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 soared following the Switch 2 reveal, while 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 Announcement

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 announcement. This surge, despite prior leaks, reflects a positive market sentiment. Toto noted that the average share price in 2024 hovered around $13 USD, gradually climbing as Switch 2 leaks surfaced. However, the post-announcement peak reached $15.77 USD, the highest point of the year.

Toto attributes this increase to investor relief. Concerns of a repeat of the Wii U's underperformance, due to perceived over-innovation, were allayed by the Switch 2's more iterative design. The familiar branding, Toto suggests, helps avoid a similar marketing disaster. While some fans express dissatisfaction with the name and design, the clear lineage to the original Switch is seen as a strategic advantage.

Despite the positive market reaction, Toto acknowledges that the leaks significantly diminished the surprise element of the reveal, stating the impact was far less than the original Switch's 2016 unveiling. The announcement provided limited details, with a promised Nintendo Direct on April 2nd to clarify specifications, launch titles, and pricing.

Kamiya's Outrage Over Switch 2 Leaks

Following the announcement, renowned game director Hideki Kamiya voiced his intense frustration with the Switch 2 leaks on Twitter (X). His message was a pointed condemnation, wishing ill fortune upon those involved. He contrasted this with the positive experience of the surprise Okami reveal at The Game Awards, highlighting the leakers' actions as selfish and detrimental to Nintendo's potential post-reveal success.

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

The Enigmatic "C" Button

One point of contention among those who leaked information is the mysterious "C" button on the right Joy-Con. Two primary theories circulate: communication functionality and mouse controls.

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

The second proposes mouse-like functionality, transforming the right Joy-Con into a mouse, enhancing gameplay in titles like first-person shooters. The way the Joy-Cons are depicted in the announcement is cited as supporting evidence.

Ultimately, the true nature of the "C" button, along with other Switch 2 features, remains shrouded in mystery until the April 2nd Nintendo Direct.