Nintendo's Switch 2 Reveal Delights Shareholders, Angers Kamiya

Nintendo's Switch 2 Unveiling: 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 Nintendo's financial triumph and Kamiya's scathing response.

A Positive Market Reaction to the Switch 2 Reveal

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. The company's average share price in 2024 hovered around $13 USD, gradually climbing as Switch 2 leaks surfaced online. However, the announcement propelled the price to a peak of $15.77 USD, exceeding any point in the previous year.

Toto attributes this surge to investor relief, stemming from fears of a repeat of the Wii U's underperformance. The Switch 2's iterative design, reminiscent of an iPhone upgrade, appeased investors seeking a less experimental approach. While some fans expressed reservations about the console's name and design, its clear identification as Nintendo's new console is seen as crucial in avoiding a Wii U-like failure.

Despite the positive market response, Toto acknowledges that the pre-release leaks diminished the impact of the official announcement. He notes that the reveal lacked the same punch as the original Switch's 2016 unveiling. The announcement provided limited details, promising a more comprehensive reveal during a Nintendo Direct on April 2nd. This future event will likely detail specifications, launch titles, and pricing. Stay updated on our regularly updated Switch 2 articles for the latest information.

Kamiya's Outrage Over Switch 2 Leaks

Following the announcement, Hideki Kamiya, the acclaimed director behind titles like Resident Evil, Okami, and Bayonetta, voiced his intense frustration with the Switch 2 leaks on Twitter (X). He issued a strongly worded curse upon those responsible, contrasting the situation with the successful surprise reveal of Okami at The Game Awards. Kamiya emphasizes that the leaks serve only the leakers' self-gratification, harming Nintendo's potential post-announcement opportunities.

Former Nintendo of America employees Kit Ellis and Krysta Yang corroborated Kamiya's sentiments in a YouTube video, confirming Nintendo's extreme displeasure with the leaks and their disruptive impact. The negative effects of leaks on player anticipation and potential sales remain a significant concern for the gaming industry, though Nintendo's official response is still pending.

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 have emerged: communication features and mouse functionality. One suggests a "Campus" function enabling group chat and screen sharing for Nintendo Switch Online subscribers. The other proposes mouse-like controls, potentially transforming the Joy-Con into a mouse for enhanced gameplay in titles like first-person shooters. The official specifications remain under wraps until the April 2nd Nintendo Direct.