Reggie Fils-Aimé, the former president of Nintendo of America, has subtly weighed in on the ongoing debate over Nintendo's decision to charge for the Switch 2 tutorial game, Welcome Tour. His comments come amid widespread discussion about the pricing of the upcoming Switch 2 at $449.99 and the $79.99 price tag for Mario Kart World. The controversy intensified when Nintendo unveiled Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour during its recent Nintendo Direct, set to launch alongside the Switch 2 in June. This game serves as an interactive guide to the new console, presented in a video game format.
Nintendo describes Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour as a "virtual exhibition" that uses tech demos, minigames, and interactive elements to educate players about the new system's features. The Nintendo Direct showcased a small player avatar navigating a larger-than-life Switch 2, learning about its features through interactive experiences like Speed Golf, Dodge the Spiked Balls, and a Maracas Physics Demo.
IGN confirmed that Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour will be available for $9.99 as a digital-only product. While this is less expensive than other Switch 2 games, many fans have expressed frustration over having to pay for what they believe should be a free pack-in, akin to Astro's Playroom for the PlayStation 5.
In response, 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. He highlighted the internal resistance he faced from Shigeru Miyamoto, yet emphasized the success of Wii Sports in regions where it was bundled with the console. Fils-Aimé's tweets subtly suggest that a similar strategy could benefit the Switch 2, hinting at the potential effectiveness of including Welcome Tour as a free pack-in.
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
Fans have picked up on Fils-Aimé's message, with some humorously noting his awareness of the ongoing discussions about the Switch 2. Meanwhile, Nintendo of America's Vice President of Product and Player Experience, Bill Trinen, defended the pricing of Welcome Tour in an interview with IGN. Trinen emphasized the depth and value of the game, suggesting that the $9.99 price point is justified given the detailed content and educational value it offers to those interested in the technical aspects of the Switch 2.
Trinen also mentioned upcoming Nintendo Treehouse Live segments that will delve deeper into Welcome Tour, promising to showcase its robust features. He argued that the game is designed for those who want a comprehensive understanding of the system, rather than just a quick introduction.
The pricing of Welcome Tour is just one aspect of Nintendo's next-generation strategy that has sparked debate. Trinen also addressed questions about the company's decision to price Switch 2 games at $80 and the console itself at $450, indicating Nintendo's broader approach to its next-gen offerings.
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