Nintendo previously announced that its loyalty program, My Nintendo, would be changing things up a bit. While the program has offered coupon discounts for Wii U and 3DS content, computer and mobile wallpapers, and the occasional full software offering, now those gold point earned through game purchases will be convertible to actual Nintendo eShop credit.
There are catches, of course, and the exchange rate is currently causing some mixed reactions across the Nintendo fanbase. First off, the exchange rate is one gold point equals one cent in actual money. These gold points can be applied to purchases of only “select” Nintendo Switch games through either Nintendo’s website or the eShop. Gold points can be earned through digital purchases for the Switch, 3DS, or Wii U, but for physical purchases, only Switch games count.
Furthermore, with a digital purchase, you earn 5% of the total in gold points. That means, buying a $59.99 game nets you 300 gold points, which translates to $3 USD in the eShop. A physical purchase, however, only nets 1%. Also, points are only good for a year when redeemed, and games are only worth gold points for the year following their original release date.
Source: My Nintendo