RF Generation Message Board

Well, I logged in to my club Nintendo account to register my some software and got a pop up that the club prizes were announced...to my dismay, every prize (Both Platinum and Gold), was for a downloadable game of some type, no PHYSICAL collectables. I was wondering which would be the most worthwhile, considering every gift is available either on disc/cart or to download in the e-shops. Gifts are only available until August 15th. After that, they expire.

The 8 Gold prizes are all GB or NES titles that are all staples of a collection:

Donkey Kong 3 (NES) Download on 3DS
Ice Climber (NES) Download on Wii U
Kid Icarus (NES) Download on Wii U
Metroid (NES) Download on 3DS
Super Mario Bros. (NES) Download on Wii U
Super Mario Land 2 (GB) Download on 3DS
Wario Land II (GBC) Download on 3DS
Zelda II: the Adventure of Link (NES) Download on Wii U

The 8 Platinum prizes are a little more interesting:

Dillon's Rolling Western (3DS: Download only, available for purchase within 3DS Shop)
Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D (3DS: Available as 3DS Cart and Downloadable within 3DS Shop)
Dr. Luigi (Wii U: Download only, available for purchase within Wii U Shop)
Earthbound (Wii U: Available as Cart on SNES, and for purchase within Wii U Shop)
Fluidity: Spin Cycle (3DS: Download only, available for purchase within 3DS Shop)
Game & Wario (Wii U: Available as Wii U Optical Disc and Downloadable within Wii U Shop)
Mario & Donkey Kong: Minis on the Move (3DS: Download only, available for purchase within 3DS Shop)
NES REMIX (Wii U: Download only, available for purchase within Wii U Shop)

That's disappointing. Being a member and supporter of the anti-download contingent up here in north-western canada, I was really hoping they would release a Luigi hat like the Mario one they had in '09

So, Crabby's recruiting now, eh?

I'm holding down the download hate here in the South just to make sure we have this region covered Mike. :)

Honestly, this is just a means for Nintendo to save money and not have to pay shipping. Are these prizes unattainable unless you have Club points, or can you download them regardless. Just curious, since the Club Nintendo prizes were special due to their attainability. Now it just seems that they've gone the easy route of not caring. Crappy that so many people bought game after game in anticipation of getting a special prize and now......they get a download......I'm a Nintendo guy and I can't even defend them for this.

You can normally download these. I'm guess with enough Club Nintendo points you can pick a game and download it for free.

I was originally disappointed that I had forgotten to input my big stack of Club Nintendo codes until Duke pointed out what the prizes were to me. Now I'm glad I didn't take the time to do all those survey's or I'd be pissed. I own every last one of those games that has a physical release.

When Duke first said that the prizes were downloadable I assumed they were unique items to Club Nintendo participants like when they did the Doc fight on Punch Out. This is just a slap in the face to everyone who has supported it.

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

Godd*mmit, I wanted a 2015 desk calendar!

WHAT IS THIS COMBO-BREAKER BULLSH*T?!

I'm also a bit bummed for ending up just short of Platinum status for a second year in a row...

UPDATE: Edited several O's out of my "noooo"so you don't have to scroll left-to-right to read this thread. Sorry 'bout that by the way.

I was extremely disappointed by Nintendo's reward offerings this year.  It wouldn't have been so bad if I hadn't already bought NES Remix (NES Remix 1 & 2 are the only digital Nintendo titles I have ever purchased).  I'd prefer to have physical copies of the games that have them, and I wasn't really interested in any of the other digital offerings, but I ended up getting the Mario and Donkey Kong Minis game.

The offerings from last year weren't that great either, but at least we were able to get something tangible out of that one (I got the Majora's Mask soundtrack).  This year just feels like an afterthought.

I am glad I am not the only one disgusted by the circumstances.

For me, It boils down to cost/value. First, Remove all 3DS stuff. I do not own one yet, just got lucky enough to get a Wii U in time for this.

8 Left...Now, take away everything I can get that exists physically...4 NES carts, 1 SNES cart, and 1 Wii U title...

2 Left...Do I go with Dr. Luigi? Or NES Remix? The NES remix interested me because it is built like the NES Championship cart used in competition, but from my research it DOES exist as a release on disc as a compilation in Japan as NES REMIX 1 and 2. Both of these are 15 bucks normally and I doubt wither will ever drop.

I am left with a couple questions...Is NES Remix for the Wii U in Japan playable on a North American Wii U console? and...Which of these two so you think holds more content for the value?

I didn't know that NES Remix was released on disc in Japan.  I'm pretty sure the Wii U is region locked though, so it probably wouldn't be possible to play a Japanese release on a North American console without some sort of hacking/modding.

I hate downloads. I know that sounds old of me but I only buy physical copies even if I have to wait longer to get it (Exp: Walking Dead Season 2). With a physical copy, I own it and unless it gets physically damaged or taken, I can play it whenever. I don't feel as confident in downloads. I consider myself a collector and when the opportunity arises to get something rare I jump on that chance. I always felt that the items I got from being a platinum member were unique and in turn satisfied the collector in me. Not so this year if just anybody can get what's available. To be fair I would have also been happy with newer DL titles that I can't currently afford physical copies of (Tomodachi Life, Kirby etc) but I felt that they gave away the oldest and cheapest DL possible.   

