Club Nintendo is a nice extra for Nintendo gamers, though we imagine there are a few that don't necessarily bother to go through the process of logging in and completing surveys for all of their game or hardware purchases. That may change due to a handsome new promotion for 3DS XL, as Nintendo of Europe is offering a free retail download title to anyone who's registered one of the handhelds on Club Nintendo before 15th January 2013.
Once you register the system on your account, or if you've already done so, you'll be prompted by a promotional banner to claim your freebie. You'll have the chance to choose from the following five games, including some big hitters that currently cost £39.99/€44.99 on the eShop.
- Super Mario 3D Land
- Professor Layton and the Miracle Mask
- New Style Boutique
- New Art Academy
- Freakyforms Deluxe: Your Creations, Alive!
Once you select a game the download code will be sent to your account's registered email address, and you'll then be able to redeem it in the eShop between 1st and 31st January 2013. It's a rather tasty bonus for new 3DS XL owners, of course, but the fact that even those that have already registered their systems are included should keep everyone happy. Even if you own the games, they're free, so you still can't complain.
The offer applies to most major countries in Europe, but be sure to check the promotion's details to confirm whether your region is included. So, which game are you going for, Europeans?
Instructions for those who have already registered the 3DS XL hardware
Comments 154
Blimey that's a great deal, free Layton can't be bad
Eh? What about us early adopters who have a standard 3DS? No love for us?
Christmas has come a month early... but i love it! Thank you Nintendo, first the free NSMB2 DLC and now this.
That´s so unfair!!
@Tsuchiya how can you not be impressed? A free game ....
@Buzzthebatgirl Ummmm... Ambassadors?
@Dambuster
Maybe they could've made it available to all 3DS owners?
Just a thought.
This is great Nintendo, nice one. Must choose between New Art Academy and Professor Layton and the Miracle Mask! A free game... Can't reeeeally complain can you?
@dudey300
Non 3DS XL owners can.
I've registered my 3DSXL already but I live in Australia:( Shibata have you forgotten about us?
grumblegrumble Knew I shouldn't have been faithful to my original 3DS
@Tsuchiya True that. Most of them would've been part of the Ambassador Program. Not excusing it though, not fair for those 3DS owners who weren't part of that program.
Yikes, I already have Super Mario 3D Land, Layton Miracle Mask and New Art Academy!!
And I'm not particularly interested in the other two titles either...
Edit: Wait, is this only valid for people who have not registered a 3DS XL yet?
Does this mean I am NOT eligible having registered my 3DS XL at launch?
If it comes to Australia it would motivate me to upgrade to an 3DS XL, if only to get Layton.
Whaaaaaaat?
What about Australia?
I want free Layton.
Either make it fair for every 3DS owner or don't do it at all.
Handheld gaming is going down the tubes. Make one model, concentrate on it and stick to the damn thing Nintendo. Don't juggle both and screw over half of your consumers (again)
Come the next handheld, I'll be giving it a miss.
@Dambuster
My comment vanished. Maybe I am impressed afterall?
@BenAV SAME!
Awesome promotion. Too bad I ain't gonna get 3dsxl before that date, I'm going for WiiU. I want Layton free
Wish this would come to the US, but I highly doubt it. European gamers deserve it though as they get shafted a lot.
@RupeeClock The article says you have registered a XL before January 15th
@Tsuchiya Its not that big of a deal and doesn't screw over anyone. Getting upset about this is like getting upset when a company bundles a game with a console as a special edition. I assume you were unhappy when Nintendo gave early adapters the ambassador program.
No banner showing for me
@GumbyX84
Not really as bar a few games, it was a pretty awful program compared to this anyway. Early adopter of what? A slight variation of the same thing that I adopted at its initial launch? They are both in the 3DS family, both models can download full retail games. So let the owners of both models download a free game.
@BenAV I know I haven't bought it yet because I decided to preorder Paper Mario and had to pay off my Wii U games. That would have been a perfect Xmas present from Nintendo:'(
In the last 3 months, I've spent the best part of £1,000 on Nintendo hardware and games. No free game for me though, as I decided to buy a 3DS instead of a 3DSXL.
