The Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour is exactly what its name suggests—a guided exploration of your brand new console, its various accessories, and the impressive technology housed within. Developed and published by Nintendo, this unique piece of software serves multiple purposes: it functions as an instructional manual, an engaging demo suite, and a collection of mini-games. Essentially, it offers players an interactive museum experience that also takes a nostalgic look back at Nintendo's hardware innovations.

As you delve into the Welcome Tour, you find yourself jogging around an enormous digital replica of the Nintendo Switch 2 console, interacting with its components, collecting stamps, and testing various features. From trying out the HD Rumble 2 demos to conducting sound tests, the tour does more than merely showcase the console’s capabilities; it allows you to physically engage with them. The experience even incorporates quizzes and light-hearted puzzles that add an element of whimsical fun to the journey.

Interestingly, this tour lacks traditional gameplay elements such as combat, platforming, or a narrative to follow. Instead, players explore the intricate workings of the console, discover the significance of capacitors and circuits, spin Joy-Con wheels, and engage in over 50 bite-sized games that vary from clever to delightfully chaotic. One of the more unusual mini-games involves scraping imaginary grime off a virtual couch using a paint scraper, showcasing the quirky creativity that defines this tour.

Throughout the Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour, players encounter numerous info desks filled with what the game calls Insights. Each desk provides information about the hardware's inner workings—covering everything from the design hurdles faced during development to the specific functions of tiny components like the rubber pieces on the Joy-Con 2 strap that help dampen vibrations. These insights are not mere trivial facts; they reveal the careful consideration that went into the construction of the Switch 2, including features such as new cameras on the Joy-Cons that facilitate movement tracking in the innovative mouse mode.

Each Insight is accompanied by multiple-choice quizzes that test your memory of the material just covered. The questions are designed to be light-hearted and engaging, often featuring a mix of silly options alongside one correct answer. They’re generally easy to answer if you’ve been paying attention, and if you happen to miss one, the game will guide you back to the relevant board so you can brush up on the information before trying again. This loop of reading, answering, and exploring is surprisingly captivating and encourages deeper engagement.

As you progress through the tour, the questions become a bit more challenging, but the playful tone remains consistent. One moment, you might be asked to identify the location of the HD Rumble 2 motors, and the next, you could find yourself chuckling at a ridiculous answer like using “Telekinesis” to detach the Joy-Con controllers.

One of the standout features of the Welcome Tour is the plethora of mini-games, which are neatly categorized into showcases that highlight the hardware's various capabilities. With over 50 mini-games available, players can engage in a diverse range of activities, from quick reflex tests to more physically demanding challenges that require creative use of the Joy-Con controllers.

Some of these mini-games are straightforward and satisfying, such as hunting for floating pixels or gauging the exact tilt of the Switch's kickstand. Others, especially those in the Mouse Mode category, present a higher level of difficulty and demand precision, which can be particularly challenging if your gaming setup isn't optimal. For example, a notorious challenge involving dual-mouse UFO controls required numerous attempts to complete successfully. Nevertheless, if you find a certain game too tricky, you can swiftly switch to another using the warp menu, ensuring that frustration does not hinder your enjoyment.

Interestingly, some mini-games might necessitate the purchase of additional accessories, like the Nintendo Switch 2 Camera or the new Pro Controller, to complete them. Thankfully, players can bypass these sections if they do not own the required devices, so they aren't blocked from progressing through the other areas of the tour. However, those who do possess these accessories can fully engage with the mini-games to explore their features and earn valuable rewards in the form of medals.

The design of the mini-games is such that they are perfect for quick gaming sessions, making them ideal for players looking to play in short bursts. The medals earned from mini-games unlock more challenging levels, and while not every game variation is a hit, most provide quick, enjoyable experiences that encourage experimentation with the console.

The tech demos encompassed within the Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour function as interactive showcases—concise, focused experiments that highlight what the console is capable of achieving. There are a total of 14 demos, each dedicated to a specific feature that players might overlook during standard gameplay.

These demos allow players to interact with the hardware in unexpected ways, including testing the built-in microphone’s noise reduction capabilities, triggering sound effects via the Joy-Con controllers, or experimenting with 3D audio using a spinning helicopter simulation. One standout demo involves revving a virtual motorbike with the controller, while others introduce whimsical elements, like transforming your voice through amusing filters. Most demos are easy to access and enjoyable to experiment with, making them particularly appealing for families sharing the console. Notably, the parrot and gorilla echo generator was particularly popular during family play sessions.

Importantly, these demos help highlight the subtler aspects of the hardware that might otherwise go unnoticed. While the variable refresh rate test didn’t make a significant impression, most other demos were well-received. Collectively, they succeed in showcasing the features of the console in a way that is both engaging and informative, ensuring that even a single visit to each demo leaves a lasting impression.

The Verdict
Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour is a cleverly designed, playful exploration of the console's technology, merging informative insights with quirky mini-games and engaging demos. It offers a wealth of content that is both entertaining and enlightening, showcasing the hardware’s strengths and peculiarities without any sugar-coating. Although some activities require the purchase of additional accessories, the experience provides ample content to keep users engrossed for hours. Notably, while it is not included with the console, this affordably priced experience offers a valuable way to appreciate the full capabilities of your new system.

Final Score: 7.5/10 - Good

Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour Details
Platform: Nintendo Switch 2
Developer: Nintendo
Publisher: Nintendo
Genre: Adventure, Educational, Simulation
Modes: Single-player

A key was provided by the publisher.