This was most likely the result of Nintendo cutting costs, but wouldn't be funny if they forgot to make Club Nintendo Rewards this year and this was a last minute rushed decision? ;)

I'm surprised and not surprised at the same time that so many people here are against digital releases. Crabby, your sphere of influence is larger than you think.

It isn't just Crabby...I have been against them since Day 1. IMHO, If I con't hold it, it doesn't count. Not to say there aren't any good digital only games...I would just always want the physical copy over a digital.

It's the first time I didn't hit gold or platinum in a few years. Not sorry that I didn't. Pretty lousy.

I chuckled.

Also
Shame on Nintendo.

http://www.nooooooooooooooo.com/

This was what got to my humorous side...I miss playing Killer instinct on the SNES. ha ha

I also wonder how they will use the "sales" of these downloads.

They might just use it to see what titles on which systems have the most demand/interest. The fact that there is a mix of download only and retail available games makes me wonder if they want to see how viable it is to offer a game at retail still or if more should go download only. If tons of people decide to use their free download on a game they could have instead bought at the store maybe that game won't see a store shelf again down the road. Alternatively if the bulk of the downloads are used on a digital exclusive they might determine where the most interest lies and release more games like it.


But i suppose it is just as likely that they could use it to report a spike in downloadable content/game sales for those platforms in an attempt to make investors happy.

Wow, this is disappointing.  Still, free games are free games.  I would have liked something physical like a poster set or another one of the cool figurines they had a few years ago, but I'll take it.

I must express my disappointment in these rewards. There is nothing here that I either don't already have physically or want

I totally agree. I hate this digital crap. So I ended up getting the NES remix because you can't get it at retail as you can with the Wario game. Week after I install NES remix, Nintendo announces that they are bringing it to retail. Damn you, Nintendo.

I knew they already had NES Remix 1 & 2 bundled retail for Japanese release, but are they bringing it to retail in the states too?

EDIT: Just did my own homework. It was an easy assignment to research. ;) I guess that means I am going with Dr. Luigi since it is the only non-retail, non-3DS prize left for me to snag.

http://www.gamingunion.net/news/11147/nes-remix-1-and-2-getting-a-retail-release-in-north-america/

Wrote an E-mail to Nintendo complaining about the Gold/Platinum rewards, but also why North America has such a crappy selection for prizes on Club Nintendo compared to Europe and Japan.

What are the European/Japanese prize options? Is there anything "real" available to them? or is it still digital-only, just better variety?

I dont know about their Platinum reward for this year, but the overall selection for Club Nintendo items is way better. I check Club Nintendo every other week and still don't feel like redeeming my coins on the same six items that I didn't want 6 months ago.

So not the Gold/Platinum stuff, just the stuff you can spend your coins on year round? I feel you there. I ended up taking advantage of the Kirby Patches since my coins were getting ready to expire.

Edit: Took some surveys and added some titles while I was on the site downloading my prize and noticed I am already a gold member for 2015 and only 60 coins away from platinum. ha ha

I don't know about the Japanese prize options but for the European Club Nintendo, not much. Lately they are shoelaces, notebooks, stickers, keyrings, a Yoshi backpack (pricey) and stock that has been there for years such as the Game & Watch Ball reproduction (very highly priced) and the Super Mario Galaxy LP. The only digital option is Wii points, yes Wii points in 2014. No downloadable codes for Wii U, 3DS or eShop credit, just Wii points. Well that and some promotions that they did such as free SMB Deluxe if you register your NNID or the Mario Kart 8 free game. Occassionally you get some really good stuff like the Luigi's Mansion diorama and the Super Mario 3D World soundtrack however they are priced very high and they go very quickly. I do have a hunch that Nintendo of Europe might be cutting down on Club Nintendo since they also have an online shop that is run by The Hut/Zavvi.

The reason why I mentioned highly priced is because the EU Club Nintendo works on stars, not coins. Each physical game is 250 stars since you get a scratch off code if you buy it new or lucky to find one second hand. Not all games have these codes and they expire within 2/3 years. Digital games also have stars, 250 for one that also has a retail release and much less if it is downloadable only and only if it is a eShop title. Some of these items can get to around 7000 stars so that equals buying 28 retail games to get the thing you want, plus considering Nintendo games are much more expensive in the UK/EU...

I wish I could get a Yoshi backpack, game and watch or a soundtrack from the North American Club Nintendo. All thats available for the past three months are: 2 different greeting card sets, a lame Kirby patch set, A pink animal crossing 3ds pouch (the blue one is sold out) and an animal crossing poster set. Im sitting on a pile of coins that I spent a great deal to acquire (Redeemed a 3Ds and WiiU in 2013/14) and nothing to spend them on.

I totally agree.  The NA rewards are crappy. I have a feeling they won't restock, only have games to download.

So since there is not really anything that I want or need for 3DS, if I don't have a WiiU but plan on getting one is it possible to get the code for a game and keep it till then or do they expire?

They expire. :( If I remember, my confirmation e-mail told me I had a limited amount of time to use the code.

