I may be immersed in the world of PC Gamer, yet my heart still beats for the Nintendo Switch. This week’s Nintendo Switch 2 Direct captured my attention, particularly with a certain feature that sparked quite the conversation: Welcome Tour. Initially anticipated as a complimentary experience, it turns out this offering comes with a price tag of 990 yen, approximately or £5. However, there’s speculation that the final cost might edge higher. While I refer to it as a glorified tech demo, some might argue that “digital manual” is a more fitting description, as aptly noted by Jeremy Laird and many others.
Aperture Desk Job serves as Valve’s response to Sony’s Astro’s Playroom—a free tech demo that was so well-received it inspired a full game. This trend harkens back to Nintendo’s legacy of pack-in titles that showcased console innovations, such as the iconic Wii Sports. Aperture Desk Job seamlessly integrates the Steam Deck’s capabilities with the humor and charm of the Portal universe. It cleverly instructs users on features like taking screenshots and utilizing gyro controls while weaving a narrative filled with quirky elements like bullet toilets and loan sharks.
Weaponized toilets
The experience is brief, taking about half an hour to complete, yet it effectively demonstrates the Steam Deck’s functionalities without the burden of a tedious manual. It strikes a delightful balance between whimsy and practicality, ensuring that users find it both enjoyable and useful. This formula is a testament to the power of brand recognition, leveraging beloved franchises to showcase new technology in engaging ways. Aperture Desk Job certainly succeeded in sparking conversations among players.
Online discussions reveal that many players recommend Aperture Desk Job as both an entertaining and educational experience. Reviews highlight its humor, engaging gameplay, and clever callbacks to the Portal series. In contrast, Nintendo’s Welcome Tour feels like a missed opportunity, presenting generic figures in a bland environment rather than leveraging its rich catalog of beloved characters and worlds. The disparity is striking; while Nintendo has laid the groundwork for captivating experiences, it seems to have strayed from its own blueprint with this latest offering.
As we anticipate the Nintendo Switch 2, it’s unlikely that the new console will require extensive tutorials to navigate its features. However, one can’t help but wish that Nintendo would harness its creative potential to deliver an experience that resonates with players on the same level as its past successes. The gaming community eagerly awaits a return to form, where innovation and nostalgia intertwine seamlessly.
