Nintendo's Switch 2 Reveal Delights Shareholders, Angers Kamiya

Nintendo's Switch 2 Reveal: A Stock Surge and a Director's Ire

Nintendo's stock price soared following the Switch 2 announcement, while renowned game director Hideki Kamiya unleashed his fury on those responsible for pre-release leaks. This article delves into the financial implications and the passionate response to the leaks.

Market Reaction to the Switch 2 Unveiling

As reported by Kantan Games CEO Serkan Toto in a January 16, 2025 VGC interview, Nintendo's share price experienced a significant jump after the Switch 2 reveal. This surge, despite prior leaks, reflects investor relief. Toto noted that anxieties about a repeat of the Wii U's underperformance—attributed to over-innovation—were allayed by the Switch 2's more iterative design. The company's average share price in 2024 hovered around $13 USD, rising steadily as leaks surfaced in the latter half of the year, culminating in a peak of $15.77 USD. While the design and name may not fully satisfy all fans, its clear lineage to the original Switch mitigates the risk of a Wii U-style market failure.

However, Toto acknowledged that the leaks diminished the impact of the official announcement. He compared the reveal's reception unfavorably to the original Switch's launch in 2016, highlighting the leaks' effect on the surprise element. The announcement offered limited details, promising further information, including specifications, launch titles, and pricing, during a Nintendo Direct on April 2nd. Stay tuned for our regularly updated Switch 2 coverage!

Kamiya's Outrage Over Leaks

Hideki Kamiya, the acclaimed director behind titles such as Resident Evil, Okami, and Bayonetta, voiced his intense displeasure with the Switch 2 leaks on Twitter (X). His message was a strongly worded curse directed at those responsible for the leaks and those who aided them. His frustration stemmed from the positive experience of the surprise Okami reveal at The Game Awards, contrasting sharply with the Switch 2 situation. He criticized the leakers for their self-serving motives, arguing their actions undermined Nintendo's potential post-announcement gains.

Former Nintendo of America employees Kit Ellis and Krysta Yang corroborated Kamiya's sentiments in a YouTube video, stating that Nintendo was extremely upset by the leaks and the persistent disruption they caused in the months leading up to the announcement.

The detrimental effects of such leaks on the gaming industry are undeniable. They rob players of the excitement of discovery and can create unrealistic expectations that clash with the final product. Nintendo has yet to publicly comment on the full extent of the damage caused by the Switch 2 leaks.

The Enigmatic "C" Button

The Switch 2 leaks have generated considerable speculation, particularly surrounding a mysterious "C" button on the right Joy-Con. Two prominent theories exist: communication functionality and mouse controls.

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 proposes mouse-like functionality, transforming the right Joy-Con into a mouse, potentially benefiting first-person shooters. The way the Joy-Cons are depicted in the announcement trailer has fueled this theory.

Ultimately, the truth remains elusive until the April 2nd Nintendo Direct provides definitive answers.