Ex-Nintendo PR Managers Furious Over Switch 2 Leaks

The recent leaks surrounding the Nintendo Switch 2 have sparked significant discussion, particularly from former Nintendo of America staff members Kit Ellis and Krysta Yang. In a video on their YouTube channel, they delved into the turmoil these leaks have likely caused within Nintendo. Based on their extensive experience working over a decade at the company, they highlighted the profound disruption and the impact on Nintendo's ability to surprise its fans with the next-gen console.

The leaks have included details such as the alleged reveal date, games expected to launch on the Switch 2, and mockups of the device itself. Additionally, images of the console's motherboard and Joy-Con have surfaced online, stirring further speculation among fans. Nintendo has labeled these mockups and images as "unofficial," but the damage has been done.

Krysta Yang emphasized the severity of the situation within Nintendo, suggesting that the company is experiencing intense frustration. "I am 100% sure that they are really mad, to the most severe level," she stated, humorously referring to the "hot exclamation mark emails" that signify the company's upset. The pair discussed how these leaks are creating a highly stressful and chaotic environment for Nintendo's staff, who are now juggling leak investigations alongside their regular duties.

Kit Ellis reassured that Nintendo has competent investigators who will eventually uncover the source of the leaks. However, the immediate impact is a significant distraction for the team, particularly as they prepare for the Switch 2's official reveal.

Genki Nintendo Switch Mockup Images from CES 2025

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Yang pointed out that the leaks might undermine Nintendo's ability to surprise its fans, with Ellis adding that this will affect the perception of the official announcement. Both firmly dismissed the speculation that Nintendo might be behind the leaks, with Ellis describing the company's emphasis on the "value of surprise" and the mandatory lectures on this topic.

The leaks pose a significant challenge to Nintendo's plans for announcing and launching the new console. Ellis suggested that Nintendo will likely reassess its product security measures, especially since it has not launched hardware of this scale since the original Switch in March 2017.

While Nintendo has yet to officially reveal the Switch 2, it has confirmed that the console will be backward-compatible with original Switch games and will feature Nintendo Switch Online. An official announcement is expected in the first quarter of this year, but the console is not anticipated to launch within Nintendo's current financial year, setting the earliest possible release date for April 2025.