Nintendo Switch 2 Unveiled: Stock Soars, Kamiya Displeased

Nintendo's stock soared following the Switch 2 announcement, while Hideki Kamiya unleashed a torrent of frustration at the leaks. Let's delve into Nintendo's financial success and Kamiya's fiery response.

Nintendo's Switch 2 Announcement Makes Waves

Happy Shareholders, Rising Stock

A January 16, 2025, VGC interview with Serkan Toto, CEO of Kantan Games (a Japanese market-focused game industry consultancy), revealed a significant boost in Nintendo's share price after the Switch 2 reveal. Averaging around $13 USD in 2024, the price steadily climbed as Switch 2 leaks proliferated online, peaking at $15.77 USD—a record high for the year.

Toto attributes this surge to investor relief. Concerns about a repeat of the Wii U's underperformance—a fear of experimental, user-unfriendly innovation—were assuaged by the Switch 2's seemingly iterative design. Investors, Toto explains, favored an "iPhone-like" approach, and Nintendo delivered. While some fans may dislike the name or design, its clear identity as a Nintendo successor avoids the Wii U's branding pitfalls.

Despite the positive market reaction, Toto acknowledges the leaks diminished the announcement's impact. He notes that the reveal lacked the punch of the original Switch's 2016 unveiling, largely due to the pre-release information circulating online. While the announcement offered limited details, a Nintendo Direct on April 2 promises to reveal specs, launch titles, and pricing. Stay tuned for further updates on this exciting hybrid console!

Hideki Kamiya's Fury at Leaked Information

Following the announcement, renowned game director Hideki Kamiya (Resident Evil, Okami, Bayonetta) unleashed a scathing Twitter (X) tirade against those responsible for the Switch 2 leaks. He wished a particularly unpleasant curse upon the leakers, highlighting the joy he experienced with Okami's leak-free reveal at The Game Awards. Kamiya believes the leaks served only "own pleasure and self-satisfaction," undermining potential opportunities for Nintendo. He places the blame squarely on those who, knowing the information's sensitivity, chose to release it prematurely.

Former Nintendo of America employees Kit Ellis and Krysta Yang corroborated this sentiment in a pre-announcement YouTube video. They confirmed Nintendo's extreme displeasure with the leaks, emphasizing the significant disruption caused by the months of pre-release information.

The negative impact of such leaks on the gaming industry is undeniable. They diminish player anticipation and can create unrealistic expectations that clash with the final product. Nintendo has yet to quantify the damage these leaks may inflict on engagement and future sales.

The Enigmatic "C" Button

Even among the leakers, consensus on the mysterious "C" button (located on the right Joy-Con below the Home button) is elusive. Two main theories circulate: communication and mouse functionality.

The first suggests the "C" button (codenamed "Campus") enables group and voice chat for Nintendo Switch Online subscribers, along with screen sharing capabilities.

The second proposes mouse-like controls, effectively turning the right Joy-Con into a mouse, potentially enhancing the accessibility of first-person shooters. The way the Joy-Cons are depicted in the announcement trailer seems to lend some credence to this theory.

Ultimately, the specifics remain shrouded in mystery until the April 2 Nintendo Direct. Until then, speculation and anticipation will continue to swirl around Nintendo's latest hybrid console.