Nintendo Finally Reveals Developer Behind Switch 2 Launch Title Welcome Tour — The Mini-Game Collection Fans Say Should Have Been Free

Nintendo has finally confirmed the developer behind Welcome Tour, the Switch 2 launch title that doubles as an interactive instruction manual for the new console—a game many fans argue should have been included for free.

While Welcome Tour doesn’t reveal its creators within the game itself, Nintendo Cube (formerly NDCube), the Tokyo-based Nintendo subsidiary, has updated its website to confirm it developed the title.

Founded in 2000, Nintendo Cube is known for handling Nintendo’s various mini-game collections. The studio created Wii Party (often compared less favorably to Wii Play), and the much-criticized Animal Crossing: Amiibo Festival for Wii U. More recently, Nintendo Cube released Clubhouse Games: 51 Worldwide Classics on the original Switch and followed it with the poorly received Everybody 1-2 Switch. IGN notably rated Everybody 1-2 Switch a 4/10, commenting, “Everybody 1-2 Switch might be the first party game I’ve played where I ended up with fewer friends afterward.”

However, Nintendo Cube is best known as the main developer behind the Mario Party series since 2012’s Mario Party 9, continuing through Mario Party 10, Mario Party Star Rush, Mario Party: The Top 100, Super Mario Party, and Mario Party Superstars.

Looking ahead, Nintendo Cube is gearing up to release Super Mario Party Jamboree: Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Jamboree TV—an update designed to take advantage of the Switch 2’s mouse controls and optional camera peripheral, slated for July 24.

Despite its budget price, Welcome Tour faced criticism for its heavy reliance on mouse-controlled mini-games and the requirement of several accessories—a camera peripheral, a Switch 2 Charging Grip or Pro Controller, and a 4K TV—to fully experience and complete the game with gold medals.

As IGN wrote in their review of Welcome Tour:

“Even if Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour were the pack-in game it feels like it was meant to be, the execution of its charming concept is a muddled collection of quaint tech demos and boring factoids dressed up as an uncompelling completionist checklist.”