Reggie Fils-Aimé Highlights Wii Sports Success Amid $10 Switch 2 Tour Backlash

Reggie Fils-Aimé, former president of Nintendo of America, has subtly addressed the ongoing controversy surrounding Nintendo's decision to charge for the Switch 2 tutorial game, Welcome Tour, through a series of tweets. These tweets highlight the story of Wii Sports, a game that was famously bundled with the Wii console. This move comes amid widespread discussion about the $449.99 price of the Switch 2 and the $79.99 price tag for Mario Kart World, as well as the unexpected decision to charge for the interactive instruction manual, Welcome Tour.

During last week's Nintendo Direct, Nintendo unveiled the Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour, a game set to launch alongside the Switch 2 in June. Described as a "virtual exhibition" of the new hardware, Welcome Tour aims to familiarize players with the console through tech demos, minigames, and other interactive experiences. The Direct showcased a player avatar navigating a larger-than-life Switch 2, learning about its features and engaging in mini-games like Speed Golf, Dodge the Spiked Balls, and a Maracas Physics Demo.

IGN has confirmed that Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour will cost $9.99 and be available only digitally. While this price is lower than other Switch 2 games, it has sparked complaints from some Nintendo fans who argue that it should be a free pack-in, similar to how Astro's Playroom was included with the PlayStation 5.

Fils-Aimé's tweets reference a two-year-old IGN interview where he discussed his efforts to include Wii Sports as a free pack-in with the Wii console, despite opposition from Shigeru Miyamoto. He successfully advocated for Wii Sports to be bundled with the Wii in all regions except Japan, and also pushed for Wii Play to be included with the Wii Remote. Fils-Aimé's tweets underscore the positive impact these decisions had on sales and market reception, hinting that a similar strategy could benefit the Switch 2.

The story of Wii Sports pack in ... https://t.co/LhflSFWaL3

— Reggie Fils-Aimé (@Reggie) April 9, 2025

And the results. https://t.co/xrFTDeJMQf

— Reggie Fils-Aimé (@Reggie) April 9, 2025

Fils-Aimé's indirect commentary has resonated with fans, many of whom believe he would have advocated for Welcome Tour to be a free pack-in with the Switch 2. Meanwhile, IGN recently interviewed Bill Trinen, Nintendo of America's Vice President of Product and Player Experience, at a Switch 2 preview event in New York. Trinen emphasized the value of Welcome Tour, suggesting that its $9.99 price is justified given its detailed content and educational purpose.

Trinen highlighted that Welcome Tour is more than just an introductory guide; it's a robust piece of software aimed at those interested in the technical aspects of the Switch 2. He noted that upcoming Nintendo Treehouse Live segments would provide a deeper look into the game, reinforcing its value proposition.

The controversy surrounding Welcome Tour is just one aspect of Nintendo's next-generation strategy, which also includes Trinen’s response to questions about the $80 price for Switch 2 games and the $450 price for the Switch 2 itself. These decisions continue to fuel discussions and debates within the gaming community.