A tour that’s worth every stamp
By Paul Hunter
Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour is exactly what it sounds like—a guided walk through your shiny new system, its accessories, and all the tech packed inside. Developed and published by Nintendo, this unusual bit of software doubles as an explainer, demo suite, and minigame collection. It’s part instruction manual, part interactive museum, and part nostalgic stroll through Nintendo’s hardware know-how.
You jog around an enormous Nintendo Switch 2 console (and its accessories) stopping to poke at components, collect stamps, and test features. From HD Rumble 2 demos to sound tests, it doesn’t just show off what the console can do, it lets you play with it. It even tosses in quizzes and a little lost-and-found along the way, just to keep things weirdly delightful.
There’s no combat, no platforming, no plot to follow. Instead, you’ll explore capacitors and circuits, spin Joy-Con wheels, and try your luck in over 50 bite-sized games. Some are clever, some chaotic—one even had me scraping imaginary grime off my couch using a paint scraper.
So is this tech-filled treasure hunt an essential tour of your shiny new console, or just a clever ad for accessories you perhaps haven't bought yet? Let's find out!
Scattered throughout Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour are dozens of info desks packed with what the game calls Insights. Each one dives into the hardware’s inner workings—everything from design challenges to oddly specific components like the two pieces of rubber on the Joy-Con 2 strap helping to quiet vibrations. These aren't just fluff facts. They show how much thought went into the Switch 2's construction, even down to the new cameras on Joy-Cons side used to track movement in the new mouse mode.
Each Insight includes nearby multiple-choice quizzes that test your memory of what you just read. The questions are mostly light-hearted, with a mix of silly options and one clear answer. They're not hard if you're paying attention, and if you miss one, the game points you right back to the relevant board so you can brush up and try again. It’s surprisingly easy to get pulled into the loop of reading, answering, and exploring.
The questions get a bit trickier as you move deeper into the console but still, the tone stays light. One moment you're being asked where the HD Rumble 2 motors are located, the next you're laughing at a fake answer like using “Telekinesis” to detach the Joy-Con controllers.
Mini games are scattered throughout Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour, grouped into small showcases that highlight different pieces of the hardware. There are over 50 of them, ranging from quick reflex tests to more physical challenges that ask you to use the Joy-Con in creative ways.
Some are simple and satisfying—like hunting floating pixels or guessing the exact tilt of the kickstand. Others push back a bit harder, especially the Mouse Mode games, which demand precision and can hard to get the high score if your setup isn’t ideal. One notorious challenge involving dual-mouse UFO controls took over a dozen tries to beat. Still, nothing here stops you from moving forward. If a game doesn’t click, you can jump to something else instantly using the warp menu.
It's a bit of a head-scratcher that you won't be able to complete some mini games without buying accessories like the Nintendo Switch 2 Camera or the new Pro Controller. Thankfully you can bypass these sections if you don't own the devices, so you're not gatekeeped from moving on to other areas. If you do own these accessories though the mini games let you explore their features and you can get valuable medals as rewards.
The games are short, punchy, and well-suited to pick-up-and-play sessions. Medals earned from each unlock tougher levels, and while not every variation is a winner, most deliver quick bursts of fun that make playing worthwhile. Whether you’re scraping virtual stains or shaking maracas, the mini games give you a reason to interact with the system in ways you wouldn’t normally think to try.
The tech demos in Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour act like digital toys—quick, focused experiments that show off what the console can do. There are 14 in total, each one spotlighting a specific feature you might not have noticed otherwise.
These demos let you interact with the hardware in unexpected ways. You can test the built-in microphone’s noise reduction, trigger sound effects through the Joy-Con, or play around with 3D audio using a spinning helicopter. One standout lets you rev a virtual motorbike using the controller, while others get more whimsical, like hearing your voice transformed by goofy filters.
Most of the demos are easy to jump into and fun to fiddle with—even more so if you’re sharing the console with kids. The parrot and gorilla echo generator was a big hit during my family sessions. They don’t overstay their welcome either. Each one is short, snappy, and tuned for quick experimentation.
These demos also help highlight the quieter details of the hardware. The variable refresh rate test didn’t impress as much, but everything else landed. Together, they make it easier to appreciate the smaller upgrades that don’t always stand out during regular play. Even if you only check them out once, they succeed in giving the console’s features their time in the spotlight.
Final Score: 7.5/10 - Good
Developer: Nintendo
Publisher: Nintendo
Genre: Adventure, Educational, Simulation
Modes: Single-player
A key was provided by the publisher.
By Paul Hunter
Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour is exactly what it sounds like—a guided walk through your shiny new system, its accessories, and all the tech packed inside. Developed and published by Nintendo, this unusual bit of software doubles as an explainer, demo suite, and minigame collection. It’s part instruction manual, part interactive museum, and part nostalgic stroll through Nintendo’s hardware know-how.
