Nintendo's Switch 2 Unveiling: A Stock Surge and Kamiya's Ire

Nintendo's stock soared following the Switch 2 reveal, while Hideki Kamiya unleashed a torrent of criticism on leakers. This article explores Nintendo's financial gains and Kamiya's reaction to the pre-release leaks.

A Positive Market Reaction to the Switch 2 Announcement

As reported by Kantan Games CEO Serkan Toto in a January 16, 2025 VGC interview, Nintendo's share price climbed significantly after the Switch 2 announcement. Kantan Games, a Japanese market-focused consultancy, noted the positive impact.

Despite recent leaks, the anticipation surrounding the Switch 2 boosted Nintendo's market value. While the 2024 average share price hovered around $13 USD, gradually rising with the leaks, the announcement saw a peak of $15.77 USD – the highest point of the year.

Toto attributed this increase to shareholder relief. He explained that investors feared a repeat of the Wii U's underperformance, stemming from over-innovation that missed consumer demands. The Switch 2's iterative design, similar to an iPhone upgrade, appeased these concerns. While some fans express dissatisfaction with the name and design, the clear identification as Nintendo's new console potentially avoids a Wii U-like failure.

However, Toto acknowledged that the leaks diminished the impact of the official reveal. He stated the announcement lacked the same punch as the original Switch unveiling in 2016. While the reveal offered limited details, a Nintendo Direct on April 2 promises further specifications, launch titles, and pricing. Stay updated on our regularly updated Switch 2 articles for more information.

Kamiya's Outrage at Switch 2 Leaks

Following the announcement, renowned game director Hideki Kamiya expressed his fury towards the leakers on Twitter (X). His scathing remarks reflected the frustration of a creative director whose work was prematurely revealed.

Kamiya's tweet wished a curse upon the leakers, expressing his disappointment that the surprise element was ruined, contrasting it with the successful, leak-free reveal of Okami at The Game Awards. He criticized the leakers' actions as self-serving, harming potential opportunities for Nintendo. He placed 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 Kamiya's sentiment in a pre-announcement YouTube video, highlighting Nintendo's significant displeasure with the leaks.

The negative impact of leaks on the gaming industry is undeniable, spoiling surprises and potentially creating unrealistic expectations. Nintendo has yet to quantify the damage caused by the Switch 2 leaks on engagement and sales.

The Enigmatic "C" Button

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

The "Campus" theory suggests communication features like group chat and screen sharing for Nintendo Switch Online subscribers. Alternatively, the mouse control theory proposes the right Joy-Con transforms into a mouse, improving accessibility for games like first-person shooters. The Switch 2 announcement imagery, showing the Joy-Cons sliding, fuels this speculation.

However, concrete details remain elusive until the April 2 Nintendo Direct. Until then, speculation continues.