Switch 2 Launch Title Comes With a Big Catch

Nintendo Switch 2 launch title Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour is a paid digital-only release. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour was one of the first games shown off for the Switch 2 during the latest Nintendo Direct presentation. The game essentially functions as a tech demo that shows off various Switch 2 features. Considering this, many likely assumed that it would be a pack-in title for the new console.

Video game consoles have a long history of pack-in titles, with classic examples like Wii Sports on the original Wii and, more recently, Astro’s Playroom for the PS5. The original Nintendo Switch did not have a proper pack-in title of its own, though many thought that the mini-game compilation 1-2-Switch would have made sense as one. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour seems like an even bigger no-brainer as a pack-in title, but it will instead be a paid release.

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Nintendo did not elaborate as to why Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour will be a paid game instead of a free pack-in title, but it must be confident that it will get Switch 2 early adopters to buy the game. Pricing information for Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour is unavailable at the time of this writing, but if it’s not too expensive and if it’s high-quality, perhaps word of mouth will get people to buy it.

Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour is a Paid Digital Game

As for what Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour is, it’s essentially a collection of tech demo tutorials designed to teach gamers about the unique features of the Switch 2 console. It has players walking around a giant version of the Switch 2 console, clicking on question marks to learn more about the system’s design. Mini-games will also be available, with one example being a golf game using the Joy-Cons’ mouse functionality. Based on the footage shown, it really does seem like Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour would be the perfect pack-in title, so it is baffling that it’s being sold as a premium release.

Deciding to launch Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour as a paid game isn’t the only controversial decision Nintendo is making when it comes to Switch 2 games. It’s also been confirmed that some Switch 2 games will cost $80, as opposed to the industry standard of $70. The first new Switch 2 game to hit this price point will be Mario Kart World, a fellow Switch 2 launch title alongside Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour.

Systems

Released

June 5, 2025

Developer(s)

Nintendo

Publisher(s)

Nintendo