Nintendo doesn't launch Switch 2 with Mario Kart as the spotlight game; instead, this underrated title deserves a download by everyone.
Fancy Meeting You Here:
Welp, let's cut the crap - it's Nintendo, baby! Much like every other fanboy out there, when the slick Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour didn't come packaged with the console, but instead priced at a hefty £8.99/$9.99, I was well and truly peeved.
With Mario Kart World seemingly breaking records as Nintendo's priciest launch game ever, it's a bit of a mood killer knowing that what appears to be a bundled title is actually a premium download. And don't even get me started on the whopping price tag for Mario Kart World!
But listen up, 'cause this little number ain't all bad. This game takes you on a tour of a museum-like exhibition, showcasing the updates and boosts that the Switch 2 sports over its predecessor. You'll explore different sections, find stamps to unlock new areas, and participate in tech demos and mini-games that highlight the device's impressive upgrades.
Think of it as your own personal tech fair. And these games ain't just for fun, no siree. They reward you with medals for completing certain objectives, which then unlock more stages in the games. So, if you're anything like me and thought mouse mode was a flimsy gimmick, you'll find plenty of games that prove just how cool it can be in the right hands.
One second I'm doubting the usefulness of mouse mode, next thing I know, I'm playing numerous games demonstrating its true potential. And those tech demos? Mind-blowing! They showcase jaw-dropping updates like vibration engines so accurate they can produce sounds, like the iconic Mario coin sound.
The entire setup forms a fun structure, with harder games only accessible behind medal barriers. You can explore the entire exhibit just by finding all the necessary stamps to move on, and scattered throughout are trivia stations.
These pop-upinfo-hubs provide details about specific features, like a set of boards explaining the differences between the new dock and the old one. You can then test your knowledge by taking a quick quiz. It's like a tech teacher on speed, and it's probably the part where the game feels most like a sales pitch.
But here's the thing: I've been loving this tech teacher on speed! It delves deeper than I expected, often discussing tiny engineering decisions and why they were made. For example, the new dock now has four non-slip feet to prevent it from sliding around, but because no slip is actually more likely to cause tipping, one foot is designed slightly differently to encourage a tiny bit of slip - making it mostly non-slip, but also tip-resistant.
These fascinating insights are scattered throughout the game, making it a genuinely intriguing way to learn about the device. Who knew a tech manual could be so engaging? This could easily be a great tool to encourage younger gamers to learn about how devices like these actually work.
If Welcome Tour had been included with the Switch 2, it would've been garlanded and celebrated as a pack-in classic, akin to Wii Sports and Astro's Playroom from the PS5 launch. Instead, it sits uneasily as a paid game that isn't really a "game" per se.
Despite the questionable price tag and its less-than-game-like status, I've been spinning my wheels in Welcome Tour more than I have in Mario Kart World over the past 24 hours. If you're a new Switch owner with a spare ten bones to spare, I'd say give it a whirl. It might just change your mind about that mouse mode nonsense!
Technology plays a significant role in the Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour, allowing you to experience mini-games and tech demos that highlight the device's impressive upgrades, such as the vibration engines that produce sounds like the iconic Mario coin sound.
Moreover, the game serves as a unique learning experience, providing insights into the device's design and engineering decisions, making it an engaging way for both old and new users to understand the technology behind the Switch 2.