Keep on truckin', NoE. :/
I got the free ambassador games, I got the free Excitebike and the free Kid Icarus, and I still feel like I'm being screwed over .____.;;
(also, not being able to buy games with coins in the club nintendo store, like US residents)
Why doesn't Nintendo make a promotion for both new and old customers? >_>
@RupeeClock You are eligible yes.. Check the promotion details above in the post
@Gavin_Rozee It's still early so they may be updating the website. Be sure to go to the Product Registration page and scan for a banner there, too.
Loads of time yet, so the banner may appear soon.
Anybody want to sell an unregistered 3DS XL stars card? =)
Just put my code in and it worked, now waiting for my email.
GOOD offer, but STILL not tempted to pay out for an aesthetic upgrade and trade in my dinky, well looked after standard 3DS. Its still a little bit too pricey WHEN COMPARED to the standard model. Also, Wii U spend is clearing my budget out ATM. NO sale!
I got the 3DS early enough to have been an Ambassador and due to dodgy eye-sight traded up to the 3DSXL but what's this? All of a sudden ANZ is not included in "Europe" for this promo?
I have no issue if it means we are no longer shackled to tortuous Euro classification processes in terms of game release but somehow it feels like the same old "shaft the Antipodeans" again... mind you Ninty manages to show us more love than another Japanese console company when it comes to goodies...
@Schprocket what about playstation plus, and cross buy ( buy ps3 and get vita for free)
@Schprocket We were never shackled to tortuous Euro classification; ANZ has its own ratings board. And it's significantly worse than the Euro one, since the market is smaller and it costs more. And processing tends to take longer. And, until recently, there was no R18+ rating.
wtf????
why only 3DS XL owners???
this makes me angry
@6ch6ris6 incentive to buy one I guess, also guarantees it was bought in the last year, and that the 3DS owner in question doesn't already have 20 ambassador games for free already
FREETAIL my favorite word combination.
I can't get the banner to appear either - also is it just me or is NoE's website horribly broken at the moment?
@ChunkyDroid nope your wrong, I'm an ambassador and ive just put my code in for a free game. I got 3ds small on launch then did a system trans to my 3ds xl on launch.
Just claimed my free Layton game. Nice!
Free NES Games x10
Free GBA Games x10
Free ExciteBike
Free Zelda 4Swords
Free PokéDex 3D
Also, I upgraded to a Red 3DS XL.
I feel like NoUSA doesn't like us.
This promotion in Europe.
The WiiNi in Canada. (which I really, really want)
@Dambuster You misunderstood what ChunkyDroid said. He's saying that the offer is limited to 3DS XL so that those who've bought ONLY a small model 3DS, and may also have the Ambassador games, aren't also getting this freebie. Whether you did trade-ins, received it as a gift or bought it yourself, you've upgraded to an XL - therefore you get the promo.
I can understand why some may be disappointed with original 3DS models — maybe one of these games free for having a load of Club Nintendo stars would also be a nice incentive — but the earlier comparison to bundles is fair. Nintendo's pushing the XL, so is offering an incentive; that's standard and fair enough. I've lost count of offers I've missed in various things, but it's just a fact of life.
Well isn't this great. I live in EU, own a 3DS XL but I'm excluded from this promotion because I live in one of the Nordic countries. Thanks for nothing Nintendo!
@amphilbian if you want me to register your pin on my account and i'll send you the download code, just a thought.
i wish NoA would do this. I got a 3DS XL on launch. I want a free game lol oh well
I am a bit mad to be honest...I got my 3DS this January and(obviously)I didn't qualify for the Ambassador program.
All i got was the free Zelda 4 Swords game,which isn't even that good >.>
I'm desperate for some free Super Mario 3D Land but live in Australia thus don't qualify
It's hard not to feel just a little left out. Ambassadors should be eligible for this as well I feel. We've been supporting the system from the start. I'm glad people who waited and jumped in with the XL, or perhaps those who upgraded to the XL, are being rewarded, but I personally feel like the offer should be extended to ambassadors. I'd take a free 3DS game over GBA and NES games any day.
