Nintendo fans with a surplus of My Nintendo points can now redeem the virtual currency for select indie games on the Nintendo Wii U and 3DS systems, a first for the rewards program.
The change was announced yesterday through the company’s Twitter account. Users with enough Gold Points can snag Art of Balance, BIT.TRIP Presents… Runner 2: Future Legend of Rhythm Alien, Super Little Acorns 3D Turbo for Wii U and Zen Pinball 3D for 3DS. Rewards for the Switch are still absent, despite My Nintendo promising they will arrive soon.
Redeem #MyNintendo Gold Points for some of the hottest indie games on select Nintendo 3DS and Wii U titles! https://t.co/A88Lh5wZ6z pic.twitter.com/HMM6BoBJtQ
— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) September 27, 2017
The rewards, which Nintendo classifies as ‘Nindies,’ range from puzzles to platformers with a pick-up-and-play vibe. Details for each game can be found below.
Art of Balance | 70 Gold Points
As the title suggests, Art of Balance is a puzzle game that heavily focuses on balancing geometric objects through the Wii U’s Gamepad. The game has 200 levels, offers multiplayer modes for five people, and online features like leaderboards.
BIT.TRIP Presents… Runner 2: Future Legend of Rhythm Alien | 90 Gold Points
Continuing the BIT.TRIP series is Runner2, a rhythm-based platformer following CommanderVideo, who is on a quest to face off with the Nefarious Timbletot. Compared to the first Runner, the sequel features modern instead of retro graphics and eight playable characters. There are a total of 95 levels across five themed worlds to explore.
Super Little Acorns 3D Turbo | 60 Gold Points
This game follows a squirrel named Mr. Nibbles on a platforming adventure to retrieve an acorn stash that was stolen from him. Throughout the game, players will help Mr. Nibbles over 90 levels, spanning each of the four seasons in his quest to support his family. If a playable squirrel isn’t enough justification for downloading the game, players can also dress the main character in a variety of outfits.
Zen Pinball 3D | 50 Gold Points
Zen Pinball 3D is… well, pinball in 3D. Showcasing the title’s 3D nature are its four pinball tables, boasting the series’ self described best ball physics. The boards take on four different themes, starting with the medieval “Excalibur,” to supernatural magic (“Shaman”) an alien invasion (“Earth Defense”) and a mythical city (“El Dorado”). Other features rely on competition, such as online leaderboards and challenges against friends.
My Nintendo, which replaced Club Nintendo in 2015, removed the ability to redeem points for games when the service relaunched under its new name. Until now, the program’s two-tiered rewards catalog consisted of 3DS, desktop and mobile wallpapers, digital guides, discount codes and in-app rewards for Nintendo’s mobile games (Miitomo, Super Mario Run, Fire Emblem Heroes).
To earn Gold Points, members must have their My Nintendo account linked to their 3DS, Switch and Wii U systems. Retail Switch purchases shell out 10, 12, 14 or 16 points depending on their price (from $40 to $70) and eShop downloads giving increments of 10 points up to 80 for purchases between $5 and $70.