The $10 Welcome Mat: Discussing the Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour

Welcome to our podcast, where we're unpacking the significant controversy surrounding the release of the Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour. This title is designed as an interactive instruction manual, blending minigames and tech demos to highlight the new console's coolest features in a hands-on way. However, the biggest talking point is its price: it costs $10 (or the equivalent in other regions like €10 or £8).

The sources reveal widespread frustration and disbelief from both a reviewer and commenters who argue that this type of software should be included for free with the console. Many point to Sony's Astro's Playroom, a free pack-in game for the PS5 that served a similar purpose and was highly praised. Nintendo's own history is also brought up, particularly the fact that Wii Sports was successfully bundled with the Wii in Western markets, a decision that reportedly required significant negotiation by Reggie Fils-Aimé.

The review itself describes the execution as a "muddled collection of quaint distractions and missed opportunities". While the minigames can be "briefly amusing," they didn't inspire high scores or completionism. The review rated it a 5 out of 10, calling it "mediocre", and stated it was "not worth your money" and would only be "barely worth your time" even if it were a free pack-in. Many commenters agreed or felt the score was too high for paid software that feels like a basic tech demo or e-manual.

Compounding the issue, fully experiencing or achieving 100% completion in the Welcome Tour reportedly requires additional peripherals such as a Pro controller, a camera, or a 4K TV. This makes the initial $10 price potentially just the beginning of the necessary investment.

Critics and commenters frequently label the decision to charge for this as a "money grab", an act of "greed", and evidence that Nintendo is "losing its love for creativity & becoming more of a company about maximizing profit". Some feel it's "disgusting", "insane", and "absolutely ridiculous" to pay for a tutorial or advertisement.

However, a few voices in the comments did express enjoyment, finding it fun, decent, or interesting despite the price, although they often conceded it should have been free. One commenter suggested it might appeal more to "developers, Nintendo enthusiasts, and video gaming enthusiasts" rather than general "gamers".

Join us as we explore these perspectives and debate whether the Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour is a disappointing misstep, a sign of corporate greed, or a niche experience worth the ten dollars.