@Dambuster Sadly it wouldn't work... Nordic countries are completely excluded from Club Nintendo, we don't get the pin code-leaflets at all in our region. This really sucks concidering we're supposed to be part of the European Union etc.
Ok I can't find that banner. But the site is still a mess so I'll wait a few days before contacting Nintendo. I'd love to have Mario 3D Land on my SDcard!
Awesome deal, of course not in austria. Dang.
Could not find the banner either. Oh well, I have enough patience 2 days until WiiU
@AyeHaley - we've added a guide above to help explain how this is done.
Basically log into Club Nintendo, Click 'My Account'. On the promotional banner (which didn't load properly for me!) you will see a little arrow on the right. Click this and it will switch to the special promotional banner for this offer. Follow the steps to get your game.
Also I found images not loading correctly in Firefox, so I had to use IE!
Good luck
Glad I didn't buy Prof. Layton now
If you cannot see any Banners and You're already logged in:
1. Hover Your Mouse over The Club Nintendo Tab.
2. Click on My Account.
3. Once the page were your stars balance is displayed, there's this Arrow pointing to the RIGHT. Click this arrow to reveal the BANNER.
PROFIT.
Nice little bonus there.
Thanks for the heads up NL Just registered to receive Layton. Had to click the right arrow tab after clicking my account to get the promotion to show.
Pity I already bought Super Mario 3D Land and downloaded Professor Layton. Guess I'll just force myself to play Freakyform if this offer comes to North America.
HELP. I have TWO 3DS XL's registered on my ONE Club Nintendo account. Can I still get two games?
Wow look at all the hate for Nintendo because they are offering something for free! Never thought that would happen.
Really glad club Nintendo finally got a little bit better for Europe. It's been pretty good stateside for a while now. Be grateful for it and hope it means more to come!
@Buzzthebatgirl well we did get the ambassador program :/
What about us who got the original 3DS before the 3DS XL?
@mandemote There was a rather large gap between the price drop and the launch of the 3DS XL.
This would be awesome as I have a 3DS XL, except I live in Australia. Not only are we not getting this, but our Club Nintendo site is broken currently!
@Buzzthebatgirl Seriously? 10 free NES games and 10 free, not planned to be released GBA games for Ambassadors. This offer gives you one game. The offer last time was 20 classic games. The only free games I actually want, I already own anyways.
Lol, I think this is like the 3DS XL ambassador program for early XL adopters. Given the rumours of XLs coming bundled with MK7 in NA for the same price as a plain XL, it looks like a price drop is impending or systems will be sold with free bundled games from here on in.
Anyone wanna trade? I've got a UK club nintendo MK7 points card that isn't used.
I live in the Philippines, own the console bought from Amazon Italy, registered to Club Nintendo UK. And I'm qualified.
C'mon Nintendo, don't forget us Aussies...I want Layton!
Someone help...?
Thank you so much for posting this. I had no idea about this promotion.
Bought and registered my XL the day it came out.
^ If you don't know where to find it.
Go to the Nintendo site, click on Club Nintendo, then My Account.
You'll see a banner with your total star points and an arrow to the right of that. Click that arrow and the free game banner will show up.
Free layton I was actually planning on getting it this weekend, lucky me!
The only game I haven't got is New Style Boutique,so New Style Boutique it is then.
I must admit I did enjoy the demo.
Free super Mario 3d land! this is the best news in days
too bad for those people with a normal 3ds
damn this to hell, in my country we don't even have the club nintendo, and i live in a freaking country that is in the european union!
@sir_Anthony
Normal or Extra large, it's a 3DS either way. They should have included ambassadors.
Got Professor Layton!! Thank you Nintendo!!
