Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour: Is $10 Worth It?

One of the most talked-about aspects of *Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour* is its price tag. Available for $10 on the Nintendo eShop at launch, this educational experience has sparked debate among fans. Considering it's designed to introduce players to the features of a console that costs at least $450, many—including myself—believe it should have been included as a pack-in title. Despite the pricing concerns, I recently spent about 45 minutes with *Welcome Tour*, and while it won't appeal to everyone, I found it surprisingly engaging and even exciting in its own niche way.

Let’s be clear: this isn’t going to be a must-have title for the average player. But if you're a dedicated Nintendo fan who follows quarterly earnings reports, reads every Ask the Developer article, or can explain the differences between the DS, 3DS, New 3DS, 2DS, and New 2DS XL, then *Welcome Tour* is tailor-made for you. It's an edutainment game aimed at teaching users everything there is to know about the Nintendo Switch 2 through exploration, quizzes, minigames, and tech demos—and it carries just enough of that classic Nintendo charm to make it worthwhile.

Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour Slideshow

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After selecting my character from a long lineup of miniature avatars (I would’ve loved to see Pikmin exploring the console instead!), I was free to explore the Nintendo Switch 2 and its left Joy-Con 2. To move forward in the experience, I had to locate hidden stamps tied to specific hardware components like the touch screen and cooling vents. Along the way, I encountered various activity stations spread across each area.

As expected from Nintendo, there's a strong completionist angle to the game. One minigame challenged me to test the mouse controls by piloting a UFO against a never-ending wave of spiky iron balls. The controls felt responsive, and after narrowly missing the top rank, I was motivated to retry for a better score. Performance-based stars unlock access to higher difficulty levels, and the interface suggests there are numerous medals to collect throughout the experience.

Impressive Tech Demos

One of the standout experiences was a tech demo where I played World 1-1 of *Super Mario Bros.* from the NES in 4K—albeit stretched to emphasize the pixel limitations of the original system. It’s a clever way to highlight how far gaming technology has come. Completing five simple achievements here was easy for anyone familiar with the level. Other demos highlighted the new HD Rumble, 120fps support, and HDR visuals, showcasing Nintendo’s pride in the upgraded hardware in an accessible manner.

Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour
Jun 5, 2025

Fascinating Design Insights

The Insight Quizzes within *Welcome Tour* offered intriguing details about design choices, such as the U-shaped kickstand and the improvements in front-facing speakers over the OLED model. While we can’t share all the quiz content ahead of launch, I found these insights compelling—especially coming from a company known for being secretive. For hardcore Nintendo followers, this behind-the-scenes look is both informative and refreshing. Contrary to my initial assumption that this would feel like marketing fluff, the depth and specificity of the information made it feel more like an insider’s guide than an advertisement.

Final Thoughts

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While I enjoyed *Welcome Tour* more than I anticipated, I still firmly believe it should have been bundled with the console. As a charming and light-hearted introduction to the hardware, it offers valuable context and insight that any Switch 2 owner could appreciate between multiplayer sessions of *Mario Kart World*. Charging $10 for what amounts to an interactive user manual feels unnecessary and detracts from the overall goodwill the experience generates. That said, stay tuned for our full review of *Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour* shortly after launch to help you decide whether it's worth your investment.