Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour Review

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Initially, the announcement of “Nintendo Switch 2 Introduction Tour” as a game launching alongside the Nintendo Switch 2 caught my attention. Essentially, this game serves as an interactive user manual, guiding players through a tour of the Switch 2’s features via mini-games, tech demos, and quizzes designed to test one’s understanding of the new system. Admittedly, it’s an unusual concept, but given Nintendo’s reputation, I thought they might pull it off. However, my interest took a dive when I found out that “Nintendo Switch 2 Introduction Tour” wouldn’t come free with the Nintendo Switch 2, but would cost $10 as a premium title instead. Despite this setback, being one of the few exclusive launch titles for the Switch 2, I approached the game with an open mind. Regrettably, it didn’t even live up to my modest expectations.

The Nintendo Switch 2 Introduction Tour is held on oversized replicas of the Switch 2 console hardware. Players navigate over colossal Joy-Con 2 controllers, the system’s touch screen, and various accessories, learning about their features. This concept recalls Astro’s Playroom, a game that utilized 3D platformer mechanics to display the distinctive characteristics of the PlayStation 5 and its DualSense controller. However, while Sony created an exhilarating, entirely free tech demo with charm and stunning visuals, Nintendo chose to develop an underwhelming experience instead and priced it at $10.

In simpler terms, the mini-games found in the Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour are less engaging compared to the fast-paced microgames from the WarioWare series. These mini-games usually end within a minute and move on to another game. Although players can unlock advanced versions of these mini-games in the Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour, this doesn’t necessarily make them more enjoyable. For instance, one of the first games you encounter involves dodging falling spike balls as a UFO using the Joy-Con 2’s mouse function. After collecting enough medals, players unlock a new version where they also have to collect stars. The majority of other mini-games evolve in a similar fashion and while they may become slightly challenging, they are all so simple and unoriginal that they fail to add significant fun to the experience.

In many games of the Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour, the Joy-Con 2’s mouse function is central, yet some games add variety. One game uses the touchscreen, another requires players to mimic the Switch 2’s on-screen orientation by adjusting their console stand. Interestingly, a few games demand additional accessories, which seems unusual for this tour. The main motivation behind the Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour is completing all its tasks, but achieving this goal is only possible if one chooses to purchase an extra controller with GL/GR buttons and a camera.

Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour Blocks Content Behind Optional Accessories

In the Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour game, one of the mini-games necessitates either the Switch 2 Pro Controller or the Charging Grip, while another involves a camera. The advantage is that the Switch 2 can theoretically operate with various USB-C cameras. However, the downside is that the camera mini-game has been challenging to get functioning correctly. I spent over 20 minutes adjusting the official Switch 2 Camera in an attempt to launch its associated mini-game. Fortunately, the Pro Controller mini-game, which focuses on pressing the indicated buttons, eventually started working. Unfortunately, it seems there was a miscommunication as it claimed I was holding down buttons that I wasn’t even touching.

Some Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour content also requires a 4K TV or monitor.

The mini-games presented during the Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour can sometimes be entertaining when they function correctly, but many are uninspired. However, the tech demos offer a more engaging experience. It’s important to note that these tech demos for the Nintendo Switch 2 are not games per se, but they represent some of the most imaginative ways the console demonstrates its capabilities. One demo I particularly enjoy is the one where the Joy-Con 2 controllers are held upside down to simulate motorcycle handlebars. In this demo, players can control the throttle just like on a real bike. The HD Rumble 2 technology truly shines in this demo, suggesting that it has great potential if developers leverage it effectively.

Once players have explored the HD Rumble 2 tech demos and enjoyed the mini-games in Nintendo Switch 2, the Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour offers additional challenges: educational quizzes scattered throughout the game world. These quizzes provide information about the new Switch 2, but some may find them rather dull. Initially, I found myself skipping them, which improved the overall flow of the experience.

The main objective of the Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour is to explore lifelike models of the hardware and locate “stamps,” which are small stations that offer detailed information about different components on the console and its accessories. Gathering enough stamps allows players to progress to the next section, where they can find more stamps, and so on. The process of discovering the stamps isn’t difficult or captivating, thus failing to enhance the enjoyment of the Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour.

Should You Buy Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour?

The Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour transforms from an engaging exploration of the Switch 2 into a disappointing game due to the sensation that I spent $10 on what essentially amounts to an advertisement for the console’s add-ons. While navigating the Joy-Con 2 Wheel Area, I encountered an NPC expressing a desire to play with the Joy-Con 2 wheel, saying “I can’t wait to use it… I hope my kids ask for it. Then I’ll get to use it too!” This, along with the inclusion of two games that are inaccessible without Switch 2 accessories, leaves a sour impression.

If the Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour were a complimentary game rather than a premium one, its difficulties would be far more palatable. However, since it’s a paid title, it expects players to shell out money for additional, costly accessories that are necessary for the already-pricey Switch 2 console. Moreover, it essentially functions as an advertisement for even more of these accessories. This borderline crosses into being offensive.

In the Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour, it required approximately three hours in total to locate all the stamps, with around twenty minutes spent struggling to manage the camera settings.

As a die-hard fan, I must admit that the Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour isn’t my cup of tea, entertainment-wise. However, it does have its charms that make it somewhat appealing. The oversized Switch 2 hardware prototypes are quite the sight to behold, and there’s more content than one might initially expect. For those aiming for a perfect score, additional accessories will be required, and mastering the mini-games and quizzes will take a fair amount of time and effort. It’s not my idea of fun, but it seems like a decent way to pass the time until more exhilarating Switch 2 exclusives arrive on the platform.

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2025-06-06 04:04