Former Nintendo of America president Reggie Fils-Aimé has subtly addressed the uproar over Nintendo’s choice to charge for the Switch 2’s tutorial game, Welcome Tour, by referencing the success of Wii Sports as a free pack-in title in a series of tweets.

The $449.99 price tag for the Switch 2 and the $79.99 cost of Mario Kart World sparked widespread criticism, but Nintendo’s decision to charge for the interactive guide, Welcome Tour, drew particular ire from fans.

During last week’s Nintendo Direct, Nintendo unveiled Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour, a game launching alongside the Switch 2 in June that introduces players to the console through an interactive experience.

Nintendo describes Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour as a "virtual showcase" of the new console. According to Nintendo: "Through tech demos, mini-games, and interactive elements, players will explore the system’s features in a unique and engaging way."

Footage from the Nintendo Direct revealed a player avatar navigating an oversized Switch 2, discovering console features and enjoying mini-games like Speed Golf, Dodge the Spiked Balls, and a Maracas Physics Demo.

IGN confirmed that Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour is priced at $9.99 and available only digitally. While more affordable than other Switch 2 titles, the decision to charge for it has frustrated some fans, who argue it should be included free, much like the PlayStation 5’s Astro’s Playroom.

In response, Fils-Aimé shared three clips from a two-year-old IGN interview, where he discussed his push to include Wii Sports as a free pack-in for the Wii, despite resistance from renowned developer Shigeru Miyamoto.

In the first clip, Fils-Aimé noted that Miyamoto strongly opposed making Wii Sports a pack-in title. Ultimately, Fils-Aimé’s efforts succeeded, with Wii Sports bundled with the Wii in most regions, except Japan.

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

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

In the second clip, Fils-Aimé described a similar struggle to bundle Wii Play with the Wii Remote, again facing pushback from Miyamoto, who was displeased with the idea.

In his final tweet, labeled “and the results,” Fils-Aimé highlighted the outcome of these decisions, sharing a clip where he explained the impact of including Wii Sports with the Wii console.

“In the Americas and Europe, Wii Sports was included with the Wii, unlike in Japan, creating a natural experiment. It was clear that bundling Wii Sports turned the console into a cultural phenomenon, with the game itself achieving massive popularity.

“We also bundled Wii Play with the Wii Remote, which became the fifth best-selling title in the Wii’s history.”

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

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

Fils-Aimé’s tweets subtly suggest that free pack-in titles have historically boosted Nintendo’s success, implying a similar strategy could benefit the Switch 2.

Fans quickly picked up on the message. “Reggie’s definitely keeping an eye on our Switch 2 comments,” one X user remarked. Another added, “We know you’d have made Welcome Tour a pack-in.”

This week, IGN shared an interview with Bill Trinen, Nintendo of America’s Vice President of Product and Player Experience, conducted at a recent Switch 2 preview event in New York, before the company delayed pre-orders due to Trump’s tariffs.

Trinen emphasized that Welcome Tour offers more depth than its Nintendo Direct reveal suggested, even compared to recent media hands-on sessions. He argued that the $9.99 price reflects its value.

“It’s a unique product,” Trinen said. “We’re preparing Nintendo Treehouse Live segments to showcase various games in detail, including this one. I think people will see more than what was shown on the show floor. It’s a robust piece of software with a lot of depth.

“For those curious about the system’s tech and specs, it’s an excellent product. It’s designed for players who want a deeper understanding of the console, beyond a quick overview.

“Given the care and effort the team invested, we believe $9.99 is a fair price for the value it delivers.”

The controversy around Welcome Tour is just one aspect of Nintendo’s next-gen strategy, with debates also swirling around the $80 price for Switch 2 games and the $450 cost of the console itself.