Reggie Fils-Aimé Defends Nintendo Switch 2 Amid Backlash
Apr 10, 2025 6:17 AMFormer Nintendo of America president Reggie Fils-Aimé has weighed in on the backlash regarding the pricing of the Nintendo Switch 2 interactive tutorial game Welcome Tour. Set to launch alongside the new console, Welcome Tour is priced at $9.99 and serves as a digital guide for players to explore the Switch 2's features through mini-games and interactive tech demos. Fans are upset that this tutorial is not a pack-in game like Wii Sports was for the Wii, prompting discussions about Nintendo's strategy for new releases. Although Fils-Aimé did not directly critique the current pricing approach, he referenced the success of bundling Wii Sports as a free pack-in game, positioning it as a strategic advantage for hardware sales. Nintendo's Vice President of Product and Player Experience, Bill Trinen, defended the pricing, suggesting that Welcome Tour offers substantial value for those interested in understanding the new system's capabilities.
Why is Welcome Tour not a free pack-in like Wii Sports?
Welcome Tour is not a pack-in title largely due to Nintendo's current marketing strategy, which aims to monetize tutorial content separately. While fans may feel it should be bundled for free, Nintendo believes the detailed exploration of the system justifies its price, particularly for tech enthusiasts wanting in-depth information.
The Wii Sports pack-in game, which played a significant role in the Wii's success, was a result of internal debates among Nintendo executives, especially Fils-Aimé's push against legendary developer Shigeru Miyamoto's resistance. The success of Wii Sports demonstrated that free introductory games could enhance console adoption, making the current decision for the Switch 2 more controversial among longstanding Nintendo fans.
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Jordan Keats is a former professional gamer turned journalist, whose competitive background gives them a unique perspective on esports and multiplayer games. Jordan's expertise in strategy and game mechanics is unmatched, offering readers a deeper understing.
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Miss Peachy commented on: 2025-04-10 08:06:09
Nintendo’s really out here monetizing the how to use your new console experience—guess even tutorials aren’t safe from the paywall era. Reggie’s nod to Wii Sports is a cheeky way of saying, We used to do freebies that sold consoles, just saying.
N3rdo commented on: 2025-04-10 07:54:09
Charging for a tutorial feels like paying for an IKEA instruction manual—kinda defeats the purpose of getting people hyped for the new console. Reggie’s Wii Sports callback is a subtle but savage reminder that Nintendo used to understand the power of a good first impression.
