Former Nintendo of America president Reggie Fils-Aimé has subtly chimed in on the ongoing debate about Nintendo's decision to charge for the Switch 2 tutorial game, Welcome Tour. His comments come amidst widespread discussion about the $449.99 price of the Switch 2 and the $79.99 price tag of Mario Kart World, with additional shock at the decision to monetize the interactive instruction manual, Welcome Tour.
Nintendo unveiled the Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour during its recent Nintendo Direct, announcing that it will launch alongside the Switch 2 in June. This game serves as an interactive tour of the console, presented in a video game format. Described as a "virtual exhibition," it aims to familiarize players with the new hardware through tech demos, mini-games, and other interactive elements. The Nintendo Direct showcased a player avatar navigating a larger-than-life Switch 2, learning about its features and engaging in mini-games like Speed Golf, Dodge the Spiked Balls, and a Maracas Physics Demo.
IGN confirmed that Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour is priced at $9.99 and will be available digitally. While this is significantly less than other Switch 2 games, many Nintendo fans have expressed frustration that Welcome Tour isn't free, arguing it should have been a pack-in like Astro's Playroom for the PlayStation 5.
Fils-Aimé took to X / Twitter to share clips from a two-year-old IGN interview where he discussed his efforts to include Wii Sports as a free pack-in with the Wii console. In the clips, he revealed his internal battles with legendary developer Shigeru Miyamoto over including Wii Sports and Wii Play as pack-ins. Despite initial resistance, Fils-Aimé's push led to Wii Sports being bundled with the Wii in most regions except Japan, contributing significantly to the Wii's success. Similarly, bundling Wii Play with the Wii Remote resulted in it becoming the fifth best-selling software for the Wii.
Although not directly commenting on the Switch 2 strategy, Fils-Aimé's tweets suggest that he believes including free pack-ins could similarly benefit the Switch 2. Fans on social media have picked up on this, with some humorously acknowledging that Fils-Aimé seems to be responding to their concerns about the Switch 2's offerings.
In a recent interview with IGN, Nintendo of America's Vice President of Product and Player Experience, Bill Trinen, offered more insight into Welcome Tour. Conducted before the announcement of a delay in Switch 2 pre-orders due to Trump's tariffs, Trinen emphasized that Welcome Tour is more comprehensive than what was shown during the Nintendo Direct and media hands-on sessions. He defended the $9.99 price, suggesting it represents good value for the detailed content and effort invested by the development team.
Trinen highlighted that Welcome Tour is especially valuable for those interested in the technical aspects and specifications of the Switch 2, providing a deep dive into the system rather than just a quick overview. He noted that upcoming Nintendo Treehouse Live segments would further showcase the game's depth.
Welcome Tour is just one element of Nintendo's next-generation strategy, which has sparked various controversies, including the pricing of the Switch 2 and its games. Trinen also addressed questions about the $80 price point for Switch 2 games and the $450 cost of the console itself, reflecting Nintendo's broader strategy for the new system.
