Reggie's Wii Sports Pack-in Story Amid $10 Switch 2 Tour Backlash

Former Nintendo of America president Reggie Fils-Aimé has subtly weighed in on the ongoing debate surrounding Nintendo's decision to charge for the Switch 2 tutorial game, Welcome Tour. Amidst the uproar over the $449.99 price tag for the Switch 2 and $79.99 for Mario Kart World, the announcement of a paid interactive instruction manual, Welcome Tour, has sparked further controversy.

During last week's Nintendo Direct, the company unveiled the Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour, set to launch alongside the Switch 2 in June. This game serves as a guided tour of the console in video game form, described by Nintendo as a "virtual exhibition" of the new hardware. Players will explore the system through tech demos, mini-games, and other interactions, gaining an in-depth understanding of the console's capabilities.

The Nintendo Direct showcased a small player avatar navigating a larger-than-life Switch 2, learning about its features and facts through interactive elements. The game includes mini-games like Speed Golf, Dodge the Spiked Balls, and a Maracas Physics Demo. IGN has confirmed that Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour is priced at $9.99 and available only digitally. While this is less than other Switch 2 games, many fans argue it should have been included as a free pack-in, similar to the DualSense tech demo game Astro's Playroom for the PlayStation 5.

Reggie Fils-Aimé has indirectly addressed this issue by sharing clips from a two-year-old IGN interview where he discussed his efforts to include Wii Sports as a free pack-in with the Wii. In the clips, Fils-Aimé recounted the pushback he received from Shigeru Miyamoto but emphasized the success of bundling Wii Sports with the Wii in markets outside Japan. He also highlighted the positive impact of bundling Wii Play with the Wii Remote, which became the fifth best-selling piece of software for the Wii.

The story of Wii Sports pack in ...https://t.co/LhflSFWaL3

— Reggie Fils-Aimé (@Reggie) April 9, 2025

And the results.https://t.co/xrFTDeJMQf

— Reggie Fils-Aimé (@Reggie) April 9, 2025

Although Fils-Aimé did not directly comment on the Switch 2 strategy, his tweets suggest a belief that free pack-ins could similarly benefit the Switch 2. Fans have picked up on this, with some humorously acknowledging his indirect commentary on social media.

In an interview with IGN, Nintendo of America's Vice President of Product and Player Experience, Bill Trinen, defended the pricing of Welcome Tour. Conducted before the announcement of a delay in pre-orders due to Trump’s tariffs, Trinen emphasized that Welcome Tour is more comprehensive than it appears. He argued that the $9.99 price point reflects the game's value and the detailed work put into it, especially for those interested in the technical aspects of the Switch 2.

Trinen further elaborated that Nintendo Treehouse Live segments would provide a deeper look into the game, showcasing its robustness and the effort invested by the development team. He believes that Welcome Tour offers significant value for those seeking detailed information about the system.

Welcome Tour is just one aspect of Nintendo's next-generation strategy that has stirred controversy. Trinen also addressed questions about the $80 price for Switch 2 games and the $450 price for the Switch 2 itself, indicating Nintendo's commitment to delivering value despite the higher costs.