Reggie Fils-Aimé Highlights Wii Sports Pack-in Amid $10 Switch 2 Tour Backlash

Reggie Fils-Aimé, former president of Nintendo of America, has subtly referenced the story of Wii Sports through a series of tweets, seemingly commenting on the recent controversy over Nintendo's decision to charge for the Switch 2 tutorial game, Welcome Tour. Amidst the uproar over the Switch 2's $449.99 price and Mario Kart World's $79.99 price, the decision to charge for the interactive instruction manual, Welcome Tour, has sparked significant debate among fans.

Nintendo unveiled the Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour during its latest Nintendo Direct. Scheduled to launch alongside the Switch 2 in June, this game serves as a guided tour of the new console through engaging gameplay. Nintendo describes it as a "virtual exhibition" of the new hardware, allowing players to explore the system in depth through tech demos, mini-games, and other interactive elements. The Nintendo Direct showcased a player avatar navigating a larger-than-life Switch 2, learning about its features and engaging in mini-games like Speed Golf, Dodge the Spiked Balls, and a Maracas Physics Demo.

IGN has confirmed that the Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour is priced at $9.99 and will be available digitally only. While this is less expensive than other Switch 2 titles, there's been considerable backlash from fans who believe it should have been included as a free pack-in, similar to Astro's Playroom for the PlayStation 5.

Fils-Aimé took to X (formerly Twitter) to share three clips from a two-year-old IGN interview where he recounted his efforts to include Wii Sports as a free pack-in with the Wii console. He highlighted his internal battle with Shigeru Miyamoto, ultimately succeeding in bundling Wii Sports with the Wii in markets outside Japan. Fils-Aimé also mentioned his push for Wii Play to be bundled with the Wii Remote, despite Miyamoto's initial resistance. He emphasized the success of these strategies, noting that Wii Sports significantly boosted the Wii's appeal in regions where it was included.

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

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

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

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

While Fils-Aimé doesn't directly criticize Nintendo's current strategy, his tweets suggest a belief that including Welcome Tour as a free pack-in could have been beneficial for the Switch 2's market reception. Fans on social media have picked up on this, with many expressing that Fils-Aimé would likely have advocated for Welcome Tour to be included with the console.

In a recent interview with IGN, Nintendo of America's Vice President of Product and Player Experience, Bill Trinen, defended the pricing of Welcome Tour. Conducted before the announcement of a delay in Switch 2 pre-orders due to Trump's tariffs, Trinen emphasized the depth and value of Welcome Tour, suggesting that the $9.99 price is justified given the detailed content it offers. He highlighted upcoming Nintendo Treehouse Live segments that would showcase more of what Welcome Tour entails, positioning it as a valuable resource for those interested in the technical aspects of the Switch 2.

Trinen also addressed broader controversies surrounding the Switch 2's pricing, including the $80 price point for some games and the console's $450 cost. As Nintendo pushes forward with its next-generation console, these decisions continue to be a focal point of discussion among the gaming community.