Nintendo's stock soared following the Switch 2 announcement, while Hideki Kamiya unleashed a torrent of fury upon those responsible for the leaks. This article delves into Nintendo's financial gains and Kamiya's scathing response.
Nintendo's Switch 2 Announcement Creates Waves
Shareholders Rejoice
A January 16, 2025, VGC interview with Serkan Toto, CEO of Kantan Games (a Japanese market-focused game industry consultancy), revealed a surge in Nintendo's share price post-announcement. Despite pre-release leaks, the Switch 2 hype significantly boosted Nintendo's market value. While 2024 saw an average share price around $13 USD, gradually climbing with the leaks, the price peaked at $15.77 USD—a record high for the year.
Toto attributes this increase to shareholder relief. He explained that investors feared a repeat of the Wii U's underperformance, fearing excessive innovation at the expense of consumer demand. The Switch 2's iterative approach, mirroring an "iPhone-like" strategy, appeased these concerns. While some fans express dissatisfaction with the name and design, its clear identity as a Nintendo console avoids the Wii U's pitfalls.
However, Toto acknowledges the leaks diminished the announcement's impact. He stated the trailer lacked the punch of the original Switch reveal in 2016, largely due to the pre-release information circulating online. The announcement offered limited details; a dedicated Nintendo Direct on April 2nd promises further specifications, launch titles, and pricing. Stay tuned for our regularly updated Switch 2 article for the latest news.
Hideki Kamiya's Outrage at Leaks
Following the announcement, renowned game director Hideki Kamiya voiced his extreme displeasure with the Switch 2 leaks on Twitter (X). His message was a scathing condemnation, wishing a particularly unpleasant fate upon those involved.
His frustration stems from the joy he experienced during the surprise Okami reveal at The Game Awards, a stark contrast to the Switch 2 leak. He emphasized the leakers' actions as self-serving, negatively impacting Nintendo's potential post-announcement gains. He directly blamed the leakers for their actions, highlighting their privileged access to information.
Former Nintendo of America employees, Kit Ellis and Krysta Yang, corroborated this sentiment in a pre-announcement YouTube video, confirming Nintendo's extreme displeasure with the leaks.
Console leaks damage the gaming industry, diminishing excitement and potentially misaligning expectations with the final product. Nintendo has yet to publicly quantify the impact of these leaks on engagement and sales.
The Enigmatic "C" Button
The Switch 2 leaks have been inconsistent, particularly regarding a mysterious "C" button on the right Joy-Con. Two primary theories circulate: communication features and mouse controls.
One theory suggests the "C" button (codenamed "Campus") facilitates communication, providing voice and group chat for Nintendo Switch Online subscribers, along with screen-sharing capabilities.
Alternatively, the button could enable mouse-like functionality, transforming the right Joy-Con into a mouse for enhanced control in games like first-person shooters. The Switch 2 announcement's visuals, showing the Joy-Cons sliding on a surface, are cited as supporting evidence.
Ultimately, the April 2nd Nintendo Direct will clarify these and other uncertainties surrounding Nintendo's latest hybrid console.
