Reggie Fils-Aimé Highlights Wii Sports Success Amid Nintendo Switch 2 Backlash

Former Nintendo of America president Reggie Fils-Aimé has subtly weighed in on the controversy surrounding Nintendo's decision to charge for the Switch 2 tutorial game, Welcome Tour, by sharing insights from the story of Wii Sports. Amidst the uproar over the Switch 2's $449.99 price tag and Mario Kart World's $79.99 cost, fans were also taken aback by Nintendo's choice to charge for what is essentially an interactive instruction manual, the Welcome Tour.

Nintendo unveiled Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour during its recent Nintendo Direct, set to launch alongside the Switch 2 in June. This game offers a comprehensive guided tour of the new console through a video game format. Described as a "virtual exhibition" of the new hardware, it allows players to explore the system's features and functionalities through tech demos, minigames, and interactive elements.

The Nintendo Direct showcased a small 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 Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour will be priced at $9.99 and available only digitally. While this price is lower than other Switch 2 titles, it has sparked complaints from some fans who believe Welcome Tour should be a free pack-in, similar to how Astro's Playroom was included with the PlayStation 5.

Reggie Fils-Aimé has shared three clips from a two-year-old IGN interview where he discussed his internal struggles with Shigeru Miyamoto to include Wii Sports as a free pack-in with the Wii console. In the first clip, Fils-Aimé noted that "it is an understatement to say that Mr. Miyamoto pushed back” on this idea. Ultimately, Fils-Aimé prevailed, and Wii Sports was bundled with the Wii in all 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 shared his efforts to bundle Wii Play with the Wii Remote, despite Miyamoto's opposition. The third clip emphasized the success of these decisions, highlighting how Wii Sports significantly boosted the Wii's popularity in regions where it was included as a pack-in, and Wii Play became the fifth best-selling software for the Wii.

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

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

While Fils-Aimé's tweets do not directly address Nintendo's strategy for the Switch 2, they suggest that free pack-ins have historically been beneficial for Nintendo's consoles. Fans have picked up on this, with some humorously noting on social media that Fils-Aimé is aware of the current discourse around the Switch 2.

In a recent interview with IGN, Nintendo of America's Vice President of Product and Player Experience, Bill Trinen, provided more context on Welcome Tour. Speaking at a Switch 2 preview event in New York, Trinen emphasized that Welcome Tour offers more than what was shown during the Nintendo Direct and hands-on sessions. He argued that the $9.99 price is justified given the depth and detail of the software, which caters particularly to tech enthusiasts interested in the system's specifications.

Trinen highlighted that the Welcome Tour is designed for those who want an in-depth understanding of the system rather than a quick overview. He noted that Nintendo's Treehouse Live segments would provide further insight into the game's value, suggesting that the effort and detail put into Welcome Tour justify its price.

The controversy over Welcome Tour is just one aspect of Nintendo's next-generation strategy, which also includes the decision to set Switch 2 games at $80 and the console itself at $450. Trinen's comments aim to address these concerns and underline the value proposition of Nintendo's offerings.