Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour is an exploratory walking simulator that showcases the new console’s hardware and features in detail. The game takes users on a virtual tour inside and around an oversized Switch 2 and its accessories, highlighting upgrades and technology through interactive exhibits and minigames.
Players navigate an isometric environment, running and jogging around components like Joy-Cons, the dock, and peripherals. As they progress, they collect stamps to unlock new areas and encounter over 50 minigames that demonstrate the console’s capabilities, including an impressive use of the enhanced HD rumble feature.
The experience also includes 14 technology demonstrations, such as 3D Sound and noise reduction tests, as well as multiple-choice quizzes that dive into the design challenges and innovations behind the system. These educational elements provide insight into Nintendo’s engineering and design philosophy.
While some minigames can be challenging—especially those using motion controls—the variety ensures a well-rounded showcase. Certain features and games require specific accessories like the Camera, Pro Controller, or a 4K TV, but the game offers alternative ways to earn progress without them.
Presentation is highly polished, with detailed renderings of hardware components and a sterile, museum-like atmosphere that emphasizes Nintendo’s attention to design precision. The Welcome Tour avoids boastful comparisons and instead offers a candid look at the console’s development, including frank discussions of technical limitations.
Priced at $9.99 / £7.99, many argue this title should have been included with the console or offered free with a Nintendo Switch Online subscription. Despite some controversy over charging separately, the Welcome Tour delivers substantial content, blending instruction, demo, and advertisement for Nintendo’s accessories.
Overall, Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour serves as both a tribute to the new hardware and a detailed guide, making it a valuable companion for new owners, even if its paywall limits wider access.