Shuhei Yoshida, the former president of Sony Interactive Entertainment, has weighed in on the controversy surrounding Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour, revealing he is confused by the decision to charge $9.99 for the software. With the launch of the Switch 2 coming on June 5, Nintendo has recently given fans a better idea of what to expect from the console, including Welcome Tour.

While Mario Kart World might be the main attraction for Nintendo on launch day, Welcome Tour offers a unique experience to help educate players about the new console. The game functions as an interactive exhibit, giving a closer look at some features of the upcoming console. According to Nintendo, Welcome Tour will provide “lots of insights about the console,” including closer looks at features like the Joy-Con 2 controllers. Additionally, players will learn about their system while taking quizzes, playing minigames, and checking out tech demos.

Shuhei Yoshida expressed his uncertainty regarding Nintendo’s pricing strategy for the Welcome Tour, stating, “I just don’t understand. You would want everyone to experience that, right?” He highlighted that making the game free would allow more new Switch 2 users to familiarize themselves with the console, potentially increasing the fan base. Yoshida referred to the price as “an opportunity loss for Nintendo.”

It’s vital to note that this approach notably contrasts with experiences in other gaming platforms, where titles like Astro’s Playroom for PS5 and Nintendo’s own Wii Sports for Wii were available for free as pack-in titles.

As the launch date approaches, it will be interesting to see the public’s response to the Welcome Tour and whether Nintendo’s defense of the game’s depth and development costs will resonate with players.