I agree. Even the shoelaces are better than any digital reward.

I  think it expires in August.

Well that sucks a bit more :( Thanks for the info.

Speaking of European releases over NA...A 3DS XL Super Smash Bros bundle was announced today.

https://www.nerdist.com/2014/08/super-smash-bros-gets-a-3ds-xl-bundle/

And another announcement at a 400 coin prize for a really sweet 3DS case for Europe and Australia...

http://www.zeldainformer.com/news/3ds-xl-zelda-carrying-case-added-to-european-and-australian-club-nintendo-c#.U-7sA8VdXTo

I'm bumping this thread because I joined last night. I registered my 3DS and all my 3DS games and already have over 500 points.

I don't have a WiiU, but I'd love to see some 3DS games that I can download. Right now there aren't any that I'm interested in, but I'm looking forward to whatever comes out next month. Definitely not interested in the physical junk at the bottom, but downloadable games are simply awesome, and the value proposition, in my judgment is pretty good. Two pretty decent Game Boy games for 150 each seems good to me. Like I said, not interested in these but looking forward to the next wave.

https://club.nintendo.com/rewards.do

I also probably have a bunch of codes in my Wii games, I'll have to look through my collection tonight to rack up even more points.

I'm not exactly clear on how the gold/platinum thing works, can someone explain?

Copy-pasted from Nintendo's How it Works link.

"Elite Status Means Cool Gifts

Level-up each year and redeem additional free gifts.

Between July 1 and June 30 of the following year, if you earn 300 Coins you'll reach Gold Status. Earn 300 more (600 Coins total) in that same time period for Platinum Status. It doesn’t matter how many Coins you've spent on other rewards, so you can use your Coins to get cool rewards throughout the year!"

Yeah thanks. I actually had a coworker explain that to me as if I were a child and I understand now.

So what are some of the best things ya'll have gotten from this program? I'm talking physical and *gasp* digital!

This statue is my favorite item through Club Nintendo so far. The re-issued Game & Watch Ball is also pretty bitchin'

http://gaygamer.net/2010/07/club_nintendo_rewards_elite_me.html

That looks cool! I'm kind of sad I have to wait all the way until the summer for the next Platinum reward. Hope it's a good one!

Last year was just download codes for readily available games. It was pretty dissapointing. Hoping this year is better!

The whole thing is a let down now.  Basically all they have are game downloads now.  They used to have cool physical rewards but they seem to be phasing it out. :(~

don't look at the european or japanese reward sites, that'll really bring you down

Question: When you "buy" a downloadable game with your coins, what is the delivery process? Do they give you a code or do you have to sign in to Club Nintendo on your console somehow?

I think they give you a code that you can redeem on the eShop, but I'm not 100% certain....

They send you the code in an email.

Good info. I was seriously hoping it would be something easy like that.

Can't wait to see what they put up next week!

Not only do they email but they also give the code right on the rewards site so you can instantly go in and download.

I've exhausted most of points picking up Wii U VC games - I did skip on Pilot Wings last month.

The 3DS offerings are pretty good - mainly old Game Boy games but fun to have.

Yeah, I grabbed Metroid II yesterday and it looks phenomenal on the 3DS. I'm so happy they just give you a download code rather than pulling some Nintendo BS like making you link the CN account to each console or some other pain in the ass way.

I can't wait to see the next set of games. Looks like they're not exactly punctual with unveiling them as last month's were supposed to expire yesterday but nothing has changed on the site.

i wish some how they incorporated a map on that. Still pretty awesome

The games selection has (finally) been updated.

Kirby's Dreamland 3 and Metroid for WiiU

Super Mario Kart and 1080 for Wii

A Kappa's Trail, Kid Icarus Myth & Monsters, Bird and Beans, Radar Mission for 3DS

http://club.nintendo.com/rewards.do

Welp, I've been a Club Nintendo member for about two weeks now and I can already see a huge problem. I already have most of these games in some other form. Gotta do a little research on the DSi Ware titles but other than that I'm not particularly interested in the Game Boy's version of Battleship.

I can see myself frivolously grabbing Mario Kart and 1080 as well, but I don't know.

RADAR MISSION
...oh, wait, I still own a Game Boy. Carry on.

After doing a little research it seems A Kappa's Trail is very highly regarded so I'm going to grab that. Bird & Bean looks like a crappy mobile phone game so I'm going to skip that one.

And, because a large portion of Nintendo's strategy is getting you to buy the same twenty year old games over and over again, I'm going to play my part and grab Mario Kart. I dunno, it's one of my all time favorite games, and I really love the way those virtual console games look up-resed or whatever through the Wii. At first I was thinking, why the hell would you do that? But then I remembered I paid actual money for SMB 3 and Punch-Out way back when I got my Wii for the "convenience" of having them on it. Pure foolishness. 

At least I'm not being suckered in by Nintendo's creation of false scarcity involving plastic figurines for a system I don't own which are inferior to Skylanders anyway...

So I just went ahead and downloaded A Kappa's Trail and I'm happy to report that it was developed by none other than Brownie Brown, who made one of our favorites, Magical Starsign!