So maybe we'll get something special on Prime Day next year.
http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/news/41075/amazon-nintendo-team-up-for-digital-code-store
Amazon has added Nintendo to their digital game offerings, with Wii U, 3DS and even Wii download codes available.
The listing is composed of first party titles for now, with a focus on retail and Virtual Console games. After completing the purchase, buyers will be able to log into a special page with their Nintendo Network ID and redeem the code, which will start downloading to the system.
The downloads appear to be at MSRP, though Super Mario Maker is available for preload and a seller has Yoshi's New Island codes for $15.99 in the 3DS section. The Mario Kart 8 DLC dual pack also is available to buy.
... You have to go online with your system anyway to download the title you bought from Amazon! ...
That said, your other points still stand. Not sure I see this being much easier than just buying through eShop. Maybe there will be pricing variations?
Is there some little detail about this that makes it different from the eShop that I'm missing?
To use this don't you need to have access to the internet and a credit card to pay for your purchase?
Those download code cards were for customers that don't have credit cards.
QuoteThose download code cards were for customers that don't have credit cards.
Or for people who don't want to use credit cards. After stories about Microsoft automatically charging for XBox Live and the PSN hack I don't like putting my credit card number into game consoles, so I only use the cards. And I end up spending a lot more on XBL and PSN than the eShop because being able to get a $10 or $20 code right from Amazon instead of actually going to the store lets me make more low price impulse buys. With eShop cards when I actually am at the store I usually don't even think of it or have forgotten what I wanted to buy in the first place so I don't even bother.
To be fair, Walmart.com offers digital eShop code deliveries in as little as $10 increments...