Nintendo Is Charging $10 for Switch 2’s Tutorial Game—And They Swear It’s Totally Worth It

Nintendo, the lovable gaming giant known for plumber brothers and banana-peel-based trauma, is charging you $9.99 for what’s essentially the Switch 2 tutorial. And no, this isn’t some bundle-in surprise or a charming freebie like Astro’s Playroom on PS5. It’s a separate, paid download titled “Welcome Tour,” and it’s already got fans squinting harder than Link solving a Korok puzzle.

So what is this “Welcome Tour”? Well, according to Nintendo, it’s an interactive exhibit. According to everyone else, it’s a tech demo dressed up in a mini-suit with some sparkles.

What Exactly Is the Welcome Tour?

Revealed during the Switch 2 Direct, Welcome Tour was pitched as a charming guide through your shiny new console. It includes mini-games, system insights, interactions, and a narrated walkthrough of the console’s coolest tech features. Think motion controls, camera tricks, rumble functionality—you know, stuff you’ll use for a week and forget until a random Mario Party minigame reminds you of it. Nintendo’s Bill Trinen said it’s not just a “quick intro” but a robust piece of software made for folks “particularly interested in the tech and specs of the system.” Which is a very polite way of saying, “This is a tutorial for nerds, and nerds like value, right?”

The Price Tag Controversy

Let’s talk about the $9.99 elephant in the room.

When most gamers think “tutorial,” they think:

• Free
• Simple
• Skippable
• Often forgotten five minutes after playing

So when Nintendo decided to charge for their version, many folks raised an eyebrow (or both). For context, Sony gave away Astro’s Playroom for free with the PS5—and it ended up being one of the most beloved games on the system. It showed off the DualSense controller’s capabilities while also delivering a nostalgic, surprisingly heartfelt platformer.

Nintendo’s move feels… different. Less “joyful surprise,” more “please insert card.” Trinen, of course, defended the decision. “The amount of care and work” put into the Welcome Tour justifies the price, he argued. But when your console is launching at $450, asking players to shell out more to learn how to use it just doesn’t exactly scream “friendly neighborhood Mushroom Kingdom.”

But What’s Actually in the Game?

Nintendo is keeping things vague (as usual), but based on what we’ve seen and heard, Welcome Tour will include:

• Mini-games highlighting new Switch 2 features like the camera and haptic feedback
• Interactive demos showing off console performance
• A few cheeky tech showcases
• Probably a robot voice or two explaining how to navigate your home screen

To be fair, it might be fun. Nintendo’s always been good at delivering polished experiences, and if this “tutorial” leans more into the Wii Sports territory of showcasing new hardware in a playful way, it could win people over. But right now, it feels a little like being charged a cover fee to walk into a store that just teaches you how to shop.

A Bigger Conversation About Value

This isn’t the only Switch 2 price controversy floating around. Nintendo fans are also side-eyeing the:

• $80 price tag on Mario Kart World
• Paid Switch 2 Edition upgrades for existing Switch games
• Welcome Tour’s price, which feels like a nickel-and-dime move in a sea of already expensive add-ons

Nintendo of America boss Doug Bowser (yes, that’s his real name and yes, it’s still amazing) recently defended Mario Kart World’s pricing, citing the game’s “breadth and depth.” Similarly, Trinen insists the Welcome Tour’s price “feels like a good value.” But when you compare Nintendo’s strategy to its competitors, who often toss in a game or two with the console, or at least make tutorials free—it starts to feel like Big N is flexing just a little too hard.

Meanwhile, scalpers are doing what they do best. Switch 2 units are already popping up on eBay for £600+ thanks to the first wave of pre-orders selling out in minutes. Combine that with delayed US pre-orders due to new tariffs, and you’ve got a hype storm where everyone’s already feeling stretched thin. Charging extra for a tutorial—even a “carefully crafted” one—doesn’t help with the vibe.

Should You Buy the Welcome Tour?

If you’re someone who:

• Loves tech breakdowns
• Wants to test all the console’s quirks
• Enjoys Nintendo’s offbeat charm
• Has an extra $10 and nothing to do for 45 minutes

…then sure, go for it. But if you’re expecting a full game or a Wii Sports-level showcase of addictive gameplay? Maybe wait to see some reviews. Or just, you know, read the manual—oh wait, those don’t exist anymore.