Nintendo's stock soared following the Switch 2 announcement, while Hideki Kamiya unleashed his fury on those responsible for the leaks. Let's delve into Nintendo's financial triumph and Kamiya's scathing response.
Nintendo's Switch 2 Announcement Makes Waves
Shareholders Rejoice Over Switch 2 Reveal
Following the Switch 2 unveiling, Nintendo's share price climbed, as reported in a January 16, 2025, VGC interview with Serkan Toto, CEO of Kantan Games, an independent games industry consultancy specializing in the Japanese market. Despite the pre-announcement leaks, the Switch 2 hype significantly boosted Nintendo's market value. In 2024, the average share price hovered around $13 USD, gradually rising as leaks proliferated online. However, the post-announcement peak reached $15.77 USD, a new high for the year.
Toto attributes this surge to shareholder relief. "Investors feared a repeat of the Wii U's fate—an overly experimental console that missed market demands," Toto explained. "The Switch 2 announcement offered a reassuringly iterative approach, much like an iPhone update, which is precisely what investors desired." While some fans express reservations about the Switch 2's name and design, its straightforward branding avoids the Wii U's branding pitfalls.
Despite the positive market reaction, Toto acknowledges the leaks diminished the reveal's impact. "The leaks significantly reduced the surprise element," he admitted. "Even without the leaks, the announcement lacked the punch of the original Switch reveal in 2016."
The announcement provided limited details; a dedicated Nintendo Direct on April 2 promises to reveal specifications, launch titles, and pricing. Stay tuned for our regularly updated Switch 2 articles for the latest information.
Hideki Kamiya's Outrage at Switch 2 Leaks
Following the announcement, renowned game director Hideki Kamiya (Resident Evil, Okami, Bayonetta) voiced his anger towards the leakers on Twitter (X). His message was blunt: "To those who leaked Switch 2 information and their accomplices, I hope you're cursed to forever find poop on your shoes!"
His frustration stems from the joy he experienced during Okami's surprise reveal at The Game Awards, a moment unspoiled by leaks. "Having shared the surprise of Ōkami's announcement with fans, I feel this anger intensely. May all leakers be cursed!" he declared.
Kamiya criticizes the leakers' actions as self-serving, negatively impacting Nintendo's potential post-announcement opportunities. He places the blame squarely on those who possessed the information and chose to leak it.
Former Nintendo of America employees Kit Ellis and Krysta Yang corroborated this sentiment in a YouTube video two days before the announcement. Yang stated, "Nintendo has been dealing with these leaks daily for months, and they are extremely upset."
Video game and console leaks harm the industry by spoiling the excitement and potentially creating unrealistic expectations. Nintendo has yet to publicly address the damage caused by the Switch 2 leaks.
The Enigmatic "C" Button
One point of contention among those discussing the leaks is the mysterious "C" button on the right Joy-Con. Two leading theories prevail: communication functionality and mouse controls.
The first suggests the "C" button (codenamed "Campus") enables group and voice chat for Nintendo Switch Online subscribers, along with screen sharing capabilities.
The second proposes mouse-like functionality, transforming the right Joy-Con into a mouse, particularly beneficial for first-person shooters. Proponents cite the Switch 2 announcement trailer, showing the Joy-Cons sliding across a surface, as implicit confirmation.
Ultimately, Nintendo's April 2 Direct will shed light on the Switch 2's specifications and features, resolving these and other lingering questions.
