In a move that’s sure to disappoint bargain-hunting Switch owners, Nintendo has announced it will officially sunset its popular "Nintendo Switch Game Vouchers" program by 2026. The company confirmed the decision quietly through its customer support channels, signaling the end of a discount initiative that let players buy two games for roughly $100.
What Were Game Vouchers?
Launched in 2019, Game Vouchers allowed Nintendo Switch Online subscribers to purchase pairs of digital game vouchers (typically priced at $99.98 in the U.S.) that could be redeemed for any two eligible first-party or partner titles from the eShop. The program effectively slashed the cost of new $59.99 games, offering significant savings—especially around major releases like The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom or Super Mario Bros. Wonder.
The Countdown Begins
While Nintendo hasn’t specified an exact shutdown date, the company states that all aspects of the service—including voucher purchases, redemptions, and extensions—will cease by 2026. The announcement, buried in a support page update, clarifies:
"The Nintendo Switch Game Vouchers service will end by 2026. After this date, vouchers can no longer be purchased, redeemed, or extended."
You can read the full notice from Nintendo here.
What Happens Now?
For current subscribers:
- Existing vouchers remain valid until their expiration date (usually 12 months after purchase).
- New vouchers can still be bought—but only until the service winds down.
Post-2026, unused vouchers expire, and the program disappears entirely.
Nintendo hasn’t detailed a replacement, leaving fans wondering if a new discount model will emerge for the rumored "Switch 2" era.
Why End the Program?
Industry analysts speculate the decision aligns with Nintendo’s shift toward maximizing revenue per title, especially as its first-party games rarely see deep discounts. With the Switch library now saturated with evergreen hits (like Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, still selling at full price years later), the vouchers’ savings may have outlived their strategic purpose. Others suggest it’s a precursor to overhauling digital sales for Nintendo’s next-gen console.
Gamer Reactions
Online forums are buzzing with frustration. Reddit user u/IndieGameHunter lamented, "This was the only way I could afford new releases. Guess I’m waiting for sales now." Others criticized Nintendo’s opaque communication, noting the news lacked fanfare compared to the program’s launch.
The Bigger Picture
Nintendo’s move follows a broader trend of scaling back digital incentives—Sony restructured PlayStation Plus tiers last year, and Xbox phased out its rewards programs. For Nintendo, it’s another step toward streamlining its ecosystem ahead of new hardware.
Final Advice
If you’ve held onto vouchers: use them before 2026. For everyone else, it’s time to squeeze in those last-minute discounted double-purchases. As one era ends, gamers will watch closely to see if Nintendo’s next act includes a new vision for affordability.
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