Nintendo's Switch 2 Reveal Delights Shareholders, Angers Kamiya

Nintendo's stock soared following the Switch 2 announcement, while Hideki Kamiya unleashed his fury on those responsible for the leaks. Let's delve into Nintendo's financial triumph and Kamiya's fiery response.

Nintendo's Switch 2 Announcement Makes Waves

Happy Shareholders, Thanks to the Switch 2 Reveal

Following the Switch 2 reveal, Nintendo's share price jumped, as reported by Kantan Games CEO Serkan Toto in a January 16, 2025, VGC interview. Kantan Games, a Japanese market-focused consultancy, noted the positive market reaction.

Despite pre-announcement leaks, the Switch 2 hype boosted Nintendo's value. In 2024, the average share price hovered around $13 USD, gradually climbing as leaks surfaced. However, the post-announcement peak reached $15.77 USD—a record high for the year.

Toto attributes this surge to investor relief. He explains that investors feared a repeat of the Wii U's underperformance, worrying about excessive innovation at the expense of consumer demand. The Switch 2 announcement, with its iterative approach, eased these concerns. Toto stated, "Investors were hoping for a more iPhone-like, iterative approach – and Nintendo certainly delivered from that perspective." While some fans aren't thrilled with the name or design, its clear identity as a successor to the Switch avoids the Wii U's marketing pitfalls.

Despite the positive market response, Toto acknowledges the leaks diminished the impact of the reveal, saying, "the leaks over the last days really killed the surprise...But even without the leaks, I would say the punch this trailer has does not even come close to the one introducing the original Switch back in 2016."

The announcement offered limited details; a dedicated Direct on April 2 promises to unveil specs, launch titles, and pricing. Stay tuned for more updates on our regularly updated Switch 2 article!

Hideki Kamiya's Outrage at Switch 2 Leaks

Following the announcement, renowned game director Hideki Kamiya unleashed a torrent of social media fury aimed at the leakers. Known for his sharp wit on Twitter (X), Kamiya's message was blunt: "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 his positive experience revealing Okami at The Game Awards, an event unspoiled by leaks. He lamented, "Especially since we were able to enjoy the surprise announcement from Ōkami together with all the users, I truly feel this way... May all the damn leakers be cursed, one and all."

Kamiya believes the leaks served only "own pleasure and self-satisfaction," undermining potential benefits from a surprise reveal. He placed the blame squarely on those who had access to the information and chose to disclose it.

Former Nintendo of America employees, Kit Ellis and Krysta Yang, corroborated Kamiya's sentiment in a pre-announcement YouTube video. Yang stated, "Nintendo’s been disrupted daily, for months, with these leaks, and I’m 100 percent sure they are really mad, to the most severe level... they are very, very, very, upset by this."

Leaks significantly harm the industry, dampening excitement and potentially creating unrealistic expectations. While Nintendo hasn't publicly quantified the damage, the impact on engagement and sales is undeniable.

The Enigmatic "C" Button: Rumors Abound

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

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

The second theory 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 trailer lends some credence to this idea.

Until the April 2 Direct, these remain speculations. Fans eagerly await confirmation regarding the "C" button and other Switch 2 features.