I must be the unluckiest nintendo fan in Portugal. I do have a 3DS, but I bought it back in 26th December, and I didnt got ambassador program. I have a Wii too, and I was going to use that connection ambassador program with my friend. But when I was just doing it his father didnt let him connect to the internet. Now this
@WiiLovePeace What do you want to trade?
@3DSNoobieNerd, a 3DS XL uk club nintendo code or a Super Mario 3D Land download code Something that gets me a copy of SM3DL haha
whaat?! no way, this is great! But none for US... so sad. 3DSxl is the best thing that happened for my gaming in a long time; love it still.
Sweet!! I was going to download Art Academy to replace the cartridge version. Now I'll hold off doing it.
@Tsuchiya: If everyone got the free game, then there would be no point to this promotion. Nintendo is trying to push the 3DS XL, so this makes more sense. Want the free game? Buy an XL. Don't want the XL? Too bad!
Holy crap! Well - that's awesome!
@LZBirdboi
I stand by what I said.
I'm disgruntled here!
@Tsuchiya: Then fix your situation by buying a 3DS XL!!
Sucks to be from Finland. Finland is in Europe and belongs to EU, but no! Finland is not included in Club Nintendo.
Nintendo please! We want Finland to be part of the international European Club Nintendo. (our own club Nintendo sucks)
@LZBirdboi
Mmmmm, I believe I'll stay disgruntled. It'll help with BLOPS2U
I wish this was in NoA, I would've gotten New Art Academy!
@WiiLovePeace Ops. sorry for that. Dont have a 3ds XL or a download code for super mario 3d land D:
The layout of the website is all buggered.... and I cant find the 'arrow pointing to the right', why is the website missing all its images?
That's it. I'm getting a 3DSXL + free Layton.
Wow great deal. I hope something like this comes to NA.
Since I already have the three games I would possibly want from the promo, I've promised my Super Mario 3D Land voucher to a friend instead.
Cheers for showing how to claim your free game if you've already registered!
Just registered my system and claimed for Professor Layton and the Miracle Mask as i reckon thats the most expensive title out of the lot at the moment, very surprised by this promotion combined with the Ambassador free Zelda 4 swords and Kid Icarus i'd say Not Bad At All Nintendo.
Once again, you lucky Europeans.
Sure I am disappointed but I don't mind myself. I am an ambassador owner, got excite bike free and kid icarus. Plus I also won the limited edition toad console so,
Really feel like i've got the short end of the stick. Had my 3DS after the
ambassador program and because it's an original 3DS then I miss
out on this deal too. "Rats!"
@Hybrid: Totally with you on the 'buying games with stars' issue
for European gamers. That said, Club Nintendo has been given
a makeover and the Stars Catalogue has been offline for a
while now, which makes me think that perhaps the might
implement it after all.
That way too good.
Are you sure it's not a trap?
Just registered for New Art Academy. I already have it on a retail cart, but it is the one game at present that I had felt would be good to have on my SD card. Just need to get a bigger SD card between now and January 1st.
You can only get the games in the first two weeks of 2013, if the world ends on 21st december this year we won't get any games...
Even though Europe is getting this nice deal, I think, everything considered, NoE and NoA treat it's consumers relatively the same. Although lately NoE has been doing a lot more great things than NoA has been. Reggie is letting me down. What are you doing Reggie? Wake up buddy. Nintendo of Japan is lightyears ahead of us in nearly every facet of the company. I'm moving to Japan, I don't care if I can't speak a lick of anything but English haha. They will accept me and my ninja skills.
I should tell my nephew about this since he wants a 3DS XL for Christmas.
Thank you for participating in this promotion!
Within the next few days, you will receive an email from us containing your unique download code for
Super Mario 3D Land
as well as further information on how and when to redeem this code. For now though, sit back and enjoy your Nintendo 3DS XL system!
Your Nintendo Team
YEY!
@3DSNoobieNerd: No you aren't... I am.
Damn Nintendo stop making me want an XL!
