Former Nintendo of America employees shed light on the impact of the ongoing Switch 2 leaks, highlighting the significant internal disruption and the compromised element of surprise for fans.
Recent leaks have revealed purported release dates, upcoming games, and even mockups of the Switch 2. Images of the motherboard and Joy-Cons have also surfaced online, fueling speculation. Nintendo has officially labeled these leaks as "unofficial."
In a YouTube video, former Nintendo PR managers Kit Ellis and Krysta Yang, leveraging their combined decade-plus of experience at Nintendo and firsthand knowledge of past leaks, discussed the likely internal fallout.
Yang stated unequivocally that Nintendo is "really mad," describing the internal reaction as extremely negative. The pair detailed the disruptive effect leaks have on staff, noting that the current investigations, so close to the anticipated reveal, are severely impacting the team's ability to focus on the console's launch. Yang characterized the internal atmosphere as "high stress" and "chaotic." Ellis, however, expressed confidence in Nintendo's investigative capabilities, stating they will ultimately uncover the source of the leaks.
Genki Nintendo Switch Mockup Images from CES 2025
3 Images
The leaks have undeniably diminished the element of surprise surrounding the official announcement, according to both Ellis and Yang.
Addressing speculation that Nintendo itself orchestrated the leaks, both vehemently denied this possibility. Ellis emphasized the company's strong emphasis on the "value of surprise," highlighting mandatory training sessions reinforcing this principle. They asserted that the leaks are purely disruptive and negatively impact the launch preparations.
Ellis anticipates a reevaluation of Nintendo's product security protocols following this incident, citing the eight-year gap since the original Switch launch in March 2017 as a contributing factor to potential vulnerabilities in their current processes.
While all information remains unofficial until Nintendo's formal announcement, the company has confirmed backward compatibility with original Switch games and integration with Nintendo Switch Online. The release, however, is not anticipated within their current fiscal year, meaning a launch no earlier than April 2025.
