As Backlash Against $10 Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour Heats Up, Reggie Fils-Aimé Tweets the Story of Wii Sports Pack-in From IGN Interview — and Everyone Knows the Point He’s Trying to Make

Former Nintendo of America president Reggie Fils-Aimé has subtly addressed the controversy surrounding Nintendo's decision to charge for the Switch 2 tutorial game, Welcome Tour, through a series of tweets referencing the story of Wii Sports. The controversy has been fueled by the high price points of the Switch 2 at $449.99 and Mario Kart World at $79.99, compounded by the unexpected cost of the interactive instruction manual, Welcome Tour.

During the recent Nintendo Direct, Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour was unveiled as a launch title for the Switch 2 in June. It serves as a virtual exhibition of the console, guiding players through its features via tech demos, minigames, and interactive elements. The game features a player avatar navigating a larger-than-life Switch 2, exploring its capabilities through 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 lower than other Switch 2 titles, many fans have expressed disappointment that it isn't a free pack-in, drawing comparisons to Astro's Playroom, which came bundled with the PlayStation 5.

Reggie Fils-Aimé's tweets featured clips from an IGN interview where he recounted his efforts to include Wii Sports as a free pack-in with the Wii. Despite resistance from Shigeru Miyamoto, Fils-Aimé succeeded in having Wii Sports bundled with the Wii in all regions except Japan. He also pushed for Wii Play to be bundled with the Wii Remote, despite Miyamoto's objections. Fils-Aimé's tweets highlighted the success of these strategies, noting that markets with Wii Sports as a pack-in saw the Wii become a phenomenon, and Wii Play became one of the best-selling Wii titles.

Fils-Aimé's message, though indirect, suggests that free pack-ins have historically been beneficial for Nintendo, hinting that a similar approach could be advantageous for the Switch 2. Fans have picked up on his subtle commentary, with some suggesting that Fils-Aimé would have opted to include Welcome Tour as a pack-in for the Switch 2.

In a recent interview with IGN, Nintendo of America's Vice President of Product and Player Experience, Bill Trinen, defended the pricing of Welcome Tour. He emphasized that the game offers more than what was shown in the Nintendo Direct and during media hands-on sessions. Trinen described Welcome Tour as a robust piece of software, valuable for those interested in the technical details of the Switch 2, justifying the $9.99 price tag.

Nintendo's next-generation strategy, including the pricing of Welcome Tour, Switch 2 at $450, and $80 games like Mario Kart World, continues to spark debate among fans and industry observers alike.

Reggie fought for Wii Sports as a Wii pack-in. Photo by Susan Goldman/Bloomberg via Getty Images.