Nintendo's stock soared following the Switch 2 announcement, while Hideki Kamiya unleashed a torrent of criticism on those responsible for leaks. This article delves into Nintendo's financial gains and Kamiya's fiery response.
Nintendo's Switch 2 Announcement: A Ripple Effect
A Happy Investor Base
As reported by Kantan Games CEO Serkan Toto in a January 16, 2025 VGC interview, Nintendo's share price surged after the Switch 2 reveal. Kantan Games, a leading Japanese market game industry consultancy, noted the positive impact.
Despite pre-release leaks, the Switch 2 generated significant excitement, boosting Nintendo's market value. In 2024, the average share price hovered around $13 USD, gradually climbing as leaks surfaced. However, the post-announcement peak reached $15.77 USD—a new high for the year.
Toto attributed this increase to investor relief. He explained, "Investors feared a repeat of the Wii U's underperformance, where Nintendo's experimentation alienated consumers." He continued, "The Switch 2 announcement signaled a more iterative, iPhone-like approach—precisely what investors desired." While some fans voiced concerns about the console's name and design, the familiar branding should help avoid a Wii U-like market failure.
While positive, Toto acknowledged the leaks diminished the impact. "The leaks significantly reduced the surprise element," he stated. "The announcement's impact pales in comparison to the original Switch reveal in 2016." The announcement offered limited details; a planned April 2nd Nintendo Direct promises further specifics on specs, launch titles, and pricing. Stay tuned for our regularly updated Switch 2 articles for the latest news.
Kamiya's Wrath
Following the announcement, renowned game director Hideki Kamiya (Resident Evil, Okami, Bayonetta) unleashed a scathing social media tirade against the leakers. On Twitter (X), he posted: "To those who leaked Switch 2 info/were complicit, may you forever find poop on your shoe soles!"
This outburst stemmed from the successful surprise reveal of Okami at The Game Awards last year. He lamented, "The joy of Ōkami's surprise announcement...now tainted by these leakers. May they all be cursed!"
Kamiya argued the leaks served only "personal pleasure and self-satisfaction," harming Nintendo's post-announcement opportunities. He placed the blame squarely on those with privileged access who chose to release sensitive information.
Former Nintendo of America employees, Kit Ellis and Krysta Yang, corroborated this sentiment in a pre-announcement YouTube video. Yang stated, "Nintendo has been bombarded with leaks for months. They are extremely upset."
Console leaks negatively impact the industry, spoiling surprises and potentially creating unrealistic expectations. Nintendo has yet to publicly address the full extent of the damage caused by the Switch 2 leaks.
The Enigmatic "C" Button
One point of contention among leakers is the mysterious "C" button on the right Joy-Con. Two leading theories circulate: communication features and mouse control.
The first suggests the "C" button (codenamed "Campus") offers enhanced communication features for Nintendo Switch Online subscribers, including group chat, voice chat, and screen sharing.
The second theory posits mouse-like functionality, transforming the right Joy-Con into a mouse, particularly beneficial for first-person shooters. Proponents point to the Joy-Con's apparent gliding motion in the announcement trailer as supporting evidence.
Ultimately, only Nintendo's April 2nd Direct will provide definitive answers. Until then, speculation continues around Nintendo's newest hybrid console.
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