Reggie Fils-Aimé, the former head of Nintendo of America, has subtly referenced the controversy surrounding Nintendo's decision to charge for the Switch 2 tutorial game, Welcome Tour, by sharing clips from a past interview discussing the inclusion of Wii Sports as a free pack-in for the Wii console. Amidst the uproar over the $449.99 price of the Switch 2 and Mario Kart World's $79.99 price tag, the decision to charge for the interactive instruction manual, Welcome Tour, has also sparked significant discussion.
Nintendo unveiled the Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour during its Nintendo Direct last week, set to launch alongside the Switch 2 in June. Described as a "virtual exhibition" of the new hardware, Welcome Tour offers a guided tour of the console through tech demos, mini-games, and other interactive elements. Footage shown during the Direct featured a player avatar navigating a larger-than-life Switch 2, exploring its features and engaging in mini-games such as Speed Golf, Dodge the Spiked Balls, and a Maracas Physics Demo.
IGN has confirmed that Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour is priced at $9.99 and will be available exclusively in digital format. While this is less expensive than other Switch 2 titles, there has been backlash from fans who believe Welcome Tour should be included as a free pack-in, similar to how Astro's Playroom was bundled with the PlayStation 5.
In response to the controversy, Fils-Aimé tweeted three clips from a two-year-old IGN interview where he recounted his efforts to include Wii Sports as a pack-in for the Wii. He highlighted his negotiations with Shigeru Miyamoto, noting that Miyamoto initially resisted the idea. Fils-Aimé's persistence paid off, as Wii Sports was bundled with the Wii in regions outside Japan, significantly boosting its success.
Fils-Aimé also mentioned a similar battle to include Wii Play with the Wii Remote, which ultimately became the fifth best-selling piece of software for the Wii. His tweets suggest that free pack-ins have historically been beneficial for Nintendo, hinting that a similar strategy could work for the Switch 2 and its Welcome Tour.
Fans have picked up on Fils-Aimé's indirect comments, with many on social media platforms like X / Twitter noting his implied critique of Nintendo's current strategy. "Hahaha, guys I think Reggie is watching our comments about the Switch 2," one user remarked, while another stated, "We know you would have packed in Welcome Tour."
In a recent interview with IGN, Nintendo of America's Vice President of Product and Player Experience, Bill Trinen, defended the pricing of Welcome Tour. Conducted before the announcement of a delay in pre-orders due to Trump’s tariffs, Trinen emphasized the depth and detail of Welcome Tour, suggesting that its $9.99 price point reflects the value and effort put into the product. He highlighted that Welcome Tour is tailored for those interested in the technical aspects and detailed information about the Switch 2, rather than just a brief introduction.
As part of Nintendo's next-generation strategy, the pricing and inclusion of Welcome Tour is just one element that has stirred debate. Trinen also addressed questions regarding the company's decision to price Switch 2 games at $80 and the console itself at $450.
