Folder sets and bookmarks with Toad & Friends, Mario & Friends and Bowser themes will hit Club Nintendo members in the pocket for 250 coins. Greeting card sets for Nintendogs and Mario & Luigi are a also available for any Thank You Note needs you may have, a pricier 300 coins.

Club Nintendo [Official Site]

Yes, a real Game & Watch, not the digital version as seen in the previous Club Nintendo exclusive Game & Watch Collection for the Nintendo DS. Ball was the very first release in Nintendo's Game & Watch line of dedicated LCD games, released way, way back in 1980.

Gold caliber Club Nintendo members get a calendar and a little pat on the head.

Club Nintendo Member Presents [Club Nintendo of Japan]

The Club Nintendo present, currently announced only for Japanese customers, will set members back a mere 50 points. What they'll get in exchange is a motion controlled Ultrahand sim, a game that involves grilling turkey, kabobs and ham, then snatching that meat and putting it on a plate. Successful meat grabbing nets players combos and flaming power-ups, adding to the thrill of Wii controller tilting. Control requires a Nunchuk and Wii Remote, acting as the Ultrahand's two levers, plus a desire to virtually grill savory treats.

Nintendo's Ultrahand was designed by Game Boy creator Gunpei Yokoi and originally released for the low price of 600 yen. And now it can be yours, for a mere 50 Club Nintendo points. Yokoi would be so proud.

Wii de Ultrahand [Club Nintendo Japan]

The same is true for the other goods Club Nintendo gave away to Gold and Silver members, with reports from Kotakuland of Mario hats and Animal Crossing calendars making their way to serious Nintendo fans this week. I haven't received my download ticket for Doc Louis' Punch-Out!! (yet), but we've heard some reports that attempts to grab a download code have met with a technical uppercut.

Who out there has had lucking downloading the game from WiiWare?

That means you should keep an eye out for the Mario hat or Animal Crossing calendar that you may have opted for this year, lest your neighbor steal your mail and coveted Nintendo-themed trinket. Club Nintendo cautions "even though your friends or neighbors may receive their Reward before you do, please be assured that your order is being processed too!" So be patient.

We've not heard of anyone receiving their Club Nintendo goods yet, but we're sure we will soon enough. Thanks to everyone from the tips line for the heads up! (Even though I got my notification too!)

The poster is 16.5 by 28.7 inches, accompanied by two 22 by 28 inch promotion posters for Phantom Hourglass and Twilight Princess. They may be redeemed for 350 coins.

The Legend of Zelda Three-Poster Series [Club Nintendo, thanks Tim]

Me? I'm going for Doc Louis's Punch-Out!!, somewhat reluctantly. I dig physical goods, but what am I going to do with a plush Mario hat? I don't have a pet to humiliate with it, so that's right out. I also have no space to store such things. So a digital downloading I will go!

Of course, Gold members—who we look down upon, naturally—can still get their Animal Crossing themed calendar (*giggle*) if that's all they could muster up in a year. Oh, you'll still have fun with it, Golds!

Anyway, don't forget!!

Club Nintendo

Nintendo passed along these new screens in order to help anyone still struggling with the choice between this downloadable game and the replica Mario hat, both offered as Platinum rewards to club members. Those eligible only have until August 11th to choose, after which you get nothing but shame for ignoring warnings much like these.

This is what it looks like. An awful lot like the Wii-imagined Punch-Out!!, obviously, but with the ability to box Little Mac's trainer Doc Louis. You'll also have the opportunity to be gently touched by Doc, as seen in the other screen shot Nintendo released today.

Looks amazingly comforting, doesn't it?

I'm still on the fence about which of the three items I'll choose, but leaning heavily toward Doc Louis's Punch-Out!!. I'm all set on hats, thanks.

According to Nintendo.com, Customers are able to register select merchandise for Nintendo Coins, which can be redeemed for Club Nintendo items. Those who reach a certain amount of Coins can become for eligible for Platinum and Gold Membership, which makes it possible to receive "exclusive" rewards. Want to see what kind of rewards?

Platinum Members can get downloadable title Doc Louis's Punch-Out!!, which allows players to fight Little Mac's coach, Doc Louis. Also available is replica Mario hat.

Gold Members get a calendar. Yes, a calender.

Thanks to all who sent this in!

North American Club Nintendo members of "Elite" standing, like myself, will be notified about the opportunity to claim prizes in July. But those free goodies might not ship for a while after that. Official word from Nintendo says that the freebies will be distributed to members "before the end of the calendar year." That could mean months of painful waiting!

Club Nintendo of Japan members were most recently treated to a trio of goods—a gold painted Mario Kart Wii wheel, a Club Nintendo calendar for 2009 and a plush-looking Mario hat—something we hope Nintendo of America will one-up for its American fans. May I suggest something, anything, in Wario purple and gold? Or this?

Incidentally, the answer to what I'll spend my 1,000 Club Nintendo coins on is... nothing.

