phones/tablets, which the majority of them suck. I dont think they expect an upward trend on each new console, especially when the previous consoles were basically record breaking sales.

They've already mostly abandoned it to try to jump start the Wii U.

There's no system seller potential games announced for it other than Smash Bros, which is also getting a Wii U version. I loved my 3DS the past couple of years. But it's getting ditched once I clear out DKCR and Shovel Knight as there's literally nothing out I haven't played that interests me, and nothing announced that interests me.

I also don't think they'll give the 3DS a lot of time. With the Wii U not selling, they really need to get a new console out late 2015, early 2016 at the latest. And if they go the uniform platform route they've discussed, they'll want a new portable at/near the same time.

Anyway, the mobile stuff is the real threat. If they lose the kids to mobile, they're in deep shit. Their market was always built by hooking kids with Mario, Pokemon etc., and having enough stay fans as adults to keep playing those games instead of moving on purely to Sony/MS/PC or quitting gaming. The Vita shit sales already show there's no real adult market for portables, most are just fine playing CoD etc. on their big screen and dicking around on their phones/tablets other times. Keeping kids is their only hope.

 

[matrix9280]

I accept Nintendo for who they are. It's really a waste of time to expect them to be someone else.

 

[zeb06]

They've already mostly abandoned it to try to jumps start the Wii U.

There's no system seller potential games announced for it other than Smash Bros, which is also getting a Wii U version. I loved my 3DS the past couple of years. But it's getting ditched once I clear out DKCR and Shovel Knight as there's literally nothing out I haven't played that interests me, and nothing announced that interests me.

I also don't think they'll give the 3DS a lot of time. With the Wii U not selling, they really need to get a new console out late 2015, early 2016 at the latest. And if they go the uniform platform route they've discussed, they'll want a new portable at/near the same time.

Anyway, the mobile stuff is the real threat. If they lose the kids to mobile, they're in deep shit. They're market was always built by hooking kids with Mario, Pokemon etc., and having enough stay fans as adults to keep playing those games instead of moving on purely to Sony/MS/PC or quitting gaming. The Vita shit sales already show there's no real adult market for portables. Keeping kids is their only hope.

Yeah I have to say I disagree with your views on the 3DS though. I dont see them making any new console until probably 2017 on either front, late 2016 at the earliest. I think you underestimate the power of Smash Bros lol. I personally am not the greatest fan of them but its nearly one of their biggest games and the fact that its portable for the first time could be huge, not to mention they are about to release the Amiibo figures along side it which could be big as well. Also, two new pokemon games at the end of the year will push sales again. And at some point, the thought of a Skylanders type Pokemon with collectable Amiibo characters, look out haha.

 

[dmaul1114]

Yeah I have to say I disagree with your views on the 3DS though. I dont see them making any new console until probably 2017 on either front, late 2016 at the earliest. I think you underestimate the power of Smash Bros lol. I personally am not the greatest fan of them but its nearly one of their biggest games and the fact that its portable for the first time could be huge, not to mention they are about to release the Amiibo figures along side it which could be big as well. Also, two new pokemon games at the end of the year will push sales again. The thought of a Skylanders type Pokemon with collectable Amiibo characters, look out haha.

Time will tell. If they wait until 2017, I don't think they'll ever have another successful console. The Wii U is already an afterthought to core gamers; the longer they go with no new buzz on the console front the more irrelevant they become to the mainstream gaming market.

And maybe they just shouldn't worry about that and should just focus on portables and kids and not chase after the console gamer crowd that's more interested in the types of gaming Sony and MS delivers. The core gamer crowd just doesn't care about cartoony mascot games--hence the lackluster sales of stuff like Rayman compared to shooters, GTA type games on Sony and MS systems etc.

Stuff like Amiibo's, portable Smash Bros etc. definitely still appeal to the kid market and their diehard fans. Maybe they can find ways like that to generate more interest and just make a tidy profit off their smaller niche and just forget about core gamers. Put out hardware that launches at cheaper prices ($150 max for portables, $250 max for a console) that they make a profit on from day one and keep selling their first party stuff at full MSRP for years like they've always done. Make money that way and don't piss away profit with things like the Wii U gamepad that drive up hardware costs and have them losing money and unable to drop price fast enough to increase sales.

