What Were Club Nintendo Coins? (Discontinued 2015 – Replaced by My Nintendo)

Club Nintendo Coins were the virtual currency of Nintendo's first loyalty program (2003–2015 in NA/EU; 2006–2015 in JP). The program ended **June 30, 2015** (NA/EU) / **September 30, 2015** (JP). Coins are **now worthless**.

How They Worked

• Earn: Register physical game/console codes (pin from manual/insert), complete post-play surveys, link eShop accounts.
• Values: Console ~160–250 coins. Handheld game ~20–50. Console game ~40–60. Survey ~10–50.
• Redeem: Physical rewards (statues, soundtracks, cases, calendars, playing cards, hanafuda, Game & Watch replicas) or digital games (VC titles, DSiWare, 3DS/WiiWare).
• Expiration: Coins expired **2 years after earning** (later extended to program end).
• Elite Status: Gold (300 coins/yr) / Platinum (600 coins/yr) → exclusive yearly gift (e.g., Mario hat, Majora's Mask soundtrack, card deck).

Why It Ended

• Physical registration friction (pins, manuals lost).
• Shift to digital (eShop) → automatic tracking easier.
• Cost of physical reward manufacturing/shipping.
• Unified account system (Nintendo Network ID → Nintendo Account).

My Nintendo (Current Program, 2016–Present)

• Currency: **Platinum Points** (missions: weekly login, eShop purchase, app usage, website visits) + **Gold Points** (1%–5% back on eShop purchases).
• Rewards: Digital only (discounts, themes, wallpapers, game trials, exclusive physical via "My Nintendo Store" – separate purchase with points discount).
• No Elite Tiers / Physical Gifts.

If You Still Have Club Nintendo Coins

**They are unredeemable.** The redemption site is gone. No conversion to My Nintendo points was offered. They are a memory.

Legacy

Club Nintendo produced some of the most sought-after Nintendo collectibles (Gold Nunchuk, Mario Galaxy Soundtrack, Hanafuda cards, 3DS card cases). They sell for high prices on secondary market.