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 Switch 2. Contrary to expectations, this isn't a complimentary pack-in but a separate, paid digital title available for purchase on the Nintendo eShop starting on the console's launch day.

Highlighted during the recent Nintendo Switch 2 Direct, the Welcome Tour serves as a "virtual exhibition" designed to familiarize players with the new hardware. According to Nintendo, "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 Direct showcased a player avatar navigating a larger-than-life Switch 2, exploring its features and learning about its capabilities through interactive elements. The game also includes minigames such as Speed Golf, Dodge the Spiked Balls, and a Maracas Physics Demo, turning the experience into a sort of virtual museum.

Nintendo confirmed via the stream and a press release that the Switch 2 Welcome Tour will be available for purchase on the Nintendo eShop from the moment the Switch 2 launches. While this tool is undoubtedly useful, fans have expressed surprise and curiosity about its status as a paid, digital-only game rather than a free pack-in with the new console. As of now, no specific price has been announced.

For context, the Switch 2 will also launch with a robust lineup including titles like Mario Kart World, Bravely Default Flying Fairy HD Remaster, and Deltarune Chapters 1 through 4. While the Welcome Tour offers an intriguing showcase of the new console's capabilities, it will vie for attention and budget with these other high-profile releases.

The Nintendo Switch 2 is set to hit the market on June 5, 2025, with a price tag of $449.99 USD, or $499.99 for a bundle that includes Mario Kart World.

To stay updated on all the announcements from today's stream, be sure to check out our comprehensive recap of the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct.