Reggie Fils-Aimé, the former president of Nintendo of America, has subtly weighed in on the controversy surrounding Nintendo's decision to charge for the Switch 2 tutorial game, Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour. Amid the uproar over the $449.99 price of the Switch 2 and the $79.99 price tag for Mario Kart World, the decision to charge for what some consider an interactive instruction manual has sparked significant debate.
Nintendo unveiled Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour during its recent Nintendo Direct, announcing its launch alongside the Switch 2 in June. The game serves as a "virtual exhibition" of the new hardware, allowing players to explore the console through tech demos, mini-games, and interactive elements. The Nintendo Direct showcased a small player avatar navigating a larger-than-life Switch 2, learning about its features through mini-games like Speed Golf, Dodge the Spiked Balls, and a Maracas Physics Demo.
Priced at $9.99 and available only digitally, Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour is significantly cheaper than other Switch 2 games. However, many Nintendo fans have expressed frustration over having to pay for it, arguing that it should have been included as a free pack-in, similar to Astro's Playroom for the PlayStation 5.
Fils-Aimé has responded to this controversy through a series of tweets featuring clips from an IGN interview conducted two years ago. In these clips, he discusses his past battles with Shigeru Miyamoto over including Wii Sports as a free pack-in with the Wii console. Fils-Aimé's efforts were successful in most regions, except Japan, and he highlighted the positive impact this decision had on the Wii's success.
The story of Wii Sports pack in ... https://t.co/LhflSFWaL3
— Reggie Fils-Aimé (@Reggie) April 9, 2025
And the results. https://t.co/xrFTDeJMQf
— Reggie Fils-Aimé (@Reggie) April 9, 2025
Although Fils-Aimé did not directly comment on the Switch 2 strategy, his tweets suggest that including free pack-ins has historically benefited Nintendo's consoles, hinting at a similar approach for the Switch 2. Fans have picked up on his message, with some humorously acknowledging his indirect commentary on the current situation.
In a recent interview with IGN, Nintendo of America's Vice President of Product and Player Experience, Bill Trinen, provided more context on Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour. Speaking before the announcement of the delay in pre-orders due to Trump's tariffs, Trinen emphasized the game's depth and value, suggesting that the $9.99 price is justified by the detailed content and the effort put into its creation.
Trinen also mentioned upcoming Nintendo Treehouse Live segments that will delve deeper into the game, promising a more comprehensive understanding of its offerings. He noted that Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour is particularly appealing to those interested in the technical aspects of the system, positioning it as more than just a quick introduction.
The controversy surrounding Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour is just one aspect of Nintendo's next-gen strategy, which has also stirred debate over the pricing of the Switch 2 itself and its games, such as the $80 price point for some titles.
