Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour Demands $95 in Extras for Full 4K Completion

Nintendo's $10 Switch 2 Welcome Tour, a mini-game collection many fans argue should have been free, demands ownership of roughly $95 in accessories to achieve 100% completion.

Launching alongside the new console, the Switch 2 Welcome Tour features a series of miniature games and experiences crafted to demonstrate the hardware's capabilities.

However, this includes mini-games specifically designed for the Switch 2's camera and its additional GL/GR buttons. These buttons are absent on the standard Joy-Con, requiring a separately sold Charging Grip or Pro Controller (as noted by NintendoSoup).

Furthermore, you'll need access to a 4K TV, an issue for those planning to use the Switch 2 exclusively in handheld mode.

As fans have detailed, three specific mini-games require extra equipment: one needs the camera, another requires a controller with GL/GR buttons, and a third mini-game plus a separate tech demo need a 4K display.

Consequently, players aiming to experience everything in the Welcome Tour must pay not only the $10 for the software but also $54.99 for a Switch 2 Camera, and either $39.99 for a Charging Grip or $84.99 for a Pro Controller to access the GL/GR functions.

A helpful note is that the Switch 2 supports third-party cameras, allowing users to potentially use a cheaper USB-C webcam.

While the console is compatible with the original Switch Pro Controller, that model lacks the necessary GL/GR buttons, forcing a new purchase. Due to recent tariffs, these accessory prices are also slightly higher than initially announced.

Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour Slideshow

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Nintendo has drawn criticism for not bundling the Welcome Tour with the console itself. As an interactive introduction to the new hardware—essentially a playable manual—it seemed a perfect pack-in title, much like Wii Sports was for the Wii.

Even former Nintendo of America president Reggie Fils-Aimé has weighed in, recalling the internal debate over Wii Sports. He disagreed with Japanese executives who wanted it sold separately (as it was in Japan) and pushed for its inclusion in North American and European bundles, a move that helped make it one of the best-selling games ever.

"Each person must decide if $10 is worth learning about the cartridge slot or watching an HDR fireworks demo," IGN wrote recently. "The entire conversation around Welcome Tour has been soured by Nintendo's choice to charge for it." It remains to be seen if these extra costs further affect consumer interest.

In related news, IGN reported earlier on issues of damaged Switch 2 consoles caused by retailers using staples on the thin packaging—a concern for anyone purchasing the system, with or without the Welcome Tour.