"Ex-PlayStation President Disappointed with Nintendo Switch 2 Reveal"

Former Sony Interactive Entertainment Worldwide Studios president Shuhei Yoshida recently shared his candid thoughts on the Nintendo Switch 2's reveal in an interview with Easy Allies. His reaction to the new console was notably tempered, reflecting a mix of appreciation and disappointment.

Yoshida expressed that the Switch 2's announcement sent a "mixed message" from Nintendo. He believes the company might be straying from its core identity, which has historically been about crafting unique experiences through innovative hardware and game design. Instead, the Switch 2 appears to him as an iteration of the original Switch, boasting enhancements such as a larger screen, a more powerful processor, higher resolution, 4K capabilities, and 120 fps. He noted that the reveal even featured a hardware expert, a common approach for other platforms, suggesting that Nintendo is following a more conventional path.

Special guest Shuhei Yoshida gets real about the Switch 2 pic.twitter.com/CzZYPnTtue

— Easy Allies (@EasyAllies) April 14, 2025

Yoshida acknowledged that for those exclusively gaming on Nintendo systems, the Switch 2 is a welcome upgrade, especially with the ability to play previously unavailable titles like Elden Ring. However, for gamers with access to other platforms, the excitement is somewhat diminished.

He critiqued the reveal event, pointing out that many of the showcased games were ports from past generations, which might not have met the high expectations set by the event's large viewership. Yoshida singled out Enter the Gungeon 2 for its impressive announcement and praised Drag x Drive for embodying the quintessential Nintendo spirit.

On the topic of pricing, Yoshida noted the differences between Japan and the rest of the world, expressing a personal disappointment that the Switch 2 did not live up to the hype of delivering something unexpectedly innovative. He appreciated the new camera and mouse control features as nods to Nintendo's playful nature but felt the overall reveal was somewhat safe.

Despite his reservations, Yoshida recognized the Switch 2 as a solid business decision, likely crafted by talented designers. The sentiment echoes a broader online discussion about the console playing it safe, which might be a strategic move but can be disappointing for fans who crave Nintendo's more unconventional offerings.

As the Switch 2 is set to launch globally on June 5, Yoshida's discussion with Easy Allies also touched on the system's pricing, which remains undisclosed for the U.S. market. Nintendo has paused North American pre-orders due to new tariffs announced on the same day as the system's reveal, adding urgency to finalize pricing details before the launch.