Nintendo Confirms Switch 2 and Paid Welcome Tour Launching June 5

The $9.99 Welcome Tour software, designed as an interactive user manual, reignites debate over Nintendo's departure from free pack-in titles like Wii Sports.

• Nintendo has officially announced that the Switch 2 and its Welcome Tour software will launch simultaneously on June 5, 2025.
• The Welcome Tour, priced at $9.99, serves as an in-depth guide to the Switch 2's features through mini-games and interactive tutorials.
• This marks a shift from Nintendo's historical approach of including free pack-in titles, such as Wii Sports with the Wii in the Americas and Europe.
• Former Nintendo of America president Reggie Fils-Aimé has highlighted the success of free pack-ins like Wii Sports, suggesting they contributed to the Wii's widespread popularity.
• The decision to charge for Welcome Tour has sparked discussion among fans and industry observers, contrasting it with free offerings like Astro's Playroom on the PlayStation 5.

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