Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour Review: Fun but Overpriced
▼ Summary
– Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour is a short, paid tech demo showcasing the console’s features, but requires a 4K TV and accessories like the Switch 2 Camera for full completion.
– The game has faced criticism for being a paid download rather than a free pack-in experience like Wii Sports or Astro’s Playroom.
– It offers interactive elements like quizzes, minigames, and tech demos to explore Switch 2 features, but some content is locked behind hardware requirements.
– The presentation is charming, with players exploring giant console components, but pixel-hunting and repetitive tasks can feel tedious.
– Accessibility options are nearly nonexistent, with only camera inversion available, making it less inclusive for some players.
Exploring the Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour offers a glimpse into the console’s capabilities, but its value depends heavily on your setup. This interactive showcase serves as a tech demo, blending educational tidbits with minigames to highlight the Switch 2’s features. While the experience has its charms, its pricing and hardware demands raise questions about whether it should have been a free pack-in title rather than a standalone purchase.
At its core, Welcome Tour functions as a virtual exhibition, guiding players through the Switch 2’s components via interactive zones. You’ll inspect Joy-Con 2 controllers, test HD Rumble, and even tackle quizzes about the system’s specs. The presentation is undeniably creative—imagine navigating a giant Joy-Con or screen—but the novelty wears thin after a few hours.
The real draw lies in the minigames and tech demos, which range from clever to frustrating. Piloting a UFO with motion controls or guessing framerates offers brief fun, though some challenges feel like padding. Completing these unlocks tougher versions, appealing to perfectionists. However, the experience stumbles when it assumes players own premium accessories. Certain demos require a 4K TV or the Switch 2 Camera, locking content behind additional purchases.
This paywall is the biggest sticking point. Unlike Wii Sports or Astro’s Playroom, which celebrated their respective consoles as free inclusions, Welcome Tour charges $9.99 for what feels like an extended tutorial. Without the right gear, you’ll miss chunks of content, making the price harder to justify.
Accessibility is another sore spot. Beyond inverting camera controls, the game lacks options for visuals, audio, or alternative inputs, a glaring omission in 2025. Players with specific needs will find little accommodation here.
So, is it worth buying? If you’re curious about the Switch 2’s tech and own the necessary hardware, Welcome Tour delivers bite-sized entertainment. But for those without a 4K setup or extra accessories, it’s an easy skip. Given its limitations, Nintendo missed an opportunity to bundle this as a system showcase rather than a paid download.
Final thoughts: While the Welcome Tour has its moments, its value hinges on your willingness to invest beyond the base console. For a deeper dive into the Switch 2’s features, it’s functional—but far from essential.
(Source: techradar)
