Super Smash 3DS Demo and Club Nintendo Fights Back

Next week, on September 19th, a Super Smash 3DS demo will go live. Like all demos on the eShop, players will be limited to 30 plays. 30 plays isn’t a lot, which means gamers may want to use them sparingly as there will be still three weeks until the game officially launches. Nintendo has lots to prove with this title as it is the first on handheld in the franchises history. This demo will make or break this game at retail in early October.

Club Nintendo Platinum members who have a registered 3DS are getting the demo a little early, a whole week early in fact. And unlike the demo everyone else will be downloading next week, this demo has no play limits. Not only will Club Nintendo Platinum members get their limitless demo early, but they will also receive 3 extra codes to give out to friends.

This article also serves as my official retraction of my previous statements about Club Nintendo. I will fully admit that although I like the items I have received through the program, I have always been fairly skeptical and critical of their plans. It all came to a head this year when Platinum and Gold members received less than ideal gifts for reaching these elite status’.

Perhaps Nintendo had these plans all along, although I would like to believe that critical member’s statements, and articles such as the one I wrote a few months back, actually made a difference. I really like this special promotion for platinum members. They are receiving bonuses that others don’t get, and this is what being a platinum member is all about. I can only hope that these type of promotions continue with future titles.

Club Nintendo is a nice perk for Nintendo fans, but it also serves a purpose for Nintendo. All those surveys help Nintendo judge the marketplace and the people operating within it. If nothing else, perhaps more people will take advantage of this program in the future.