If you have a Nintendo Switch Online subscription, there are free rewards waiting for you right now that you might have missed. Nintendo has quietly launched a limited-time promotion that gives members 100 Platinum Points just for starting a GameChat session. At the same time, a fresh wave of Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream profile icons has arrived in the rewards shop.
Neither of these requires a purchase. Both are available starting today. Here is exactly what you can claim and how to do it.
Promotion 1: 100 Platinum Points for Using GameChat
The C button on your Nintendo Switch 2 Joy-Con has been sitting there, and Nintendo wants you to press it. A new limited-time mission rewards players with 100 My Nintendo Platinum Points simply for starting a GameChat session.
The Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Reward | 100 My Nintendo Platinum Points |
| Requirement | Start a GameChat session (voice or video) |
| Eligibility | Active Nintendo Switch Online membership (any tier) |
| Deadline | April 22, 2026 at 5:59 PM PT |
| How to Claim | Complete mission, then visit NSO app on Switch within 30 days |
| Device Required | Nintendo Switch 2 only |
GameChat became a paid feature on April 1, 2026, moving behind the Nintendo Switch Online subscription wall. This promotion is Nintendo’s way of reminding Switch 2 owners that the feature exists and encouraging them to try it.
How to Claim the 100 Platinum Points
Step 1: Complete Initial Setup (First-Time Users Only)
- If you have never used GameChat before, you must complete the initial setup before you can earn the reward.
- Open GameChat from the HOME Menu or press the C button on your Joy-Con 2.
- Follow the on-screen prompts to configure your microphone and camera settings.
Step 2: Start a GameChat Session
- Open GameChat by tapping the icon on the HOME Menu or pressing the C button on your Joy-Con 2 controller.
- You can start a session solo or invite friends. Either way counts toward the mission.
- You do not need to stay in the session for any specific length of time. Starting it is enough.
Step 3: Claim Your Points
- After starting a GameChat session, the mission is automatically marked as complete.
- Open the Nintendo Switch Online app on your Switch 2 HOME Menu.
- Navigate to Missions and Rewards.
- Your 100 Platinum Points will be available to claim.
- You have 30 days from completing the mission to collect the points before they expire.
Important: The mission and icon elements are available until April 22 at 5:59 PM PT. You must start a GameChat session before that deadline to qualify.
Promotion 2: Tomodachi Life Icons (Four Weekly Waves)
Alongside the launch of Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream, Nintendo has released a new collection of profile icon elements exclusive to Nintendo Switch Online members. These are not automatically awarded. You must spend Platinum Points to claim them.
Wave Schedule
| Wave | Availability | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Wave 1 | April 16 – April 22, 2026 | Live Now |
| Wave 2 | April 23 – April 29, 2026 | Upcoming |
| Wave 3 | April 30 – May 6, 2026 | Upcoming |
| Wave 4 | May 7 – May 13, 2026 | Upcoming |
Each wave introduces a new set of icon parts that can be mixed and matched to create a custom profile icon. Once a wave expires, those specific elements are no longer available.
Wave 1 Contents and Pricing
The first wave includes the following items, all themed around the quirky world of Tomodachi Life:
| Item Type | Quantity | Platinum Point Cost (Each) |
|---|---|---|
| Characters | 10 | 10 Points |
| Backgrounds | 5 | 5 Points |
| Frames | 5 | 5 Points |
Character icons include Mii characters with speech bubbles and specific foods from the game. Backgrounds and frames are modeled after the game’s personality types and color schemes.
How to Redeem Tomodachi Life Icons
- From the Nintendo Switch or Switch 2 HOME Menu, open the Nintendo Switch Online app (red icon).
- Navigate to Missions and Rewards.
- Scroll to the Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream section.
- Browse the available icon elements.
- Spend your Platinum Points to claim the ones you want.
- Mix and match elements in your profile settings to create a custom icon.
The icons you claim are permanently added to your account and can be used or changed at any time.
Other Active Freebies You Might Have Missed
Tomodachi Life is not the only source of free icons right now. Several other collections are still active:
| Collection | Availability | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Super Mario Galaxy Series | Through May 6, 2026 | New waves weekly |
| Animal Crossing: New Horizons (April Birthdays) | Through May 4, 2026 | Villager-themed icons |
| GameChat Themed Icons | Through April 22, 2026 | Unlocked with Platinum Points from promotion |
The Animal Crossing set celebrates villagers with April birthdays and requires playing the game to unlock additional rewards.
What Are Platinum Points and How Do You Earn More?
If you are new to the Nintendo Switch Online rewards ecosystem, here is a quick primer.
What They Are:
My Nintendo Platinum Points are a digital currency earned by completing missions. They can be redeemed for digital rewards (like profile icons) and occasionally physical items from the My Nintendo Store.
How to Earn More:
| Activity | Points Earned |
|---|---|
| Starting GameChat (limited time) | 100 Points |
| Playing select Nintendo games | Varies |
| Purchasing digital games from eShop | Percentage of purchase |
| Completing weekly NSO missions | Varies |
| Using the Nintendo mobile apps | Varies |
Important: Platinum Points expire after a certain period of inactivity. Check your My Nintendo account to see your current balance and expiration dates.
Why Nintendo Is Pushing GameChat
The GameChat promotion is not random. Since the feature moved behind the Nintendo Switch Online paywall on April 1, 2026, usage has reportedly been low. Many Switch 2 owners have never tried it, and some have pressed the C button by accident thinking it was the Home button.
Nintendo is using this Platinum Points incentive to get players familiar with the feature. Even if you do not plan to use GameChat regularly, the 100 free points are worth the 30 seconds it takes to start a session.
FAQ: Common Questions About the Promotions
Q: Do I need a paid Nintendo Switch Online membership for these rewards?
A: Yes. Both the GameChat promotion and the icon rewards require an active Nintendo Switch Online membership (any tier).
Q: Can I earn the 100 Platinum Points if I do not own a Switch 2?
A: No. GameChat is exclusive to Nintendo Switch 2. Original Switch owners cannot participate in this specific promotion.
Q: Do I need to talk to anyone in GameChat to get the points?
A: No. Simply starting a session—even an empty one with no other participants—qualifies for the reward.
Q: How long do I have to claim the points after completing the mission?
A: You have 30 days from the date you complete the mission to visit the NSO app and claim the points.
Q: Will the Tomodachi Life icons return after the waves expire?
A: Nintendo occasionally re-runs popular icon sets, but there is no guarantee. If you want them, claim them while they are available.
Q: What can I spend Platinum Points on besides icons?
A: Points can be redeemed for physical rewards (shipping fees may apply), digital wallpapers, and occasional sweepstakes entries through the My Nintendo website.
Summary Checklist
| Task | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Start a GameChat session | April 22, 2026 at 5:59 PM PT |
| Claim 100 Platinum Points in NSO app | Within 30 days of completing mission |
| Redeem Tomodachi Life Wave 1 icons | Before April 22, 2026 |
| Check back for Wave 2 icons | Starting April 23, 2026 |
| Browse Super Mario Galaxy icons | Through May 6, 2026 |
The Bottom Line
These are small rewards, but they are genuinely free. The GameChat promotion takes less than a minute and gives you 100 Platinum Points—enough to claim a full set of Tomodachi Life icons with points left over. If you are already paying for Nintendo Switch Online, you might as well grab what you are entitled to.
Have you claimed your free Platinum Points yet? Which Tomodachi Life icon are you using for your profile? Let us know in the comments.
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