Nintendo's Switch 2 Unveiling: A Stock Surge and a Director's Ire
Nintendo's stock price soared following the Switch 2 reveal, while game director Hideki Kamiya unleashed a torrent of criticism on those responsible for pre-release leaks. This article delves into the financial implications of the announcement and Kamiya's strong reaction.
A Positive Market Response to the Switch 2
As reported by Kantan Games CEO Serkan Toto in a January 16, 2025 VGC interview, Nintendo's share price experienced a significant increase after the Switch 2 announcement. This surge, despite prior leaks, reflects a positive market sentiment. The company's average share price in 2024 hovered around $13 USD, gradually rising with the proliferation of Switch 2 leaks. However, the post-announcement peak reached $15.77 USD, the highest point of the year.
Toto attributes this increase to investor relief, stemming from fears of a repeat of the Wii U's underperformance. Investors, he explains, favored an iterative approach similar to Apple's iPhone strategy—a strategy Nintendo seemingly adopted with the Switch 2. While some fans express dissatisfaction with the console's name and design, its clear lineage avoids the Wii U's branding pitfalls.
Despite the positive market reaction, Toto acknowledges that the leaks diminished the impact of the official announcement, stating the reveal lacked the surprise of the original Switch launch in 2016. The announcement offered limited details; a Nintendo Direct on April 2 is expected to provide specifications, launch titles, and pricing. Further information on the Switch 2 can be found in regularly updated articles.
Kamiya's Outrage Over Leaks
Hideki Kamiya, renowned for his outspoken nature, voiced his fury on Twitter (X) towards those responsible for the Switch 2 leaks. He expressed a desire for the leakers to suffer a comical, yet pointed, curse. His frustration stems from the positive experience of the surprise Okami reveal at The Game Awards, a stark contrast to the Switch 2 situation. He criticized the leakers for their self-serving actions, highlighting the negative impact on Nintendo's potential post-announcement opportunities.
Former Nintendo of America employees Kit Ellis and Krysta Yang corroborated Kamiya's sentiments in a YouTube video, emphasizing Nintendo's extreme displeasure with the leaks. They highlighted the significant disruption caused by the continuous leaks in the months leading up to the official announcement.
The Enigmatic "C" Button
The Switch 2 leaks have generated considerable speculation, particularly surrounding a mysterious "C" button on the right Joy-Con. Two prominent theories exist: communication functionality and mouse controls.
One theory suggests the "C" button, codenamed "Campus," integrates communication features for Nintendo Switch Online subscribers, including group chat, voice chat, and screen sharing.
Another theory proposes mouse-like functionality, transforming the right Joy-Con into a mouse, potentially enhancing gameplay in titles like first-person shooters. This theory gains support from the apparent depiction of the Joy-Cons sliding on a surface in the announcement trailer.
Ultimately, the true nature of the "C" button, along with other Switch 2 specifications, remains unknown until the April 2 Nintendo Direct.
