Physical version in store, dematerialized version on the eShop. Since this first morning in July 2020, Nintendo has been implementing a new commercial policy for some of the games on its latest console, the Switch. A policy that could cringe: the purchase of cards with dematerialized game codes is no longer possible in stores or on retailers’ websites. This only concerns games developed and published by Nintendo. Third-party publishers are free to continue doing as they see fit. Phew, we’re almost relieved.
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Thus, only the boxed versions of Mario, Zelda and others Pokémon will remain available on the shelf or on the web pages of your favorite stores.
The entire distribution of these same licenses, in dematerialized version, will now focus on Nintendo’s online store, the eShop. An official declaration sent to the site NintendoLife explains Big N’s position:
“After carefully studying the development of the European market, Nintendo has decided to stop selling codes for the games it develops and publishes live in the retail circuit. [NDLR : les magasins]. However, players will be able to buy cards to: fund their eShop wallet, credit play time to their Nintendo Switch Online account or acquire some DLC such as the Expansion Pass for the Sword and Shield Pokémon. The download codes of the partner publishers will still be available. “
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Dematerialized codes sold in stores or online were often a little cheaper than their boxed counterparts and also more affordable than their equivalents sold directly by Nintendo. It is undoubtedly this slight “shortfall” that Nintendo is trying to recover, especially since it concerns its games and its flagship licenses. Big N does not sell off its products!
Source : NintendoLife
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