Nintendo Points: Discontinued (2011) — Current eShop Credit System

Nintendo Points are obsolete. They were the virtual currency for the Wii Shop Channel (closed Jan 2019) and DSi Shop (closed Mar 2017).

Historical Context (2006–2011)

• Purchase: 1000 Points = $10 USD (1¢/point). Cards sold at retail.
• Earn: Limited promotions (Club Nintendo surveys, game registrations).
• Spend: Virtual Console (NES/SNES/N64), WiiWare, DSiWare.
• Redeem: Unused points → Club Nintendo physical rewards (posters, statues).

Transition to Nintendo eShop (2011+)

• Currency: Real money ($/€/£) via Credit Card, PayPal, or Nintendo eShop Cards (prepaid codes).
• Platforms: Wii U, Nintendo 3DS family, Nintendo Switch.
• No Transfer: Points cannot convert to eShop credit. Balances on dead Wii/DSi are stranded.

If You Have a Wii/DSi with Points Today

You cannot add funds or buy new content. Shops are permanently closed. You can only re-download previously purchased titles (if still on server) via "Settings > Redownload" — but even this may fail as servers degrade.

For Switch / 3DS / Wii U Purchases

Buy Nintendo eShop Cards (Target, Best Buy, Amazon, GameStop, Nintendo.com) or link PayPal/Credit Card directly to your Nintendo Account.