Nintendo has announced that it will soon end the coupon service to buy digital games at Nintendo Switch. The measure eliminates one of the few ways users had to save on the purchase of First Party titles. The closing is scheduled for January 30, 2026, with a period of six months for the acquisition of new coupons. Players will be able to use coupons for up to 12 months after purchase, as long as they have not yet rescued any game.
Created as a benefit of the Nintendo Switch online service, the feature allowed subscribers to buy two games for a fixed value, generating real economy for consumers. With the announcement of the end of the program, players are concerned with the absence of alternatives to reduce the high prices practiced at ESHOP.
How the coupons worked and why they were advantageous
Currently available for $ 579.00, the so -called Nintendo Switch Game Vouchers allow you to rescue two digital titles. This means that each title can come out for about $ 289.50, while many releases cost up to $ 349.00 individually. In practice, the economy can exceed $ 100 depending on the combination of games chosen.
In addition, coupons were valid for 12 months and could be redeemed at any time as long as the user kept the active signature of the online service. Flexibility and the possibility of using them with future releases made the system an attractive option for those who buy games frequently.
Nintendo does not announce substitute and maintains prices high
Despite the closure, Nintendo has not yet had any alternative to replace the benefit. The absence of a similar loyalty plan or program worries consumers, especially in a context in which games prices continue to rise. Nintendo's decision makes it difficult to access the company's catalog in markets such as the Brazilian, where purchasing power is lower.
Meanwhile, titles like Mario Kart 8 Deluxe and The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom follow prices between $ 349.00 and $ 499.90. And unlike competitors like PlayStation and Xbox, Nintendo does not adopt regular promotion policies or seasonal discounts.
What to do before the deadline
Players who still want to enjoy coupons should make the purchase by January 30, 2026. The functionality will be removed from eSHOP after that date, but those who have already purchased the coupons can use them normally for another year. This means that it is possible to buy them now and use them until January 2027, as long as the user maintains the online switch signature active during this period.
To avoid problems, it is important to verify the validity of the signature and ensure that it does not expire before using the coupons, especially in the case of pre-sale. There are reports of automatic cancellations when the user plan ends before the release of the game bought with the benefit.
