You just dropped five hundred bucks on a shiny new Nintendo Switch 2. You tear open the box, flick that satisfyingly beefy power switch, and instead of a pack-in game like Wii Sports or even a free tech demo like Astro’s Playroom, Nintendo asks you for ten dollars. Specifically, they want it for Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour.
It’s a bold move. Maybe even a little cheeky.
🔗 Read more: Dead by Daylight Shrine of Secrets: What You're Actually Buying With Iridescent Shards
For months leading up to the June 2025 launch, everyone assumed this interactive manual would be bundled with the console. It wasn't. Now that we're into 2026, the dust has settled, and we can finally see what this "digital exhibition" actually is. Honestly? It’s part museum, part arcade, and part engineering lecture. It’s also the weirdest thing Nintendo has released in years.
What is Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour exactly?
Basically, it’s a virtual theme park built inside a giant 3D model of the Switch 2 hardware. You don't just read about the new magnetic Joy-Cons; you walk a little character over to a giant podium and "operate" the magnets. It's a tech demo designed to show off the T239 chip, the new 1080p LCD screen, and that fancy "HD Rumble 2" everyone keeps buzzing about.
The experience is broken down into four main pillars:
- Virtual Exhibits: You explore the "innards" of the console. You can see how the cooling fans are positioned or why the new kickstand doesn't snap like the old one.
- Minigames: There are 20 of these. Some are simple high-score chasers, while others are legit challenges.
- Tech Demos: 14 specific stations that push the hardware. Think of these as "benchmarks" for your eyeballs.
- Quizzes: 170 trivia questions. Yes, Nintendo is literally testing you on how well you know your new toy.
The Mouse Controls are the Real Star
If you’ve spent any time on Reddit lately, you’ve seen the clips. One of the most surprising features of the Switch 2 is the "mouse mode." By using the internal sensors and a specific attachment, you can use a Joy-Con 2 as a functional optical mouse on almost any flat surface.
✨ Don't miss: When Did BG3 Release: The Chaos and Timeline Behind the RPG of the Decade
In Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour, there’s a UFO piloting minigame that feels almost impossible with a stick but becomes buttery smooth once you flip into mouse mode. It’s weirdly precise. It’s also one of those things you’d never figure out just by poking around the Home menu. This is where the "Tour" actually earns its keep—it teaches you tricks that aren't obvious.
Why the $9.99 Price Tag Caused a Riot
When the game was announced in April 2025, people lost it. Critics like Stephanie Sterling gave it a 1/10, calling it a lazy cash grab. Comparisons to Astro’s Playroom—which is free on every PS5—were everywhere. Even Reggie Fils-Aimé hinted on social media that pack-in titles are crucial for console identity.
But here’s the thing: after spending a few hours in the Tour, you realize it isn't just a tutorial. It’s dense. There’s a section where you can see World 1-1 of the original Super Mario Bros. rendered with the Switch 2’s Super Resolution technology. Seeing those 8-bit pixels get upscaled in real-time is a trip.
Is it worth ten dollars? If you're a hardware nerd who cares about DLSS upscaling and stainless steel rail durability, yeah. If you just want to play Mario Kart World, you’ll probably feel ripped off.
Hidden Details and "Easter Eggs"
Nintendo loves their secrets. In the "Docking Station" area of the tour, if you interact with the rubber feet of the virtual dock, the game explains the engineering behind them. There’s a specific plastic section designed to let the dock slide if a cable is yanked, rather than tipping the whole console over.
It’s those tiny "Nintendisms" that make the software feel like a love letter to the hardware.
You also get to test the HD Rumble 2. One minigame has you holding the Joy-Cons like maracas, and you have to guess how many "beads" are inside based on the vibration. The haptics are so sharp you can actually hear the motor mimicking the sound of coins clinking. It’s spooky.
The Pay-to-Play Problem (Peripherals)
Here is a fair warning: you cannot "100%" this game with just the console. Some activities are locked behind hardware.
- USB Webcam: Certain demos require a camera to show off the new processing speeds.
- Pro Controller 2: There’s a specific section for the "GL/GR" buttons that you can't access without the high-end pad.
- Charging Grip: Again, more locked content.
It’s a bit annoying to pay for a game and then realize you need another fifty bucks in accessories to see every room in the museum.
Actionable Steps for New Switch 2 Owners
If you're sitting there with a brand-new console, don't just blindly buy the Welcome Tour. Check these things first:
- Check your Bundle: Some retailers (like Target or GameStop) are throwing in a digital code for the Tour as a "bonus" even though it's not a standard pack-in. Don't buy it twice.
- Skip the Quizzes Early On: The quizzes are meant to be done after you’ve explored. If you jump straight into them, you'll fail and get frustrated. It's basically a final exam for the console.
- Use a Mouse Pad: If you're testing the mouse controls in the maze minigame, a wooden desk works okay, but a real mouse pad makes the Joy-Con 2 feel like a $100 gaming mouse.
- Watch the Battery: The Tour uses a lot of processing power for the 4K-docked demos. If you're playing in handheld, expect your battery to drain faster than it would in a 2D indie game.
The Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour is a strange, polarizing piece of software. It’s the ultimate "manual" for a console that is significantly more complex than its predecessor. Whether it should have been free is a debate that will probably rage until the Switch 3 comes out, but for now, it’s the best way to see exactly what those five hundred dollars actually bought you. Just don't expect it to replace Zelda.