Nintendo's Switch 2 Announcement: Jubilation and Frustration

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 towards those responsible for pre-release leaks. This article delves into Nintendo's financial gains and Kamiya's fiery response.

A Positive Market Reaction to the Switch 2

As reported by Kantan Games CEO Serkan Toto in a January 16, 2025 VGC interview, Nintendo's share price climbed after the Switch 2 announcement. This surge, despite prior leaks, significantly boosted the company's market valuation. In 2024, Nintendo's average share price hovered around $13 USD, gradually rising as Switch 2 leaks proliferated online. However, the post-announcement peak reached $15.77 USD, exceeding any point in the previous year.

Toto attributes this increase to shareholder relief, fearing a repeat of the Wii U's underperformance. Investors, he explains, preferred an iterative, iPhone-like approach – a strategy Nintendo seemingly adopted with the Switch 2. While some fans express reservations about the console's name and design, its clear lineage avoids the Wii U's branding pitfalls.

Despite the positive market response, Toto acknowledges the leaks diminished the announcement's impact, stating the reveal lacked the punch of the original Switch's 2016 unveiling. The announcement offered limited details; a Nintendo Direct on April 2 promises further specifications, launch titles, and pricing. Stay tuned for our regularly updated Switch 2 articles!

Kamiya's Outrage Over Leaks

Following the official reveal, renowned game director Hideki Kamiya voiced his fury towards the Switch 2 leakers on Twitter (X). His message was pointed and memorable: "To those who leaked information about Switch 2 / those who were complicit in the leaks, I hope you'll all be cursed to always come home to find poop stuck to the soles of your shoes for the rest of your lives."

This outburst stemmed from the joy he experienced unveiling Okami at The Game Awards without prior leaks. He believes the leaks serve only "own pleasure and self-satisfaction," harming Nintendo's post-announcement opportunities. He directly blames the leakers for their actions.

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

The Enigmatic "C" Button

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

The "Campus" theory suggests communication-related functions for Nintendo Switch Online subscribers, including group chat, voice chat, and screen sharing.

Alternatively, the mouse control theory proposes the button transforms the right Joy-Con into a mouse, enhancing gameplay in titles like first-person shooters. The Switch 2's announcement imagery, showing the Joy-Cons sliding on a surface, fuels this speculation.

Ultimately, the April 2 Nintendo Direct will clarify these uncertainties and provide comprehensive details about Nintendo's latest hybrid console.