Nintendo Switch 2: The Good, the Bad, and the $10 Welcome Tour
Eight years after the launch of the original console, the Nintendo Switch 2 has finally been announced. The new console has got people talking due to its larger size, and new features such as the ability to use Joy-Cons as mice and Game Chat.
A Mixed Bag of Reactions
The reaction has been largely positive – although the price of the games is a sticking point – and fans are excited to get their hands on the Switch 2 when it releases on 5 June. However, there’s one aspect of the new console that hasn’t gone down so well with fans. Instead of shipping the Switch 2 with a handy intro that shows users how to use it, or – dare I say it – a manual, gamers will have to pay around $10 to download a Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour, a short game that will show off its new features.
A Cheeky Move from Nintendo?
This feels like a cheeky move from Nintendo. After all, the console alone costs $449 / £395.99 (more with Mario Kart World included), why should gamers then have to pay to find out how to use their new console? The thing is, once the game comes out I’m sure that the internet will be quickly filled with the game’s “secrets”, but maybe, just maybe, the Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour might be worth getting for the graphic design alone. I said maybe.
A Look at the Welcome Tour
The style of the Welcome Tour reminds me of my early days of gaming in the ’90s, back when I spent hours playing Theme Hospital in my dad’s office, and the most fun to be had at the weekend was seeing how many Lemmings I could lure off a cliff. The graphics are, of course, more advanced than those games, but they still have a ’90s feel about them, and moving around in the game discovering all the little tips and tricks does look like fun.
Is it Worth the Price?
One thing that isn’t clear is how long this Welcome Tour lasts. If it’s just ten minutes long then it doesn’t seem worth it. But escaping into this utopian world for an hour while you play mini games and learn to get the most from your Switch? That feels more tempting. Let’s not forget the success of Astro Bot Playroom, which did the same as the Welcome Tour for the launch of the PS5. Of course, this is was free, and its paid-for sequel went on to win a BAFTA.
Conclusion
Overall though, paying for what is essentially a manual feels like a worrying trend. It’s reminiscent of Apple, who no longer send manuals with their products. (When I first got an iPhone I remember being baffled as to how to turn it on.) However, unlike Nintendo, Apple doesn’t charge you $10 to access an online manual. But might it, if people do pay for Nintendo’s glorified manual?
FAQs
Q: Why do I need to pay for a welcome tour?
A: According to Nintendo, the Welcome Tour is a unique way to show off the new features of the Switch 2 and provide an immersive experience for users.
Q: How long does the Welcome Tour last?
A: The length of the Welcome Tour is currently unknown, but it’s expected to be around an hour long.
Q: Is the Welcome Tour worth the price?
A: It’s unclear whether the Welcome Tour is worth the $10 price tag. While it may provide an entertaining experience, it’s essentially a manual and could be provided for free.
Q: Will Apple follow suit and charge for manuals?
A: It’s unlikely that Apple will charge for manuals in the future, as they are already digital and easily accessible online.
