Nintendo Switch 2 Unveiled, Investors Overjoyed, Kamiya Unimpressed

Nintendo's Switch 2 Reveal: A Stock Surge and a Director's Ire

Nintendo's recent Switch 2 announcement sent shockwaves through the industry, boosting the company's stock price while simultaneously igniting the fury of renowned game director Hideki Kamiya. This article delves into the financial implications of the reveal and Kamiya's outspoken criticism of the leaks that preceded it.

A Positive Market Reaction

Following the Switch 2 unveiling, Nintendo experienced a surge in its share price. Serkan Toto, CEO of Kantan Games, a Japanese market consultancy, confirmed this in a January 16, 2025, VGC interview. The increased market value appears to stem from investor relief, as Toto explains: anxieties about a repeat of the Wii U's underperformance, due to over-innovation, were alleviated by the Switch 2's more iterative approach. The share price climbed to a peak of $15.77 USD, significantly higher than its 2024 average of around $13 USD. While the familiar design may not thrill all fans, its clear lineage avoids the Wii U's branding confusion.

However, Toto also acknowledged that the pre-announcement leaks significantly diminished the impact of the official reveal, stating that the surprise element was largely lost.

Minimal details were revealed in the initial announcement, with a Nintendo Direct scheduled for April 2 promising further specifications, launch titles, and pricing.

Kamiya's Outrage at Leaks

Hideki Kamiya, the acclaimed director behind titles like Resident Evil, Okami, and Bayonetta, unleashed a torrent of criticism on social media, targeting those responsible for the Switch 2 leaks. His Twitter (X) post expressed his frustration, wishing a rather colorful curse upon the leakers. He contrasted this with the positive experience of the Okami announcement, which remained a surprise. Kamiya believes the leaks served only the leakers' self-satisfaction, harming Nintendo's potential post-announcement gains.

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

The impact of such leaks extends beyond individual companies, undermining excitement and potentially creating unrealistic expectations. Nintendo has yet to publicly quantify the damage inflicted by these leaks.

The Enigmatic "C" Button

The leaks have also generated considerable speculation, particularly regarding a mysterious "C" button on the right Joy-Con. Two main theories are circulating: communication features and mouse functionality.

The "Campus" theory suggests the button enables communication features for Nintendo Switch Online subscribers, including voice chat and screen sharing.

Alternatively, some believe it provides mouse-like controls, potentially enhancing gameplay in titles like first-person shooters. The Joy-Con's apparent gliding motion in the announcement trailer has fueled this speculation.

The April 2 Nintendo Direct is anticipated to clarify these and other uncertainties surrounding the Switch 2.