If anyone doesn't want any of those games and would prefer Virtual Console or WiiWare titles on Wii instead, let me know! Got some Wii Points on my console going to waste + i'd be up for trading
No love for America? Ah well, it wouldn't have mattered anyway since I have a regular 3DS.
Thank you for adding "of Europe" in the title so us USA citizens don't get overly excited reading the headline.
(I get enough abuse with my US PS+ account, the EU PS+ has it WAY better.)
@rjejr it's true that europe has a better ps+ but the US ps-store is alot better then what we have here in europe
They're really going nuts on the bundles, and I've got to say it's a very smart move! For a couple days at Best Buy there was a red 3DS with Super Mario 3D Land pre-installed for $150 (which is a $60 savings)! Get that system and that Mario game into as many hands as possible and you've got a boatload of customers.
Thanks for the tip, Nintendolife! I forgot to register my XL, and now i get a free copy of Super Mario Land...yippy!
OK so im stuck what do I get
I already own a retail copy of Super Mario Land and I just bought professor layton (how infuriating) I own freaky forms the original
So Art Academy or Style Boutique
Help guys baring mind I own colours 3d
Style boutique looks a bit ho hum
a excellent deal indeed.
@Boo_Buster You do realize Nintendo of Japan is in charge of NoA too, right? The "companies" are actually one company
I choosed Mario 3D Land.
Wow nice freebie...I would have chosen 3dland.
Also I guess that in the end, we people who got a 3ds when it got its first price cut are going to be screwed at the end >.>
I hope that at some point, some of you grasp the concept of "promotion." It is an incentive for people to buy a 3DS XL. Nintendo is not Father Christmas, you are not automatically entitled to free things for not being on his naughty list.
Giving free games away to all 3DS owners would achieve nothing asides making shareholders believe that NoE had truly gone off on the deep end.
Also, none of you are being screwed by not being eligible for a special offer. Stop acting like 5-year-olds.
If NoA did this, I'd get an XL. Otherwise, I'm not going to bother upsizing.
@PinkSpider Hey if you've got a Wii i'd gift you 3200 Wii Points worth of Virtual Console or WiiWare titles in exchange for your code if you're up for it! Might end up better for you cos you've already got the good titles on the list, haha
free mario DLC now a free game something fishy is goin on
If this comes to the US, I'll be all over it. Snag the blue Mario Kart 7 XL bundle and get Mario 3D Land free! Nintendo is so giving.
Moan, moan, "I bought the 3DS when it first came out knowing full well what I bought, got free unexpected ambassadors games but I want more", moan, moan
Hey @martyn thanks for the offer but I decided to give the code to my GF in the end
WHAT?
Where's the love for US XL owners, NoA?
Wow and al this on my birthday. Thanks Nintendo!
Its clear they want to now their customers e-mail addresses and they want us in the eShop. Giving away a free game pretty much guarantees we will do our best to find the eShop and download a game. They are hoping we will come back after that.
The same promotion for the original 3DS would create problems because of the small SD Storage. Sure you can upgrade but for most common customers thats a big hurdle.
I live in the US and its ok you guys need some compensation for the late Wii U. Besides I have the original 3ds anyway
I got a 3ds on launch day, paid the premium for getting it early, was pleased to get the ambassador games (for free!) and can't have any complaints about this deal - we should be giving Nintendo credit not slagging them off! 24 hours til midnight launch of wiiU...
@SMW If I go for the deal here in the UK, those are the options I would be going with.
I've got a 3DS XL...already got Mario and Layton, but I won't refuse a free download of Freakyforms.
What a deal!
Let's all complain about free stuff!
Again!
@Wheels2050: come on, like you expected it to not happen :3
Miracle Mask for Me!
I already have physical copies of Mario 3D Land and Art Academy, and I'm not really that interested in Freakyforms or Style Botique. So Professor Layton it is for me, I wanted to get this one eventually anyway! (Although I wanted a physical copy over a digital one, but oh well!)
