As Backlash Against $10 Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour Heats Up, Reggie Fils-Aimé Tweets the Story of Wii Sports Pack-in From IGN Interview — and Everyone Knows the Point He’s Trying to Make

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Former Nintendo of America President Reggie Fils-Aimé has subtly referenced the success of *Wii Sports* as a free pack-in title through a series of tweets responding to Nintendo’s recent decision to charge for the Switch 2 tutorial game, *Welcome Tour*. This comes amid widespread backlash over several pricing decisions from the company, including the $449.99 price tag of the Nintendo Switch 2 and the $79.99 cost of Mario Kart World.

The revelation of Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour during a recent Nintendo Direct generated surprise not only for its unique concept but also for being a paid title. Described by Nintendo as a “virtual exhibition” of the new hardware, the game will launch alongside the Switch 2 in June and guide players through the console’s features using tech demos, mini-games, and interactive elements.

Footage shown during the Direct depicted a small avatar navigating an oversized version of the Switch 2, learning about its features and capabilities. The experience includes mini-games such as Speed Golf, Dodge the Spiked Balls, and a Maracas Physics Demo.

According to IGN, *Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour* will be available exclusively as a digital download for $9.99. While this is significantly lower than standard retail titles, many fans have expressed disappointment that it isn’t included for free with the console—especially when compared to *Astro's Playroom*, which was bundled with the PlayStation 5 as a DualSense tech demo.

In response, Reggie Fils-Aimé shared three clips from a past IGN interview where he recounted his internal debate with Shigeru Miyamoto over making *Wii Sports* a free pack-in title. These posts serve as a subtle nod toward the benefits of offering key software at no extra cost to consumers.

In one clip, Fils-Aimé stated, “It is an understatement to say that Mr. Miyamoto pushed back” on the idea of bundling *Wii Sports* with the console. Despite resistance, he succeeded in getting the game included with the Wii in most global markets outside Japan.

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

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

A second clip highlighted another disagreement regarding *Wii Play*, a title bundled with the Wii Remote. Fils-Aimé admitted that once again, his proposal “pissed off” Miyamoto, who was “not happy about that either.”

Finally, Fils-Aimé shared a third excerpt titled “and the results,” summarizing how the inclusion of these titles proved successful:

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

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

“In the Americas and in Europe, *Wii Sports* was packed in with the Wii proposition. It was not in Japan, which created a bit of a test market. It was obvious that in the markets where *Wii Sports* was included, we became much more of a phenomenon. We did pack the Remote with *Wii Play*, and it became the fifth best-selling piece of software in the history of the Wii.”

Although Fils-Aimé hasn’t directly commented on Nintendo’s current strategy, his message is clear: free pack-ins have historically driven consumer engagement and sales. Fans online seem to agree, with many suggesting that he would have advocated for *Welcome Tour* to be offered for free.

IGN recently interviewed Nintendo of America Vice President of Product and Player Experience Bill Trinen at a Switch 2 preview event in New York. During the discussion, Trinen defended the $9.99 price point, stating that the game offers more depth than initially perceived.

“It's an interesting product,” Trinen explained. “We're actually getting ready today to do some Nintendo Treehouse Live segments covering a lot of games in detail—including this one. I think people will see through Treehouse Live probably a little more than they were able to see on the show floor. It's a pretty robust piece of software with a lot of great detail inside.”

He added, “For some people, especially those interested in the tech and specs of the system, it's going to be a great product. It's really for people who want more information about the system rather than just a quick intro to everything it does. And for that reason—and the amount of care and work the team put into it—we felt like $9.99 is not an exorbitant price. It feels like a good value for what you’re getting out of the product.”

While *Welcome Tour* may not be free, it’s just one part of a broader pricing controversy surrounding the upcoming Switch 2, including the decision to sell major titles at a premium $80 price point. For now, Nintendo continues to defend its approach, even as voices like Fils-Aimé’s suggest alternative strategies rooted in the company’s own history of success.