Looking at the news article it seems that you didn't even know what it would cost at the time of posting. No one was complaining because it cost only $7. They were complaining because Nintendo were even charging for it in the first place.

And yes, you're correct that Nintendo can charge for it if they want: that doesn't change the fact that many believe it should be a free item because of what has happened with other consoles before.

Anyhow, there's a lot to go through here, but you shouldn't worry so much if others aren't happy with the reveal of the Switch 2. But do not use this as an opportunity to criticise other forum users or moderators. We have our own bandwidth, and if it seems like things are going south we'll jump in and take a look. If you aren't happy about some posts, you should take the time to use the report function. That's what it is there for.

Lmao.... this feels like one of those "welcome to neogaf/resetera" meme posts :p

Honestly I think Nintendo is more protected than any other group here.
At the same time, you have people go "why can't we have a nintendo safe space" ? what? What are you talking about? the other two consoles face just as much or worse, and are less protected by mods than nintendo seems to be.

^ so much this. Twintail puts it well.

Nintendo is a Greedy ass company. Just like Sony, Microsoft or any other. Stop wasting your time and energy defending a corporation.

Of course Nintendo is allowed to charge for any product they develop.

But ain't it better to offer a tutorial / an introduction explaining the hardware features for free, so that more people get these informations?

Also Sony ain't the only company offering these tutorials / introductions usually for free.

PS4: The Playroom

Steam VR Tutorial:

PSVR Tutorial: The Playroom VR:

Valve Index Tutorial: Aperture Hand Lab:

Oculus Rift S Tutorial: First Steps

PS5 Tutorial: Astro's Play Room

Steam Deck Tutorial: Aperture Desk Job

It would have been a nice gesture, if Sony had offered "Little Deviants" as a free tutorial for the PS Vita features. But that time they were also nickel-and-diming, just like Nintendo with "Nintendo Land", which would have been a great introduction of the Wii-U-features for all Wii U buyers.

You are right. Nintendo has the right to charge for a game they have developed. However, Nintendo doesn't live in its own little world. Other companies do exist, and if a company sells you a new console with a free game to showcase what the console can do, it makes Nintendo feel bad if they don't follow suit. Specially if their own showcase game looks significantly worse than the one the other company is giving you for free. Can they charge for it? Sure, but they will look like an asshole.

And I mean... I could kind of understand this stance with, say, Nintendo Land. Because memes aside, that thing was a huge game with tons of content and replay value. But they are charging like 7 fucking euros for this Switch Welcome Tour Thing. 7 euros. Like... they themselves acknowledge this is a silly game with barely any value. Just slap it on every console. Charging so little for this makes the game look cheap and it makes NINTENDO LOOK CHEAP.

I think you’re asking too many questions in the OP. If you remove the site and staff criticism (which I think you should) and focus only on the heart of the issue — the nature and extent of the negative response to Switch 2 — it’s easier to answer.

Welcome Tour should be free. It’s just a no-brainer. It would be a nice little gift to early adopters, particularly in light of the price increases across the board. And it would make the company look better next to its competition, PlayStation, which offered a much better-looking game for free with all PS5 units.

As for the criticism against Nintendo on prices in general? It’s warranted. At some point people need to quiet down and speak with their wallets, but in this early period it’s fair to be frustrated. Are there some bad actors arguing in bad faith? Sure, but most people just want to be able to afford their favorite hobby.

As for a safe space for Nintendo fans? You’re looking at it. It’s VGChartz. The majority, or at least plurality, of users here are sympathetic to Nintendo.

Another Nintendo fan than can't accept any form of criticism. Poor Nintendo, stop being mean to the company =(

Nintendo is one of the greediest companies out there, has always been, and it's once again testing how far your blind loyalty can go.

Enjoy their games, they do make good and fun games, but stop defending stuff that hurts not only you but everyone else.

It's sad but understandable if you want their games so much that you'll have to swallow it and pay up in the end, but never defend being made a fool of.

It's a tech demo for people who are unfamiliar to the hardware. It's something you try out once and never go back into it. Having to pay to learn about the hardware is just greedy

We'll have to wait and see how it plays out, but if the Switch 2's first six months are awful, those prices will come down 3DS-style in a hurry.

I don't really agree with them always being greedy. When the PS1 was $299.99, and the Saturn was $399.99, the N64 launched at $199.99. The Gamecube was $199.99 to the PS2's $299.99. The Wii was super cheap. The Wii-U was cheaper again. And let's not even get into the handhelds. Those were always cheap. Even the 3DS was cheap, although people were upset with its price.

It really hasn't been an issue until right now. Eight dollar digital games? Yeah... what the hell. lol