Nintendo Switch 2 Tour: Experience Your New Console for a Fee

Nintendo has unveiled a new initiative for its upcoming console, the Switch 2, with the announcement of the Switch 2 Welcome Tour. This innovative digital game will serve as a paid guided tour for players to explore the features of the Switch 2, contrasting typical bundled software. The Welcome Tour is described as a "virtual exhibition" filled with tech demos and minigames aimed at familiarizing players with the console. Gamers will have the opportunity to engage in activities like Speed Golf and a Maracas Physics Demo, all while exploring a large-scale representation of the new hardware. Set for release on June 5, 2025, the Switch 2 will retail for $449.99, with an additional bundle option available that includes the new title Mario Kart World.

Nintendo's announcement was met with questions from fans regarding why the tour is a standalone purchase instead of being included with the new console. While no specific price has been disclosed for the Welcome Tour, it raises concerns about costs at launch alongside other anticipated titles.

The Switch 2 Welcome Tour is a standalone game meant to provide players with a detailed look at the new console's features, which Nintendo likely views as a distinct value proposition worth charging for rather than including as a pack-in with the hardware.

The Nintendo Switch has gained significant popularity since its release in 2017, known for its hybrid design that allows for both handheld and docked play. The Switch 2 is positioned as a successor, aiming to build on its predecessor's success while introducing enhanced features and a new library of games, making it a pivotal launch for Nintendo.