Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour Accessory Costs Stir Debate Among Fans

Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour, while one of the most high-profile titles for the console’s launch, is receiving significant attention for reasons beyond its gameplay.

Developed by Nintendo, Welcome Tour was introduced in April as a showcase for the new platform, promising players a suite of engaging minigames and tech demos that make use of the Switch 2's updated capabilities.

However, as more players gain access to the game, discussion has shifted towards the additional accessory requirements needed for full completion. From the outset, Welcome Tour was frequently mentioned in community forums and gaming news outlets, raising questions about its status as a standalone purchase rather than a complimentary pack-in title for the Nintendo Switch 2.

Enthusiasm quickly gave way to concerns after early hands-on experiences revealed that a number of minigames require separate accessories to fully participate.

These accessories include the recently released Switch 2 Pro Controller 2, the Joy-Con 2 Charging Grip, as well as an external camera attachment for certain activities.

To achieve 100% completion in Welcome Tour, all these peripherals are necessary—a fact confirmed by the game's official eShop listing, which states, "Some experiences require additional accessories, sold separately." The financial commitment for completionists is not insubstantial.

Purchasing all recommended accessories to unlock every aspect of Welcome Tour amounts to approximately £124.98 or $139.98, although this cost can be reduced to £79.89 / $94.98 when opting for the Charging Grip in place of the Pro Controller 2.

This does not include the substantial investment required should players want to experience the full visual fidelity of certain tech demos, some of which are optimized for play on a 4K television. Despite these requirements, Nintendo has made it clear that most of Welcome Tour’s content remains accessible without the extra hardware.

In addition, there is a secondary progression route available, allowing players to earn medals for exhibits without the need to own every accessory.

This design ensures that players can enjoy the core experience, even if they are unable or unwilling to invest in the recommended peripherals. Nintendo's approach has been transparent, but the discussion around Welcome Tour’s accessory requirements contributes to ongoing debates about value and accessibility within the gaming community.

The company’s choice not to include Welcome Tour as a pack-in title with the Switch 2 has also intensified scrutiny of the game's pricing, especially as players weigh the additional costs associated with full completion. For dedicated players aiming for 100% completion, the challenge now extends beyond in-game achievements to include navigating the accessory ecosystem that supports Nintendo Switch 2’s ambitious first-party releases.

Despite these hurdles, Welcome Tour remains a central part of the Switch 2 launch, highlighting both the console’s innovative hardware capabilities and the evolving nature of game content delivery by major platform holders like Nintendo.

Nintendo Switch 2 Nintendo Switch Nintendo Switch 2 Switch Welcome Tour Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour Switch 2 Welcome Tour Pro Controller 2 Joy-Con 2 Charging Grip eShop Eurogamer