Frequently Asked Questions

I'm not a member of Club Nintendo – how can I sign up?

In order to become a Club Nintendo member, you need to register at least one registerable Nintendo system or boxed game on the Club Nintendo website. You can find a red product registration card inside the packaging of all current Nintendo systems (excluding Wii U) and many Wii U, Nintendo 3DS, Wii and Nintendo DS games – enter the printed code on the Product Registration section of the Club Nintendo site and then follow the on-screen instructions.

Please note that downloadable versions of games downloaded from Nintendo eShop cannot be registered if the Wii U console or Nintendo 3DS family system used to download them is not first linked to a Club Nintendo account; as such, they cannot be used to become a Club Nintendo member. However, PIN codes for Mario Kart 8 received by downloading the game from Nintendo eShop can be used to create a Club Nintendo account.

Also, some older boxed titles may no longer be registrable, as product registration codes can expire.

Find out how to register Wii U in Club Nintendo in our Support section.


Do bundles count towards the promotion?

Yes. The Mario Kart 8 PIN code found in the Mario Kart 8 Premium Pack - Special Edition or Mario Kart 8 Limited Edition is valid for this promotion.


My Nintendo Network ID is linked to my Club Nintendo account. If I download Mario Kart 8 from Nintendo eShop on Wii U, do I participate in this promotion automatically?

If you download Mario Kart 8 from Nintendo eShop, you will see a PIN code displayed on-screen after completing the process. Register this PIN code with Club Nintendo to take part in this promotion, then follow the remaining steps in our How to Claim section.


Where do I find the PIN code when purchasing Mario Kart 8 from Nintendo eShop?

The PIN code can be found on-screen after purchasing the game from Nintendo eShop. It is also always available on the receipt for the downloadable version of Mario Kart 8, found within "Menu", then "Account Activity" in Nintendo eShop.


Where do I find the PIN code when redeeming a download code for Mario Kart 8 in Nintendo eShop?

The PIN code can be found on-screen after redeeming the download code in Nintendo eShop. It is also always available on the receipt for the downloadable version of Mario Kart 8, found within "Menu", then "Account Activity" in Nintendo eShop.


I have registered the PIN code for Mario Kart 8 and selected my eligible game but I haven't received my download code yet – what should I do?

If it is less than seven days since you claimed your free download code, please be patient – while we aim to send you a code as soon as possible after registration, there may be an unexpected delay in the email process.

If it is more than seven days since you registered for your free download code and you haven't received it, please do the following:

Log into the Club Nintendo website and check the banners at the top of the page – any download code allocated to your account through this promotion will be shown here.

Check the Spam/Junk folder of your email account, as your Club Nintendo email may have been directed here depending on how your email account is set up.

Check that the email address linked to your Club Nintendo account is correct in the My Personal Data section of the Club Nintendo website. If it isn't, then the email address provided during the registration process may also be wrong – please enter the correct email address and then contact the Nintendo Support Centre.

If – having registered the PIN code for Mario Kart 8, claimed your download code, conformed to the Terms & Conditions of this promotion and followed the above steps – you still don't have your free download code, please contact the Nintendo Support Centre.


When can I redeem my download code?

As soon as you receive it. Codes will be sent out as soon as possible following your claim.


Which Wii U console do I have to redeem my download code through?

You can use your free download code to download your game onto any Wii U console with access to Nintendo eShop via an internet connection (acceptance of the Nintendo Network Agreement and Privacy Policy is required). You cannot, however, download the same game onto multiple Wii U consoles.


How do I know if my Wii U console has sufficient storage space to download my chosen game?

To find out how much storage space is available on your Wii U console, select "System Settings" from the Wii U Menu, then "Data Management" and "Copy/Move/Delete Data". The amount of available storage space is displayed beneath "System Memory".

Depending on the Wii U hardware pack you own and your use of it, an additional storage device may be necessary when downloading software from Nintendo eShop. Visit our Support site for more information about compatible USB storage devices.


How can I free up more storage space on my Wii U console?

It's possible to free up available storage space by deleting data that is no longer required. This can be done by navigating to "System Settings" from the Wii U Menu, then "Data Management" and "Copy/Move/Delete Data".

When selecting multiple items for deletion, the free space indicator in the bottom-right corner of the Data Management screen will change to reflect how much storage space will be available after deletion.

Please note that deleted data cannot be recovered. Please exercise caution when deleting data.


How can I increase the total amount of available storage space for my Wii U console?

Wii U supports USB hard disk drives with a dedicated power source, called self-powered USB. The maximum amount of storage supported by Wii U is 2 TB (terabytes).

For more information about Wii U storage, please visit our Support section.


My child created a Club Nintendo account using the PIN code for Mario Kart 8, and I received an email asking for my permission. If I don't give my permission, can the PIN code be used later, or on a different account?

Unfortunately this is not possible. If parental permission for the creation of the Club Nintendo account is not given, the PIN code used to apply for that account becomes void, and cannot be used again later.


I've changed my mind about which game I would like. Can I request a code for a different game?

Unfortunately this is not possible.


After starting my download of Mario Kart 8 from Nintendo eShop, I saw "Issued Codes" on-screen. What does this mean?

This is the PIN code for Mario Kart 8. Please visit our How to Claim page for information on how to proceed.


I downloaded Mario Kart 8 from Nintendo eShop, but I've forgotten my PIN code. Where can I find it again?

The PIN code is always available on the receipt for the downloadable version of Mario Kart 8, found within "Menu", then "Account Activity" in Nintendo eShop.


Can I take part in this promotion as well as the Super Mario Kart Nintendo eShop promotion?

Yes, this is possible.


My Club Nintendo account wasn't linked to my Nintendo Network ID when I downloaded Mario Kart 8 from Nintendo eShop on Wii U. I registered the PIN code I found on my Nintendo eShop receipt with Club Nintendo, but I didn't get any Stars. How can I claim my Stars?

The survey will appear at a later date during the promotional period, so please log in to Club Nintendo later and visit My Account to take the survey and claim your Stars.


Is there an expiry date on my free download code?

Yes – you must redeem your free download code by 22:59 (UK time) on September 30th 2014.