I just use my points to by Virtual Console games for my Wii U. For example, I've gotten Kirby's Adventure, Kirby Superstar, and Star Fox 64 for free.

I don't see what problem is, it's fine. It's free and it's gotten me a couple of cool stuff over the years. Why would I complain about that? Especially when no-one else is doing something similar and Nintendo isn't obligated to any of those things in any way. I'd take my free cool physical things over paid subscriptions to digital content any day.

I also don't see what Samus's deal is. Not to start some argument, but as a Nintendo-fan and a European user of Club Nintendo, I cannot relate at all, but whatever.

Check out my Club Nintendo history (doesn't include the digital games I got for my daughter--damn One Console per person rule)!

It's really not free stuff. To buy say the Zelda posters. It requires you to use more than $300 in games. VS you just buying them for what $40?

I just did a summary in d21lewis thread; and since 15/09/2007 I've gained 9625 stars.
Only been able to spend 6000 stars exchanged to 1500 in Nintendo points (equivalent to 15 euros).

Nintendo has given me back 2 euros each year.

It is free cause its a rewards program... You don't buy the game for the rewards, you buy the game cause u want to play it and the rewards that they offer is an additional bonus. Its like if I were to go up to a hooker and pay for sex and after I had sex with that hooker for a certain numer of times, she gives me a free bj afterwards... I am not paying her for that bj nor am I paying to have sex for that bj but since I am a returning customer, she thought of it as a way to reward me for choosing her instead of others. The reason I like her the most is cause of her sexual techiques, not cause of the free bj and if I want more free shit stuff on top of the free bj, then I am just acting like an entitled person cause she didn't need to give me that in the first place cause I never paid her for it to begin with

It's a free gift service. What's not to like? Ok maybe the prizes are a bit cheap but hey it's free so...

I've gotten plenty of games that I probably wouldn't have otherwise gotten from the service. Just a few days ago I got Kid Icarus: Of Myths and Monsters because I got Kid Icarus: 3D Classics from Club Nintendo and I absolutely loved it... The service isn't perfect (some of the game prices seem a little steep) but I am extremely glad it exists...

But you aren't buying those games for the points...the points are just a bonus. If Club Nintendo didn't exist, you would probably still have bought those games, so yeah, its pretty much free (unless you are crazy and buy games just for the Club Nintendo points and that seems a little backwards to me).

Whaaaa whaaa whaaa

I won't buy a PlayStation 4 because it costs more than $40 and I don't get 6 free games with it. Both Sony and I lose out.

This is how it works in the real world: You and Nintendo disagree what the best price point for their product is. You get to make the decission if you'll buy the game or not, Nintendo prices their products so that they protect their investments in the current game and their future offerings. If that proves to be too rich for you then don't buy the game. Nintendo doesn't owe you anything. They offer you their products and you decide if it's worth it for you or not, end of story. No shit they would sell more if they gave away two free games with every game you sold and free Zero suit Samus sex dolls with every purchase. Or better yet, if they gave away the game for free with a $50 gift certificate and Iwata comes to your house and does the dishes every time you buy their games. 

True, but Still works both ways. If Nintendo did release those JPN soundtracks, and the SNES controller in the US store. I'd buy a lot more games to get them. I wouldn't skipped Wonderful 101 or Pikmin 3, for example. That's how it encourages you to buy more. It is free in a normal sense. But If they actually gave something worthwild, they get more out of me. Right now I leave my coins to just expire. I frankly only register to have the game in my database.