You have until next Tuesday to rack up the required "coins" to ensure you're of Gold or Platinum membership caliber. Doing so will net you some cool, undisclosed Nintendo related thing that you can possess, look at, and have others covet. Those coins can be acquired by registering Nintendo games and answering surveys, a small price to pay for material ownership of some thing—which could very well be a cool thing.

Accumulated coins will still be available to spend on Nintendo-themed tchotchkes, but your status will be reset next week. Don't be left in the cold! Join me in being PLATINUM.

And thanks to everyone who reminded us to remind you.

Club Nintendo

But wait! There's a catch! The special coloured controllers are being offered as part of a Club Nintendo deal for Wii Sports Resort's launch, and rather than being purchased with Club Nintendo Points, are being given away. To be eligible, you need to buy a copy of Wii Sports Resort, register it online, then hope you're one of the lucky ones (there are only 5000 sets being given away).

The competition is only open from June 25 to August 31, and with only 5000 on offer, these will be sure to fetch a premium on the open market. Provided, that is, Nintendo don't go and release them officially later in the year.

Long, drawn out decisions have never been my strong point, particularly when it comes to the more trivial. Being a Platinum Club Nintendo member has its privileges (mysterious annual gifts!) but it also forces one to decide—should I get the Nintendo-themed hanafuda cards? I really have no idea how to play a game of koi-koi or hachi-hachi. I'm unlikely to be willing to learn.

Should I reward myself with the Game & Watch Collection for the Nintendo DS? It's possible I'll play that less than the hanafuda card set.

Perhaps I'm overlooking the best that Club Nintendo has to offer. Maybe that silver Nintendo DS card case is the greatest thing since sliced bread.

So I'm leaving the decision up to the clearly opinionated Kotaku commenter crowd. Of all the things one can acquire with 1000 coins, what should I get? Who has already redeemed coins for prizes? Should I hold off, hoping desperately that Nintendo will release Wii Remotes or GameCube controllers in a Wario color scheme?

Bah! I give up. Help!

In other words: check your e-mail, registered Club Nintendo members! We've heard of events at GameStops 'round the country, some of which start as early as this Sunday. The exclusive DSi preview showings require a printed invite and a photo ID, if you're planning on showing up uninvited.

My own invite must've been lost in the tubes, sadly, even though I've totally gone Platinum. Maybe there simply isn't a local event in Los Angeles. But I've already played with one so I don't wanna go to your stupid party anyway, Nintendo! *sobs*

Thanks to Kyle, Benny, Timmy & Kenny!

Yup. Five. Count 'em! One. Two. Three. Four. Five. There's a couple of DS holder things, a Mario face towel, a Wii Remote box and the Game & Watch collection. No prizes for guessing which of that lot is going to hit "sold out" status first.

That's all that could be scraped together in nearly 12 months? And Nintendo wonders why PAL customers cluck their tongues.

[Club Nintendo Australia]

Yes, what was once the domain of Japanese fanboys and cashed-up import fiends is now yours to enjoy for the "modest" price of $75, courtesy of online retailer Play-Asia. Which may sound like a lot, but remember. This is a Wii Classic Controller that looks exactly like a SNES pad.

Super Famicom Classic Controller [Club Nintendo Limited Edition] [Play-Asia]

Why was this particular Nintendo fan singled out? His 118 product registrations filed at the My Nintendo fan club. The nosy Nintendo president and Chief Operating Officer wrote "During the transition from My Nintendo to Club Nintendo, I noticed just how many product registrations you have on file, and I was very impressed." That's right. All Club Nintendo submissions are personally reviewed by the Reggienator.

"I can tell you are a huge Nintendo fan, and I wanted to take this opportunity to thank you for your years of support," the letter read. Sure, it's a form letter and Reggie's signature is printed, but it's the thought that counts. Right?

As someone who semi-regularly receives far less cordial letters from corporate executives and public relations people, color me jealous. Anyone else get one?

Fils-Aime tells GameDaily that Nintendo that "We listen to our fans all the time."

But what about the grumble-inducing decisions? Things like Friend Codes, meager Wii storage options and an online gaming solution that feels very last-gen?

"We're not claiming our way of doing things is better or worse than anyone else – it's just different," Reggie contends. "We're on record for each of the items you cite, so I won't rehash all that here. But I will say that we listen very closely to what people have to say, both pro and con, and keep those feelings in mind as we plan ahead."

The NOA prez points to the adoption of Club Nintendo as evidence that Nintendo fan requests aren't falling on deaf ears. Hey, how about getting that Club Nintendo running a bit more reliably, Reg? We'll be right as rain once we can finally finish claiming our Nintendo hanafuda cards!

10 Questions: Nintendo's Reggie Fils-Aime [GameDaily]

Yes, along with your personal information and Mii, your impossible to remember Friend Code can be included. They're pricey, in membership terms, as 30 of the cards will set you back 150 precious Club Nintendo Points.

The cards require the Wii's currently Japan-only Digicam Print Channel and, for all intents and purposes, a residency in Japan.

Wii Number Exchange Business Cards [Club Nintendo via WiiFanboy]