We’re not exactly sure why you’d want to do this, but Nintendo is making it possible. If you visit Nintendo’s official website and click on any of the upcoming titles, like Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker, you’ll be presented with a trailer for the game, as well as the option to find retail stores that will carry it, or you can pre-order the digital version of the game.

This seems like an easy way for Nintendo to start offering pre-orders on their digitally sold games without giving you the benefit of being able to pre-load the game on the console before release date. Perhaps this will pave the way toward that? It’s something Microsoft has allowed with the Xbox One for a few months now.

If you could pre-order a digital title and get all of the downloading out of the way a few days early so that on release date, you’re ready to play the game, would you consider going that route instead of waiting to buy retail?

http://wiiudaily.com/2014/10/nintendo-now-lets-you-pre-order-your-digital-titles/

Welp, I guess its one step at a time lolll. I hope they do the pre-loading soon cause there is no reason to pre-order digitally as of right now since that feature is missing

I know why you'd do this: To get more DDP cash!

And to help put moolah in Ninty's pocket so they can market these games properly.

^ Yeah, I figured it would start downloading the game to your console as soon as it's ready. Otherwise, a digital pre-order sounds dumb. It's not even like pre-ordering a copy of a game on disc, where there is a risk of retailers running out of stock.

How to Purchase or Pre-Order Nintendo eShop Games on Nintendo.com

Applies to: Wii U Deluxe, Wii U Basic, Nintendo 3DS, Nintendo 3DS XL, Nintendo 2DS

Step by step instructions for ordering or pre-ordering a game through Nintendo's website.
Key Points:

This service is currently available for select 1st-party titles only.
Check the specific Game Info page (via www.nintendo.com/games) to determine whether a game can be purchased through the website.
All games are also for sale through the Nintendo eShop.
Some games are available for pre-order. Pre-ordered games can be purchased ahead of time, and downloaded on the game's release day.
Games can be purchased through a Guest checkout, or they can be associated with a Nintendo Network ID.

What to Do:

Visit www.nintendo.com/games and search for the game you want to purchase.
Click the game title in the search results to reach the Game Info page for it.
Click "Buy Digital" (for released titles) or "Pre-Order" (not yet released).
Games without this option are not available for purchase through the website. In that case, the game can be purchased through a retailer or through the Nintendo eShop instead.
On the main checkout page, you will be prompted to use either a Guest account or a Nintendo Network ID to make the purchase.

How is the purchase being made?

Nintendo Network ID 

Click the orange "Sign in" button.
Enter the Nintendo Network ID and Password into the appropriate fields, and click "Sign In."
Enter the credit card Name, Number, CVC Number, Card Type, and Expiration Date info into the appropriate fields.
If you have elected to save credit card info from a previous purchase, credit card information will already be retained here. You can either use the same credit card information as before, or click "Enter new card" to enter new information.
Click "Complete" to place the order.
A confirmation screen will appear with your download code, and directions to redeem the game using the download code or a Nintendo Network ID.
For pre-orders, you will receive a confirmation email but you will not be able to redeem the game until the game's release day.
For help redeeming a game, click here.


• Guest Checkout

Enter the email address that you want the order confirmation and download code to be sent to. (You will need to enter it twice to confirm.)
Enter the billing address for the credit card.
Click "Next."
Enter the credit card Name, Number, CVC Number, Card Type, and Expiration Date info into the appropriate fields.
Click "Complete" to place the order.
A confirmation screen will appear with your download code, and directions to redeem the game using the download code or a Nintendo Network ID.
For pre-orders, you will receive a confirmation email but you will not be able to redeem the game until the game's release day.
For help redeeming a game, click here.

You'd still get that DDP cash if you didn't buy the game until Dec. 31. Without a feature that automatically downloads the game to your console, it's a bit useless. But hey, it's progress. We're getting somewhere one step at a time.

It does give you some more flexibility in *when* you have your DDP cash too. That way you can take advantage of sales that may occur in the meanwhile before release.

If you preordered the MK8 DLC -- you'll see that you earned points towards the DDP for that transaction.

Baby steps...

This would've been nice for Mario Kart instead of staying up all night to make sure the download works when I had a quiz the next day...

Good point. I also just realized that it gives you more flexibility in when you have your Club Nintendo coints too. I spent 40 minutes last night doing a bunch of surveys for games I haven't even played yet because the deadline to earn coins on them was about to expire. With a download code, I can wait until I'm ready to actually play the game.