Reggie Fils-Aimé, former president of Nintendo of America, has subtly chimed in on the debate surrounding Nintendo's choice to charge for the Switch 2 tutorial game, Welcome Tour. Amid the uproar over the $449.99 price tag for the Switch 2 and $79.99 for Mario Kart World, fans were particularly taken aback by the decision to monetize the interactive instruction manual, Welcome Tour.
Nintendo unveiled Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour during its recent Nintendo Direct, set to accompany the Switch 2 launch in June. This game introduces players to the new console through an engaging video game format, described as a "virtual exhibition" of the new hardware. Through tech demos, mini-games, and interactive elements, players can explore the console in depth, uncovering features they might not otherwise discover. The Nintendo Direct showcased a player avatar navigating a larger-than-life Switch 2, learning about its features and engaging in mini-games like Speed Golf, Dodge the Spiked Balls, and a Maracas Physics Demo.
IGN 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, some fans have expressed dismay over having to pay for it, arguing that it should be included as a free pack-in, similar to Astro's Playroom for the PlayStation 5.
Fils-Aimé took to X (formerly Twitter) to share clips from a past IGN interview where he recounted his efforts to include Wii Sports as a free pack-in with the Wii console, despite resistance from Shigeru Miyamoto. Fils-Aimé's successful push for Wii Sports as a pack-in in markets outside Japan was instrumental in making the Wii a cultural phenomenon. He also highlighted his decision to bundle Wii Play with the Wii Remote, which became the fifth best-selling software for the Wii.
Although Fils-Aimé did not directly address the Switch 2 strategy, his posts suggest a belief that including Welcome Tour as a free pack-in could similarly benefit the new console. Fans on social media have picked up on his message, with some humorously noting that Fils-Aimé seems to be responding to their concerns about the Switch 2.
In a recent interview, Nintendo of America's Vice President of Product and Player Experience, Bill Trinen, defended the $9.99 price for Welcome Tour. He emphasized the game's depth and value, particularly for tech enthusiasts interested in the system's details. Trinen highlighted the upcoming Nintendo Treehouse Live segments, where more of Welcome Tour's features would be showcased, suggesting that the game offers much more than what was seen during the Nintendo Direct and media hands-on sessions.
Trinen also addressed the broader controversy around Nintendo's next-gen pricing strategy, including the $80 price point for Switch 2 games and the $450 price for the Switch 2 itself. Despite these debates, he maintained that the value offered by Welcome Tour justifies its cost.
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