Poor AU gets nothing again
that rly is unfair what about us in the US i got my xl too you know xP weres my free game
I hate Club Nintendo! Yes, I live in Europe, but I'm not able to be a member because I live in Norway. No one in Scandinavia (a group of countries that includes Norway, Sweden, Denmark and in some cases Iceland and Finland) can be a member of Club Nintendo. So this isn't for "Europeans" it's for "selected countries in Europe", considering there are at least 3, maybe as many as 5 countries in Europe that can't be a member of Club Nintendo.
This is awesome.
@DarkNinja9 It was really unfair when us guys in Europe didn't get a free charger with our 3DS XLs. A free game > than a free charger though
@Phle Ah, that sucks No need to swear about it though.
I feel like this free game justifies some games not seeing the light of day here in Europe, such as the Kirby collection for Wii (which I really wanted to get, as well as Mario Super Sluggers and ExciteBots, both of which never released here either).
Either way I still feel sorry for everyone who won't be able to take part in this!
@dudey300 XLs can be Ambassador systems. In my opinion, that makes it not-a-fair-trade. True, you need a regular to get that Ambassador status but... You know...
Anyway, I agree with everyone upset about NoAU not bringing this to us. I already have Super Mario 3D Land and Professor Layton and I don't want the others, except maybe New Art Academy which I would rather have physically like everything else... But this still upsets me.
Geez. Nintendo can never win.
@Magikarp Not my recollection when waiting for PS3 games to pass certification and following up to find there's green blood to coded and such as well as multilanguage support that we don't need.
I don't live under that big of a red rock the R18 is long overdue but the costs is a new one - games yes but not classification.
@dambuster re: sony suggestion... 42?
What about Australia? The Aussie club Nintendo site is so broken beyond belief right now.
Gives original 3DS owners who waited so long for the console 20 old games. Gives people who just buy 3DS XL for no specific reason the choice of a shiny, new, quality game...
WHYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY NINTENDO I LOVE U BUT IM NOT RICH!!!!!
(I know that the games are great, and I like them, but come on! At least let the 3DS ambassadors get a free game too! We're called ambassadors for a reason!)
@TheAdza I hope it's something worthwhile...
In my opinion the ambassador program is a much better reward than a free 3ds game. There are some real gems in the ambassador program like Yoshi's Island, Warioware, Metroid Fusion and Zelda Minish Cap. Don't get me wrong, I would love a free game but I'm more than happy with what I have got given for free already.
Anyone got their game yet?
Any idea how long untill the email turns up?
@SilentHunter382 So it was YOU who won my Toad 3DS!!! Darn you!
Also, don't forget about free Four Swords and Pokedex 3D!
My download code just arrived!! oh yeah! but redeeming it requires a month long wait LOL
Hiya can anyone tell me how long it takes for them to email code, did mine 4 days ago, now when I click on banner it just comes up with how to claim it guide, is it doing that for everyone else that's already claimed?
@disney1983 They emailed my SM3DL Download code, 48 hours after I have successfully submitted the form.
And yes, when you click the banner again after submitting the claim form successfully, The terms of the promotion will appear instead of the claim form.
Ooh maybe it's just taking them some time, because I see the eshop is down too
Today I bought a 3DS XL Pikachu Yellow limited edition and I will definitely download "Professor Layton and the Miracle Mask". Because I already bough "Super Mario 3D Land" otherwise my choice would be harder.
I got the pikachu ds and registered it and now my email is missing so I dont have my code or game wat do I do?
So Finland is not in Europe!?!?!? Where is it then damnit!?!?!!?
I get less games, because nobody brings games here, and still pay higher prices because of taxes(and then some!), but get nothing even in our regional(and very rare too) special offers.
I AM VERY ANGRY AT YOU NINTENDO!!!
What the f*** are you waiting for, Nintendo of America?
@Philippvs Hey, I'm also from the PH, do you think it would be safe to buy this from the French Amazon site? http://www.amazon.fr/Console-3DS-XL-jaune-Pikachu/dp/B009ODG9TK/ref=sr_tr_sr_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1350127604&sr=8-2 It's the Pikachu 3DS XL
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