"Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour: A Paid Experience"

Nintendo has unveiled the Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour, an innovative digital game set to launch alongside the much-anticipated Nintendo Switch 2. This unique offering is not bundled with the console but is available as a separate, paid digital title on the Nintendo eShop starting on the Switch 2's launch day.

During today's Nintendo Switch 2 Direct, the Welcome Tour was showcased as a "virtual exhibition" designed to introduce players to the new hardware. According to Nintendo, "through tech demos, minigames, and other interactive elements, players will gain an in-depth understanding of the new system that they might not have discovered otherwise."

Footage from the Direct featured a player avatar navigating a larger-than-life Switch 2, exploring its features and learning about its capabilities. The game appears to function as a virtual museum, complete with engaging minigames such as Speed Golf, Dodge the Spiked Balls, and a Maracas Physics Demo.

Nintendo confirmed via livestream and press release that the Switch 2 Welcome Tour will be available for purchase on the launch day of the Nintendo Switch 2. While the concept is intriguing, fans have expressed curiosity about why this educational tool is a paid, digital-only game rather than a complimentary pack-in with the new console. As of now, no pricing details have been disclosed.

In addition to the Welcome Tour, the Nintendo Switch 2 will launch with a robust lineup of titles, including Mario Kart World, Bravely Default Flying Fairy HD Remaster, and Deltarune Chapters 1 through 4. With these high-profile releases, the Switch 2 Welcome Tour will have to vie for attention and budget in a competitive launch window.

The Nintendo Switch 2 is scheduled to launch on June 5, 2025, priced at $449.99 USD, with a bundle option at $499.99 that includes Mario Kart World.

For a comprehensive overview of all announcements made during today's Nintendo Switch 2 Direct, be sure to visit our detailed recap.