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 calibre 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 luck 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 neighbour steal your mail and coveted Nintendo-themed trinket. Club Nintendo cautions “even though your friends or neighbours 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.

Kotaku AU Note: Only in the US Club Nintendo, sadly.

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

I’d caught up with Nintendo Australia boss Rose Lappin a few weeks back. We discussed a range of things, including their upcoming Wii games, as well as those not coming at all.

One of those things I’d forgotten all about until I just happened to be glancing through my interview notes yesterday. That thing was Club Nintendo, the customer loyalty scheme where you redeem codes from purchased Nintendo products and earn stars to spend on various merchandise. Lappin told me it had proved popular since its March launch.

“We’ve had quite a lot of redemptions and it’s about where we expected it to be,” she said. “It was a long time coming, I know, but it took a bit longer than we had hoped. We’re continuing to work on it. We’re being supported by Europe on that, and we’re putting on extra people to work on Club Nintendo and get that to a stage where consumers are getting more out of it.

“We’re fairly new at this, it’s only been a few months now. I’d welcome any feedback your readers may have to help us work on and expand that to make it better.”

There are certainly plenty of member rewards available in other territories that Nintendo could look at bringing here. But what I really want to know is… what else? What sort of thing would you like to see Club Nintendo offer Australian gamers that it doesn’t offer anywhere else?

I’ll pass all your ideas on to Nintendo.

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 in North America. 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!