Reggie Fils-Aimé on Wii Sports' Legacy Amid Switch 2 Backlash

Former Nintendo of America president Reggie Fils-Aimé has subtly referenced the legacy of Wii Sports in recent tweets, drawing parallels to the ongoing debate about Nintendo's paid tutorial game, Welcome Tour, for the upcoming Switch 2.

While much attention has focused on the Switch 2's $449.99 price point and Mario Kart World's $79.99 cost, many gamers were surprised by Nintendo's choice to charge for Welcome Tour—an interactive guide designed to familiarize players with the new console.

Nintendo unveiled Switch 2 Welcome Tour during last week's Direct presentation. This software launch title offers a gamified introduction to the system's features through mini-games and demonstrations when the hardware releases in June.

Positioned as a "virtual showcase" of the hardware, Welcome Tour employs tech demos and interactive experiences to reveal aspects of the Switch 2 that users might otherwise overlook, according to Nintendo's description.

The Direct footage depicted an avatar navigating an oversized Switch 2 model while learning about its capabilities, alongside mini-games including Speed Golf, Dodge the Spiked Balls, and a Maracas Physics demonstration.

Priced at $9.99 as a digital exclusive, Welcome Tour costs substantially less than other Switch 2 titles. However, as IGN reported, some fans argue it should be included free with the console—similar to how PlayStation 5 bundled Astro's Playroom as a DualSense controller demo.

Fils-Aimé recently shared three interview excerpts discussing his successful campaign to include Wii Sports with the original Wii console—a controversial decision that famously clashed with Shigeru Miyamoto's initial opposition.

The first clip underscores Miyamoto's strong resistance to bundling Wii Sports, though Fils-Aimé ultimately prevailed—except in the Japanese market where it remained a separate purchase.

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

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

A second excerpt recalls similar negotiations regarding Wii Play's inclusion with the Wii Remote, another move that reportedly frustrated Miyamoto at the time.

The final shared clip highlights the commercial success of these bundling decisions, with Wii Sports becoming integral to the Wii's cultural impact and Wii Play ranking among the platform's top-selling titles.

"In regions where Wii Sports shipped with the console, it significantly amplified our market penetration and cultural presence compared to Japan where it didn't," Fils-Aimé explained in the interview.

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

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

Though not explicitly mentioning the Switch 2 situation, Fils-Aimé's tweets clearly reference Nintendo's historical success with bundled software—a subtle commentary on current fan complaints about Welcome Tour's pricing.

Observers quickly recognized the connection, with one Twitter user joking: "Reggie's definitely seen our complaints about paid tutorials." Another added: "We know you would've included Welcome Tour for free."

The discussion follows IGN's exclusive interview with Nintendo of America's Bill Trinen shortly before the company postponed Switch 2 pre-orders due to tariff adjustments.

Trinen defended Welcome Tour's pricing, stating its depth justifies the cost: "For tech enthusiasts wanting detailed system insights beyond basic orientation, it represents strong value at $9.99 given its robust content."

"Through upcoming Treehouse Live segments, players will see Welcome Tour's full scope exceeds what preview events could show," Trinen elaborated. "The development team invested exceptional effort to create something that offers meaningful value for its asking price."

Amid broader debates about Switch 2 pricing—from $80 game titles to the $450 hardware—Welcome Tour's reception represents just one facet of Nintendo's next-generation strategy currently facing scrutiny.