You jog around an enormous Nintendo Switch 2 console (and its accessories) stopping to poke at components, collect stamps, and test features. From HD Rumble 2 demos to sound tests, it doesn’t just show off what the console can do, it lets you play with it. It even tosses in quizzes and a little lost-and-found along the way, just to keep things weirdly delightful.
There’s no combat, no platforming, no plot to follow. Instead, you’ll explore capacitors and circuits, spin Joy-Con wheels, and try your luck in over 50 bite-sized games. Some are clever, some chaotic—one even had me scraping imaginary grime off my couch using a paint scraper.
So is this tech-filled treasure hunt an essential tour of your shiny new console, or just a clever ad for accessories you perhaps haven't bought yet? Let's find out!
Scattered throughout Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour are dozens of info desks packed with what the game calls Insights. Each one dives into the hardware’s inner workings—everything from design challenges to oddly specific components like the two pieces of rubber on the Joy-Con 2 strap helping to quiet vibrations. These aren't just fluff facts. They show how much thought went into the Switch 2's construction, even down to the new cameras on Joy-Cons side used to track movement in the new mouse mode.
Each Insight includes nearby multiple-choice quizzes that test your memory of what you just read. The questions are mostly light-hearted, with a mix of silly options and one clear answer. They're not hard if you're paying attention, and if you miss one, the game points you right back to the relevant board so you can brush up and try again. It’s surprisingly easy to get pulled into the loop of reading, answering, and exploring.
The questions get a bit trickier as you move deeper into the console but still, the tone stays light. One moment you're being asked where the HD Rumble 2 motors are located, the next you're laughing at a fake answer like using “Telekinesis” to detach the Joy-Con controllers.
Mini games are scattered throughout Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour, grouped into small showcases that highlight different pieces of the hardware. There are over 50 of them, ranging from quick reflex tests to more physical challenges that ask you to use the Joy-Con in creative ways.
Some are simple and satisfying—like hunting floating pixels or guessing the exact tilt of the kickstand. Others push back a bit harder, especially the Mouse Mode games, which demand precision and can hard to get the high score if your setup isn’t ideal. One notorious challenge involving dual-mouse UFO controls took over a dozen tries to beat. Still, nothing here stops you from moving forward. If a game doesn’t click, you can jump to something else instantly using the warp menu.
It's a bit of a head-scratcher that you won't be able to complete some mini games without buying accessories like the Nintendo Switch 2 Camera or the new Pro Controller. Thankfully you can bypass these sections if you don't own the devices, so you're not gatekeeped from moving on to other areas. If you do own these accessories though the mini games let you explore their features and you can get valuable medals as rewards.
The games are short, punchy, and well-suited to pick-up-and-play sessions. Medals earned from each unlock tougher levels, and while not every variation is a winner, most deliver quick bursts of fun that make playing worthwhile. Whether you’re scraping virtual stains or shaking maracas, the mini games give you a reason to interact with the system in ways you wouldn’t normally think to try.
The tech demos in Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour act like digital toys—quick, focused experiments that show off what the console can do. There are 14 in total, each one spotlighting a specific feature you might not have noticed otherwise.
These demos let you interact with the hardware in unexpected ways. You can test the built-in microphone’s noise reduction, trigger sound effects through the Joy-Con, or play around with 3D audio using a spinning helicopter. One standout lets you rev a virtual motorbike using the controller, while others get more whimsical, like hearing your voice transformed by goofy filters.
Most of the demos are easy to jump into and fun to fiddle with—even more so if you’re sharing the console with kids. The parrot and gorilla echo generator was a big hit during my family sessions. They don’t overstay their welcome either. Each one is short, snappy, and tuned for quick experimentation.
These demos also help highlight the quieter details of the hardware. The variable refresh rate test didn’t impress as much, but everything else landed. Together, they make it easier to appreciate the smaller upgrades that don’t always stand out during regular play. Even if you only check them out once, they succeed in giving the console’s features their time in the spotlight.
The Verdict
Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour is a smart, playful deep dive into the console’s tech, blending informative insights with quirky minigames and neat demos. It’s packed with content that’s both fun and revealing, showing off the hardware’s strengths and quirks without sugarcoating. While a few activities require purchasing extra accessories, there’s enough here to keep you exploring for hours. Though oddly not included with the console, this modestly priced experience is a solid way to appreciate what your new system really offers.Final Score: 7.5/10 - Good
Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour details
Platform: Nintendo Switch 2Developer: Nintendo
Publisher: Nintendo
Genre: Adventure, Educational, Simulation
Modes: Single-player
A key was provided by the publisher.