For a long time, I’ve thought it was unnecessary for Microsoft to incorporate achievements, and Sony to implement a trophy system into its games. But, the more I thought about it, the more I realized that it’s a checklist of sorts, that makes some players spend more time on the game, and encourages the player to explore parts of the game that they may otherwise would have passed over. So, if Nintendo were to incorporate their version of achievements or trophies, how could they do so using incentives?

First, what do I mean when I pertain to an incentive? So, a few examples I have are when I received a platinum Trophy in Spider-man on PlayStation 4, and I unlocked a Spider-man profile picture to use, which I currently sport today. Second example was on the Nintendo Wii, when I completed Metroid Prime 3: Corruption, I was given a picture of Samus wearing her suit in a digital art piece that said 100 percent complete. This could be accessed from the main screen on the Wii and was like a cool reward for all my efforts — almost like I received a certificate in some class I completed over a span of a few weeks. So here are my thoughts on what Nintendo could do on the switch today.

• Exclusive Profile Pictures – The simplest way is to have exclusive profile picture unlocks after completing a game, and maybe bonus ones for 100 percent completions for players to obtain. I know even something as simple as this will push gamers to try a bit harder to complete a game.
• Switch Wallpaper – Nintendo please give us themes! Once we are beyond the black and white choices, we can see exclusive wallpapers or themes as digital incentives for completing games. I’d even be happy if you use themes or other digital media items as preorder bonuses. I’m sure if you had limited time themes, this would entice the players and may get additional sales because of this.
• Music Tracks – A jukebox application that allows you to play music either obtained as rewards for completing a game, or bonus content for preorders. Maybe the gold coins you earn from purchasing games can be used towards picking up tracks for your jukebox library. Either way, we can listen to music from the switch beyond the Super Smash Brothers Ultimate track list.
• Digital Minigames – Completing a game could unlock minigames to play, like a game in watch style game or a remix style game. Similar to the jukebox application I suggested, you could have a minigame application that allows you to unlock and earn games. Maybe even toss in a walking pedometer like on the 3DS to use coins to drive incentives.
• Digital Game Guides, Art, and Fact Sheets – A digital shelf that fills up with unlocked fact sheets and digital art to view. You can obtain game guides with coins or as a preorder to use in your game. I feel that all of this could almost be inside a digital room on the switch and you can decorate it with digital posters and have a music track playing. Maybe this is wishful thinking, but so much more could be added.

Just a plethora of thoughts swirl trough my head when it comes to incentives that could be offered when completing games, or methods in which to obtain them such as through preorder bonuses. Should Nintendo offer more incentives for game completions? What kind of incentives would you like if Nintendo brought something to the table?

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