Club Nintendo Rewards Offer Free Games, But No Physical Items, Much to Some Fans' Dismay

This year's rewards for members of Nintendo's loyalty program, Club Nintendo, have been announced today, and those who accumulated enough virtual coins during the past year can select from a handful of free downloadable games. However, unlike in years past, there isn't a single physical item being offered to members, and nothing that can't be easily purchased by non-Club Nintendo members.

Among the games--all of which are for Wii U and 3DS--being offered are Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D (3DS), Game & Wario (Wii U), EarthBound (Wii U), and NES Remix (Wii U) for Platinum status members, and Super Mario Bros. (Wii U) and Wario Land II (3DS) for Platinum and Gold members. Provided you qualify, you can make your choice here.

Particularly for Platinum members, it's not a bad assortment of games--DKC Returns 3D and Game & Wario each cost $30 normally--but these rewards differ from previous years. In addition to free downloadable games, Club Nintendo also traditionally offers members calendars, soundtracks, carrying cases, commemorative pins, and posters, among other things. It even offered a real-life version of Mario's hat in 2009, and while mine now serves as a home for spiders, it was still a fun thing to receive.

As a result of what we've become accustomed to seeing offered, many fans are underwhelmed by this year's selection of rewards. To reach the Gold or Platinum status, you needed to earn a certain number of coins between July 1, 2013 and June 30, 2014. Coins are earned by registering game and console purchases on Club Nintendo, as well as completing surveys.

The full list of this year's rewards for North American Club Nintendo members follows below.

Platinum Status rewards:

• Game & Wario (Wii U)
• NES Remix (Wii U)
• EarthBound (Wii U)
• Dr. Luigi (Wii U)
• Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D (3DS)
• Fluidity: Spin Cycle (3DS)
• Dillon's Rolling Western (3DS)
• Mario and Donkey Kong: Minis on the Move (3DS)

Platinum and Gold Status rewards:

• Ice Climber (Wii U)
• Kid Icarus (Wii U)
• Super Mario Bros. (Wii U)
• Zelda II: The Adventure of Link (Wii U)
• Donkey Kong 3 (3DS)
• Wario Land II (3DS)
• Metroid (3DS)
• Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins (3DS)

Did you qualify to receive Club Nintendo rewards this year, and, if so, what will you be picking up? Are you disappointed there aren't exclusive, physical rewards, or are you happier with a free game? Let us know in the comments.