"Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour: A Paid Experience Awaits"

Nintendo has unveiled the Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour, an exciting new digital game that will launch alongside the Nintendo Switch 2. This innovative game serves as a comprehensive guided tour of the new hardware, offering players a unique and interactive way to explore the system's features. Notably, this is not a free pack-in game but a separate, paid digital title available for purchase.

During today's Nintendo Switch 2 Direct, the Welcome Tour was showcased as a "virtual exhibition" of the new console. According to Nintendo, the game allows players to "get to know the new system inside and out in ways they may never have known about otherwise" through tech demos, minigames, and other interactive elements. The footage revealed a small player avatar navigating a giant-sized Switch 2, learning about its features and engaging in minigames such as Speed Golf, Dodge the Spiked Balls, and a Maracas Physics Demo. It essentially functions as a virtual museum, providing both educational and entertaining experiences.

Nintendo confirmed that the Switch 2 Welcome Tour will be available for purchase from the Nintendo eShop on the Switch 2's launch day. While this interactive tool is certainly intriguing, fans have expressed surprise and curiosity about its status as a paid digital game rather than a free console pack-in. As of now, no pricing information has been disclosed.

In comparison, the Nintendo Switch 2 will also launch with other titles such as Mario Kart World, Bravely Default Flying Fairy HD Remaster, and Deltarune Chapters 1 through 4. As the Welcome Tour competes for consumer attention and spending, it will be interesting to see how it fares against these other launch titles.

The Nintendo Switch 2 is set to launch on June 5, 2025, with a price of $449.99 USD. A bundle option including Mario Kart World will be available for $499.99 USD.

For those who want to stay updated on all the announcements from today's stream, you can find a detailed recap of the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct right here.