Nintendo's Switch 2 Reveal Delights Shareholders, Angers Kamiya

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 comments.

Nintendo's Switch 2 Announcement Makes Waves

Happy Shareholders, Higher Stock Prices

A VGC interview with Kantan Games CEO Serkan Toto on January 16, 2025, revealed a surge in Nintendo's share price after the Switch 2 reveal. Kantan Games, a Japanese market-focused consultancy, highlighted the positive investor reaction.

Despite pre-announcement leaks, the Switch 2 hype boosted Nintendo's market value. While 2024 saw an average share price around $13 USD, gradually rising with the leaks, the announcement pushed it to a peak of $15.77 USD—the highest point of the year.

Toto attributed this increase to investor relief. He explained that fears of a repeat of the Wii U's underperformance, due to overly experimental design, had been allayed by the Switch 2's more iterative approach. The familiar design, while potentially unpopular with some fans, ensures easy identification as Nintendo's new console, avoiding a Wii U-style disaster.

However, Toto acknowledged that the leaks diminished the impact of the official reveal. He noted the announcement lacked the punch of the original Switch's 2016 unveiling. While the reveal offered limited details, a Nintendo Direct on April 2 promises to unveil specs, launch titles, and pricing. Stay tuned for updates on our regularly updated Switch 2 article!

Hideki Kamiya's Outrage at Leaks

Following the announcement, renowned game director Hideki Kamiya expressed his anger towards the Switch 2 leakers on Twitter (X). His message was a colorful curse directed at those responsible for the leaks and those who aided them.

This frustration stemmed from the positive experience of the surprise Okami reveal at last year's Game Awards. He contrasted that successful surprise with the damage caused by the leaks, blaming them for diminishing the impact of the Switch 2 announcement and impacting potential opportunities for Nintendo.

Former Nintendo of America employees Kit Ellis and Krysta Yang corroborated this sentiment in a pre-announcement YouTube video, stating Nintendo's extreme displeasure with the leaks.

Console leaks negatively impact the industry, spoiling surprises and potentially creating unrealistic expectations. While Nintendo hasn't publicly addressed the damage caused by these leaks, their impact on engagement and future sales remains a concern.

The Mysterious "C" Button

One point of contention among leakers is the mysterious "C" button on the right Joy-Con. Two main theories circulate: communication features and mouse functionality.

The first suggests the button, codenamed "Campus," provides communication features for Nintendo Switch Online subscribers, including group chat, voice chat, and screen sharing.

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

Ultimately, the April 2 Nintendo Direct will shed light on the "C" button's true function and other Switch 2 features.