Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour: A Paid Experience

Nintendo has unveiled the Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour, an innovative digital game set to launch alongside the highly anticipated Nintendo Switch 2. This unique offering, however, comes with a twist—it's not a complimentary pack-in but a separate, paid digital title available on the Nintendo eShop from day one.

During the recent Nintendo Switch 2 Direct, the Welcome Tour was showcased as a "virtual exhibition" designed to familiarize players with the new console's features. Nintendo promises that "through tech demos, minigames, and other interactions, players will get to know the new system inside and out in ways they may never have known about otherwise." The presentation featured a player avatar navigating a larger-than-life Switch 2, exploring its capabilities through interactive elements and educational content. The tour includes engaging minigames such as Speed Golf, Dodge the Spiked Balls, and a Maracas Physics Demo, turning the experience into a sort of virtual museum.

Despite the excitement around this novel approach to introducing new hardware, fans have expressed surprise and some disappointment that the Welcome Tour is a paid digital game rather than a free inclusion with the console. As of now, no specific price has been announced for the tour.

The Nintendo Switch 2 is set to launch on June 5, 2025, with a starting price of $449.99 USD, or $499.99 for a bundle that includes Mario Kart World. Alongside the Welcome Tour, the console will debut with titles like Mario Kart World, Bravely Default Flying Fairy HD Remaster, and Deltarune Chapters 1 through 4. With such a robust lineup, the Welcome Tour will need to stand out to justify its separate purchase amidst the competition for consumers' budgets.

For a comprehensive overview of all the announcements from the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct, be sure to check out our detailed recap.