Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour: Should This Tech Demo Be Free?

The Nintendo Switch 2 is undeniably one of the most exciting console launches of recent years, but one title announced alongside it, Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour, had the same question popping up in the live chat of the Nintendo Direct: Nintendo Switch 2. That question was "Paid?". This game, essentially a tech demo showcasing the console's new features, comes with a price tag—rather than being included for free. With that question being asked, this raises my question: Should a tech demo like this cost anything, especially with the name, Nintendo Switch 2: Welcome Tour? To me, it just feels wrong.

Why a Free Welcome Tour Makes Sense

Tech demos are often used to show off the innovative features of a console, giving players a taste of what the hardware can do. A free demo like Wii Sports did wonders for the Wii, driving engagement and familiarity with the system. The Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour is designed to highlight upgrades like mouse controls, improved motion controls in combination with the gyroscope, HD rumble 2, and more. But if its primary function is to introduce players to the console’s new capabilities, charging for it feels counterintuitive—almost like paying for a commercial.

The Nintendo Switch 2 should sell like hotcakes, so bundling the Welcome Tour for free wouldn’t harm sales. In fact, it could strengthen the connection between the console and its loyal fanbase. As it stands, charging for the demo leaves a bad taste in my mouth; it feels like a missed opportunity for Nintendo to foster goodwill with gamers beyond what feels like a cashgrab.

Is It Worth the Money?

If Nintendo insists on selling the Welcome Tour, it had better deliver more than just a tech demo with mini games to play here and there. To justify a mid-range or AAA price, it needs to go beyond showcasing features and offer a genuinely captivating gameplay experience.

The reality is, there are bigger games on the horizon—Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, Mario Kart World, Donkey Kong Bananza,  The Duskbloods, and Borderlands 4 to name a few. These are blockbuster titles that gamers will gladly invest in. Spending hard-earned money on a tech demo feels like a misstep unless it’s a super affordable download or offers substantial content. It has to be one of the two, but if it's both I would have zero objections.

So, we return to the central question: Should the Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour be free? I think so. It wouldn’t stop console sales, but it would be a wonderful introduction. Since it's being sold, it needs to earn its spot in the library. Anyway, would you pay for the Welcome Tour or should it be bundled as part of the $449.99 console kickoff?

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Howard the Duck: Sleuth Series - The Comeback We Didn’t Know We Needed

Alright, hear me out on why... Howard the Duck deserves a full-on comeback, and not just in some blink-and-you’ll-miss-it cameo in Guardians of the Galaxy or a What If...? episode. No, I’m talking about a full-blown, mind-bending, noir-style detective series where Howard isn’t just a punchline... he’s the feathered Sherlock Holmes we never knew we needed.

Now, I get it. Some of you might only know Howard from that infamously weird 1986 movie (yeah… that one), but trust me... he has some serious potential. Imagine a gritty, yet hilarious detective show where Howard navigates the bizarre corners of the Marvel Universe, solving crimes too weird for even Doctor Strange to bother with. It can either be live action or CGI. Give it some True Detective energy, but with talking ducks, interdimensional conspiracies, and the kind of sharp, sarcastic humor that keeps you hooked. It's different enough to not feel like a carbon copy of another series'.

 Here’s why this could work: 

For the mystery lovers – If you’re into detective stories that actually make you think (Sherlock, Knives Out, Cased Closed, The Batman), a well-written Howard series could deliver those same who-done-it thrills with a Marvel twist. If cases cover multiple episodes, with a massive case for each season... it would keep us hungry for more. It doesn't have to be along running series until it ceases to make sense, unless they're able to make it make sense. I believe it's possible to keep the party going, but it makes more sense to wrap it up before it loses steam.

For the comedy fans – Howard’s humor is dry, sarcastic, and perfectly self-aware. A show that leans into the absurdity of a talking duck detective without making it ridiculous could be comedy gold, but... they have avoid the risk of lame from creeping in. This would really increase the interests of the show, especially with a solid hosts of writers and cast members that can set it off.

For the Marvel diehards – He’s already been teased in the MCU. Imagine the crazy Marvel characters he could cross paths with... maybe even running into Blade, Moon Knight or Jessica Jones on a case? He can go anywhere, let someone else be his cameo for a change.

For anyone who loves something different – We’ve had superheroes, time travel, and multiverses... why not a noir-style, intergalactic detective story starring a cynical duck with a knack for solving the impossible? He can take cases throughout the galaxy and beyond, but... he can return home after cases to keep things grounded.

It’s time for Marvel to stop... ducking around and give Howard his moment. This isn’t just nostalgia bait... it could be a coool opportunity to bring something fresh, clever, and genuinely unique into the MCU lineup on Disney+. Whether you’re a longtime Howard fan or just looking for something different from the usual superhero formula, this is a series that could quack—I mean, crack—the case wide open.

 + Sophi 

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China isn't playing this week! Top 10... Let's go!

1. US USA

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7. DE Germany

8. FR France

9. PH Philippines

10. CA Canada

 

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Best Nintendo Switch Games For Family Fun: Marvel Cosmic Invasion

During the March 27, 2025, episode of Nintendo Direct, fans got an exciting look at Marvel Cosmic Invasion, a 2D multiplayer beat 'em up that brings some of Marvel’s most iconic heroes together for action-packed gameplay. This upcoming title looks like a throwback to classic arcade games, and its four-player co-op mode makes it perfect for teaming up with family or friends. So if you're looking for another title to add to your family game night library... this is totally worth considering.

