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

Reggie Fils-Aimé, the former head of Nintendo of America, has subtly referenced the saga of Wii Sports in a series of tweets that seem to comment on the controversy surrounding Nintendo's decision to charge for the Switch 2 tutorial game, Welcome Tour. The uproar stems from the high price points of the Switch 2, set at $449.99, and Mario Kart World, priced at $79.99, alongside the unexpected cost for the interactive instruction manual, Welcome Tour.

During last week's Nintendo Direct, the company unveiled Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour, slated for release alongside the Switch 2 in June. This game serves as a comprehensive guide to the new console, presented in an engaging video game format. Nintendo described Welcome Tour as a "virtual exhibition" of the new hardware, where players can explore the system's features through tech demos, mini-games, and interactive elements. The Direct showcased a player avatar navigating a giant Switch 2, discovering various console features and participating in mini-games like Speed Golf, Dodge the Spiked Balls, and a Maracas Physics Demo.

IGN confirmed that Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour will be available digitally for $9.99. While this is less than other Switch 2 titles, many fans have expressed disappointment that it isn't included for free, drawing comparisons to Sony's free DualSense tech demo, Astro's Playroom, for the PlayStation 5.

Fils-Aimé's tweets highlight a two-year-old IGN interview where he discussed his internal struggles with Shigeru Miyamoto over making Wii Sports a free pack-in with the Wii console. He managed to convince Nintendo to include Wii Sports with the Wii in all regions except Japan, a decision that significantly boosted the console's success. Fils-Aimé also mentioned a similar battle to bundle Wii Play with the Wii Remote, which became the fifth best-selling software for the Wii.

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

Although Fils-Aimé's comments don't directly address the Switch 2 strategy, they suggest that offering free pack-ins, as was successful with the Wii, could be beneficial for the Switch 2. Fans on social media have picked up on this, with some playfully suggesting that Fils-Aimé would have included Welcome Tour as a free pack-in if he were still in charge.

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 at a Switch 2 preview event in New York. He emphasized that the game offers much more than what was shown during the Nintendo Direct or media hands-on sessions, justifying its $9.99 price tag as a fair value for the detailed content it provides. Trinen highlighted that Welcome Tour is designed for those interested in the technical aspects of the Switch 2, offering a deep dive into the system's capabilities rather than just a quick introduction.

Welcome Tour is just one aspect of Nintendo's next-gen strategy that has stirred controversy, alongside discussions about the pricing of Switch 2 games at $80 and the console itself at $450. Trinen addressed these concerns, emphasizing the value and care put into Welcome Tour, suggesting that its price reflects the comprehensive experience it offers.