And yet still no standard digital eshop cards like Sony and Microsoft have.

What is the point of this service?  Those download code cards were for customers that don't have credit cards.  To use this don't you need to have access to the internet and a credit card to pay for your purchase?  Why not just go through the damn eShop?  You have to go online with your system anyway to download the title you bought from Amazon!

Is there some little detail about this that makes it different from the eShop that I'm missing?

Pretty sure this isn't true - it sounds like the download is automatic once you've purchased from Amazon, so you don't need to do anything special on your console.


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?

I'm pretty sure I can complete the transaction and have the download started faster through Amazon than through the eShop.

I assume this works for gifting to friends.  Also, you could use Amazon gift cards/credit from trading in games...

I like the idea of this, but the selection sucks. Why can't I buy a Shovel Knight on there? It would be the perfect gift for my brother, though he doesn't know it yet. If I buy him an eShop card he's going to buy something stupid with it instead of the game I want him to have.

Opportunities for different discounts and offers. Also, to take advantage of pre-existing Amazon cash or cash back services.


Think of this way: This added option is an approach vector for people who want to do a little Extreme Couponing.

Glossed over this.

There are a lot of Amazon gift cards and pre-paid debit cards floating around. There are options for a person who doesn't have or want to use a credit card to be able to buy stuff from online retailers.

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.

Amazon also has an account system where you put money into an account that is for another person, let's say your child or significant other.  Then they can use that money on anything at Amazon. 


Also, Amazon is a lot bigger storefront than the Nintendo eshop.  Many more people are familiar with it and know how to navigate it as opposed to the eshop where some are likely afraid to search through it.


Ultimately, it's just another way to buy the digital games from Nintendo and I figure more options is always better than less most of the time.

To be fair, Walmart.com offers digital eShop code deliveries in as little as $10 increments...

Oh! I didn't know that, thanks!

I wonder if you can use Amazon reward points with these.  That would certainly be an advantage.

I don't see why not.

I use my reward points for eShop cards and Gamestop codes. I don't think there is a restriction on what you can use them for. Amazon will even exchange them for cash if you want them to.

With time the available titles will grow. Nintendo did the same thing with Amazon here in Japan and the initial offerings were kinda lackluster.

Does this mean they've patched things up since the hardware debacle?