Nintendo’s upcoming Switch 2 is already sparking intense conversations, especially after its official price of $449.99. But there’s another piece of news that has caught fans by surprise: the Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour tutorial game will cost players $9.99. Here's everything you need to know about this decision and why it’s causing such a stir in the gaming community.
A Guided Tour of the Switch 2
The Welcome Tour isn’t your typical pack-in game. Instead, it serves as an interactive tutorial designed to familiarize players with the new features of the Nintendo Switch 2. Announced during the Nintendo Direct event, Welcome Tour is described as a "virtual exhibition" that allows players to explore the new console’s hardware and features through engaging mini-games and tech demos. Players can look forward to interactive experiences like Speed Golf, Dodge the Spiked Balls, and even a Maracas Physics Demo, all designed to showcase the capabilities of the Switch 2.Why Charge for a Tutorial?
The question on everyone’s mind is why a tutorial game like Welcome Tour isn’t included for free, especially when considering how other consoles, such as the PlayStation 5, included similar tech demos like Astro’s Playroom as a free pack-in title. Nintendo’s decision to make the Welcome Tour a standalone $9.99 purchase is raising eyebrows, especially when you factor in the already hefty price tag of $449.99 for the console. IGN had the opportunity to sit down with Bill Trinen, Vice President of Product and Player Experience at Nintendo of America, to address these concerns directly. Trinen acknowledged the skepticism surrounding the price but emphasized the quality and depth of Welcome Tour, which goes beyond the initial glance many have seen in the Nintendo Direct.
Trinen Explains the Price Tag
When asked about the decision to sell Welcome Tour separately, Trinen offered some insight into why $9.99 is a fair price. According to him, the game offers more than what fans might expect at first glance: “It’s a pretty robust piece of software. There’s a lot of great detail in there.†He continued, noting that Welcome Tour is specifically designed for players who are looking for more in-depth knowledge of the system’s tech and specs, rather than just a quick intro to the console. Trinen also explained that for players deeply interested in the hardware’s inner workings, the tutorial game is an invaluable resource. “For some people, I think there are people who are particularly interested in the tech and the specs of the system… it’s really for people that want more information about the system.â€Nintendo’s Strategy and Fan Reactions
While Welcome Tour isn’t exactly a traditional game, its price still has some fans scratching their heads. Some feel that the game should be included with the console, given its role as an introductory experience to the system. After all, tech demos are often bundled with consoles to help users better understand the hardware. However, Trinen argues that the level of detail and the team’s effort behind the game justifies its cost. “It feels like a good value for what you're getting out of the product," he said. This level of care and attention, according to Trinen, is what sets Welcome Tour apart from a standard pack-in game.Looking Beyond the Price: What’s Next for Nintendo?
The conversation about Welcome Tour is only a small part of the larger debate surrounding the Switch 2. With a console priced at $450 and games like Mario Kart World launching at $79.99, fans are questioning the overall direction Nintendo is taking with its next-gen push. Will the company raise prices even further in response to global tariffs? Could the Switch 2’s price tag increase even more due to potential economic pressures? These are all questions Nintendo will have to address as we approach the console's June launch.