Nintendo Switch 2 Debut: Paid Access

Nintendo has unveiled the Switch 2 Welcome Tour, a special title set to launch alongside the new console. This software offers a guided tour of the Switch 2's hardware features. Interestingly, it is not bundled with the system but is a separate, paid digital purchase.

Revealed during the recent Nintendo Switch 2 Direct, the Welcome Tour is described as a "virtual exhibition" of the hardware. According to Nintendo, "through tech demos, minigames, and various interactive elements, players will gain an in-depth understanding of the new system, discovering features they might otherwise have missed."

The Direct showcased footage of a small avatar exploring an oversized model of the Switch 2, learning about its different functionalities and specifications. The experience resembles a virtual museum but also includes several minigames, such as Speed Golf, Dodge the Spiked Balls, and a Maracas Physics Demo.

Nintendo confirmed, both during the stream and in an official press release, that the Switch 2 Welcome Tour will be available for purchase on the Nintendo eShop starting on the console's launch day.

While the concept is clever, many fans immediately questioned why this experience is a paid, digital-only title instead of a free pack-in application for the Switch 2. A price for the Welcome Tour has not been announced at this time.

For context, the Switch 2 is launching with several other high-profile games, including Mario Kart World, Bravely Default: Flying Fairy HD Remaster, and Deltarune Chapters 1-4. Although a hardware showcase is an intriguing proposition, it may face competition for gamers' budgets early in the console's lifecycle.

The Nintendo Switch 2 is scheduled for release on June 5, 2025, with a base price of $449.99 USD. A bundle that includes Mario Kart World will retail for $499.99.

For a complete overview of all announcements from the event, you can read our full recap of the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct.