"Nintendo Switch 2 Unveiling Boosts Shareholder Joy, Irks Kamiya"

Nintendo's announcement of the Switch 2 has sent ripples through the gaming world, boosting share prices while drawing ire from industry veteran Hideki Kamiya over leaks. Dive into the details of Nintendo's financial upturn and Kamiya's outspoken critique of leakers.

Nintendo’s Shareholders Celebrate Switch 2 Reveal

The unveiling of the Switch 2 has significantly lifted Nintendo's share price, as highlighted in a VGC interview with Kantan Games CEO Serkan Toto on January 16, 2025. Kantan Games, a leading consultancy focused on the Japanese gaming market, noted the positive market response.

The anticipation surrounding the Switch 2, despite recent leaks, has propelled Nintendo's market value to new heights. In 2024, Nintendo's shares averaged around $13 USD, but with the buzz of Switch 2 leaks in the latter half of the year, the share price soared to a peak of $15.77 USD.

Toto attributes this surge to investor confidence in the Switch 2. "Investors feared a repeat of the Wii U scenario, where Nintendo might experiment too radically and miss the mark on consumer demand," he explained. "There's palpable relief in the financial community about the Switch 2. Investors hoped for a more iterative, iPhone-like approach, and Nintendo has certainly met those expectations." While some fans express reservations about the Switch 2's name and design, its clear branding may prevent a repeat of the Wii U's market confusion.

Despite the positive market reaction, Toto notes that leaks have diluted the impact of the announcement. "The leaks over the past few days really spoiled the surprise for me," he said. "Even without the leaks, the Switch 2's reveal doesn't match the excitement of the original Switch's debut in 2016."

Nintendo has kept details sparse but plans a direct on April 2 to disclose the Switch 2's specs, launch titles, and pricing. Stay updated with our regularly refreshed Switch 2 articles for the latest on this eagerly awaited hybrid console.

Hideki Kamiya's Outburst Against Switch 2 Leakers

In the wake of the Switch 2 announcement, acclaimed game designer Hideki Kamiya, known for directing classics like Resident Evil, Okami, and Bayonetta, took to Twitter (X) to vent his frustration at the leakers. "To those who leaked information about Switch 2 and those 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," Kamiya declared.

His irritation stems from the joy he experienced revealing Okami at last year's The Game Awards, an event unmarred by leaks. "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 argues that leakers are motivated by "their own pleasure and self-satisfaction," which undermines the opportunities Nintendo could leverage post-announcement. He also pointed fingers at those within the inner circle who chose to leak sensitive details about the new handheld.

Former Nintendo of America employees Kit Ellis and Krysta Yang echoed this sentiment in a YouTube video just before the announcement. "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," Yang stated. "We joke around but… they are very, very, very, upset by this."

Leaks in the gaming industry can diminish player excitement and skew expectations away from the product's actual features. Nintendo has yet to comment on the impact of these Switch 2 leaks on future engagement and sales.

The Enigmatic “C” Button on Switch 2 Sparks Rumors

Amidst the leaks, one feature of the Switch 2 that has sparked intense debate is the mysterious "C" button located on the right Joy-Con, just below the Home Button. Two dominant rumors have emerged about its purpose: communication enhancements and mouse-like controls.

The first rumor suggests that the "C" button, code-named "Campus," could offer group and voice chat features for Nintendo Switch Online subscribers, along with screen sharing capabilities to enhance multiplayer experiences.

Alternatively, some believe the "C" button might enable the right Joy-Con to function as a mouse, improving the control scheme for genres like first-person shooters. Supporters of this theory point to the Switch 2 announcement, where the Joy-Cons appear to glide over a flat surface.

Nintendo has yet to clarify the specs and features of the Switch 2. Fans will have to wait until the April 2 direct for a comprehensive reveal of this much-anticipated hybrid console.