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Nintendo's Switch 2 Unveiling: A Stock Surge and Kamiya's Ire
Nintendo's stock price soared following the Switch 2 reveal, while Hideki Kamiya unleashed a torrent of criticism towards those responsible for pre-release leaks. This article delves into Nintendo's financial gains and Kamiya's outspoken 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 jump after the Switch 2 announcement. Kantan Games, a Japanese market-focused consultancy, noted that the anticipation surrounding the Switch 2, despite prior leaks, boosted Nintendo's market valuation. While 2024 saw an average share price around $13 USD, gradually climbing with the proliferation of leaks, the announcement saw a peak of $15.77 USD – the highest point of the year.
Toto attributes this increase to investor relief. He explains that investors feared a repeat of the Wii U's underperformance, stemming from concerns about overly experimental designs. The Switch 2, with its iterative approach, eased these concerns. While some fans express dissatisfaction with the name and design, the familiarity will likely prevent a Wii U-level market failure.
Despite the positive market reaction, Toto acknowledges that the leaks diminished the impact of the official announcement, stating the reveal lacked the same punch as the original Switch's 2016 unveiling. The announcement offered limited details, with a promised Nintendo Direct on April 2 to reveal specifications, launch titles, and pricing. For further updates, refer to our regularly updated Switch 2 article.
Kamiya's Outrage Over Leaks
Following the reveal, renowned game director Hideki Kamiya expressed his fury towards the leakers on Twitter (X). His message was a scathing condemnation, wishing a particularly unpleasant fate upon those responsible. This stems from his own positive experience with the surprise reveal of Okami at The Game Awards, a stark contrast to the Switch 2 situation.
Kamiya criticized the leakers' actions as self-serving, negatively impacting Nintendo's post-announcement opportunities. He placed the blame squarely on those who possessed the information and chose to disclose it prematurely. Former Nintendo of America employees Kit Ellis and Krysta Yang corroborated this sentiment in a pre-announcement YouTube video, highlighting Nintendo's extreme displeasure with the leaks.
The detrimental effects of leaks on the gaming industry are undeniable, spoiling surprises and potentially creating unrealistic expectations. Nintendo's official response to the damage caused by these leaks remains pending.
The Enigmatic "C" Button
One point of contention among those who leaked information about the Switch 2 is the mysterious "C" button on the right Joy-Con. Two prominent theories circulate: communication functionality and mouse controls.
The "Campus" theory suggests the button facilitates group and voice chat for Nintendo Switch Online subscribers, along with screen-sharing capabilities. Alternatively, the mouse control theory proposes the button transforms the Joy-Con into a mouse, improving accessibility for games like first-person shooters. The announcement's visuals, showing the Joy-Cons sliding on a surface, have fueled this speculation.
Ultimately, the specifics remain unknown until the April 2 Nintendo Direct. Until then, speculation and anticipation continue to build around Nintendo's newest hybrid console.