Could you imagine if they made a 4 player fight stick for this game? Trust me, if it were me... I would have a limited edition that includes a bad ass fight stick able to be used on multiple consoles + PC. Maybe 2,000 units to really drum up the nostalgia with this new beat 'em up! You know what... I'm going to run it by the Devs.

From what we’ve seen so far, Marvel Cosmic Invasion has a vibrant, comic book-inspired art style, fast-paced combat, and a variety of enemies to take down. The gameplay feels like it was pulled straight from the golden era of arcade brawlers, similar to classics like Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Turtles in Time and X-Men: The Arcade Game. Expect button-mashing combos, special moves, and chaotic battles against waves of enemies. I even think I saw some juggling moves by way of the cosmic swap system.

While they haven’t confirmed the full roster yet, we can expect to play as 15 of our favorite Marvel superheroes. The game will likely feature plenty of iconic villains, intense boss fights, and interactive levels, adding to the overall fun and nostalgia. The main villain in MCI is Annihilus.

One of the most exciting features is its four-player co-op, which makes it easy to jump in and play with others. If you enjoy cooperative brawlers, this game looks like it will be a perfect addition to the Nintendo Switch library, offering the kind of fun that continues to build the family bond. It also gives your family time to fun it up together, and... use teamwork.

While the exact price hasn’t been announced, Marvel Cosmic Invasion is set to launch in Holiday 2025... and could possible have a similar price to 2022's TMNT: Shredder's Revenge. So Switch owners have plenty of time to get ready for some action-packed, arcade-style fun.

If you're a fan of classic beat 'em ups, Marvel superheroes, or multiplayer games, this is definitely one to keep an eye on. If you don't have a Switch, it's headed to Playstation, Xbox and PC!

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Assassin's Creed Shadows: The Second Coming of Tenchu? Check it out!

Ubisoft's latest release, Assassin's Creed Shadows, marks a fresh yet nostalgic chapter in the long-running Assassin's Creed series. Shadows stands apart from its predecessors by diving deep into the covert artistry of feudal Japanese assassins, an era beloved by fans but never fully explored in this franchise... until now. But for gamers like myself... who grew up with stealth-action classics like Tenchu, Shadows feels eerily familiar in the best way possible.

Tenchu, a series that graced consoles decades ago, is remembered as the blueprint for stealth games set in Japan. It was a franchise where shadows were your allies and silence your weapon. Players infiltrated fortresses, crept across rooftops, and eliminated targets with graceful precision... all while avoiding detection. Fans of Tenchu have long yearned for its revival, and while Shadows isn’t a direct continuation, it feels like spiritual successor territory.

One thing that still cracks me up to this day... is the fact that targets would just go eat the poisoned onigiri/rice balls that you'd throw on the ground. There's a random meal sitting in the dirt, and they wander over like, "Oh great, dinner has arrived."

Anyway, Ubisoft has successfully captured Tenchu-like elegance within the expansive Assassin's Creed framework. With features such as grappling hooks, traditional Japanese weaponry like shurikens and kunai, and terrain that challenges your agility, it seems to pay homage to the classic Tenchu mechanics while modernizing them. The thrill of sneaking past patrolling samurai and infiltrating dimly lit castles will certainly ignite nostalgia for those who played Tenchu back in the day. That's coming from a Tenchu VET.

Of course, Ubisoft didn’t strip away the Assassin's Creed soul to make Shadows. Instead, it evolved the series’ signature elements to complement Japanese aesthetics. Parkour remains fluid but is adapted to steep temple roofs and bamboo forests. The immersive storytelling, filled with conspiracies and historical intrigue, intertwines perfectly with the code of the ninja. It’s a marriage of two worlds... Tenchu’s stealth and Assassin’s Creed’s vast, open-world adventure.

Additionally, Shadows dives deeper into the morality of being an assassin. Like Tenchu’s moral undertones of protecting innocents while dismantling corruption, Shadows incorporates Japanese honor and the balance between justice and vengeance. It's a thoughtful approach that fleshes out its protagonists as more than just killers.

For longtime Tenchu fans, Assassin’s Creed Shadows is a bittersweet experience. It evokes fond memories of a bygone franchise while paving the way for something fresh, although I'd support a new Tenchu entry in a... heartbeat. Ubisoft has masterfully blended nostalgia with innovation, delivering a stealth game that feels timeless yet modern. If Tenchu was the Jonin of Japanese stealth gaming, Shadows may well be a Genin carrying on its legacy.

So, as players don their hoods and embrace the shadows, one thing is certain... Ubisoft has crafted not just a game, but a title that feels like an homage to the art of stealth. Assassin's Creed Shadows reminds me of why I fell in love with sneaking through feudal Japan all those years ago.

In addition to the stealth action of Assassin's Creed Shadows, you also experience the intense, up-close combat of the blade-wielding real-life legend, Yasuke. This combination adds the perfect variety to the gameplay. And if you check out the map once you venture out and you spot pictures by "Baby Fury," that's me! That said, snap some cool pictures, get creative, and add to the fun! By the way, Assassin's Creed Shadows has achieved overwhelming success right out of the gate, and I’m excited to dive even deeper into the action to take on... The Shinbakufu. Anyway, if you get your hands on the game, stay on alert... and game on! (POOF!) [Vanished leaving behind a bag of gummies]

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