 

[Chrono Gear]

And at some point, the thought of a Skylanders type Pokemon with collectable Amiibo characters, look out haha.

They had that last year but almost immediately abandoned it for some reason. Pokemon Rumble U had a set of ~18 figures I think. I'm still missing 4 of them to have a complete set. The game itself was really weak but could be fun in short bursts. The figures were *sigh* Gamestop exclusive and the stores only got maybe two shipments before they stopped selling the figures. I'd love/hate to see a Pokemon Skylanders clone. I'd probably pay handsomely to get figures of my all time favorites, especially Golem.

 

[maximumzero]

They're just out of touch with the gaming market. Most moved away from cartoony mascot games to shooters, RPGs, GTA type games, sports sims etc. the past couple generations and they never adapted.

To be fair, the biggest reason I'm still primarily a Nintendo gamer is BECAUSE they didn't switch over to making shooters nonstop. They're fine now and again but Jesus Christ, a little variety doesn't hurt.

 

[SaraAB]

Nintendo has already lost to the tablets and smartphones but the problem with those is they require wifi and wifi is not everywhere. A lot of tablet/smartphone games will not start up without wifi or a data connection

Nintendo seems to still have the core market with their franchises, but as of now it's gonna be up to the adult to introduce the kids to mario and the other franchises instead of just handing them their old iPhone. Most kids I know have a tablet... Every kid here has a tablet or an Ipod touch but most also have a 3ds... They want to play the franchise games like mario, Zelda and Pokemon.

 

[zeb06]

To be fair, the biggest reason I'm still primarily a Nintendo gamer is BECAUSE they didn't switch over to making shooters nonstop. They're fine now and again but Jesus Christ, a little variety doesn't hurt.

Exactly...leave that to third parties IMO, which they dont have lol. When Nintendo stops being Nintendo is when they will be done...their core games/IPs have remained pretty solid and will continue to do so. Now they could add some extra new IPs but generally if they go outside their box, they just dont sell very well. Yeah, the core gamers buy it up but not the generic gamers who are just looking for the next CoD/GTA.

 

[Bobby's World]

I also don't think they'll give the 3DS a lot of time. With the Wii U not selling, they really need to get a new console out late 2015, early 2016 at the latest.

Lol wrong & wrong...

I guess you haven't heard of Pokemon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire

There's no way that Nintendo is releasing a new console in 2016 lol

 

[Lumas101]

Anyone calling the Wii U dead hasn't been paying attention. Mario Kart 8 led to huge console sales, and I expect Smash to have a big impact, even assuming that it won't come with a free game promotion. Meanwhile, Nintendo had a good reaction from E3, and I've seen enough of these message boards for PS4 and XB1 to know that they are still waiting on their big-name games, too. I'm not saying that Nintendo won't come out of this gen in 3rd place, but someone has to be third and it doesn't mean that you don't remain profitable.

 

[rlse9]

Don't Make it look like Shit Next to Another Promotion! Arguably the worst thing about this prize is how bad it looks next to the Mario Kart 8 promo. Not only is the Mario Kart 8 promo significantly less work (1 survey vs around 21), but it also cuts out the wait time, gave out better and more expensive prizes and ultimately made me question the logic that went into this.

I agree with the rest of your points but with this one it's clear why Nintendo made the Mario Kart 8 promo so good, they wanted to move consoles and based on the June numbers it worked fairly well. Even if they released the coolest platinum reward ever it wouldn't move consoles, so I get that the platinum reward aren't on the same level as the Mario Kart 8 promo.

 

[ctclements]

I just read on a reddit post that you can only redeem 1 club nintendo platinum/gold prize to an account, can anyone confirm this? 

To clarify, I've redeemed DKR to my account, but what if I buy a gold reward from someone and try to redeem it to my 3ds?