Nintendo's Switch 2 Reveal Delights Shareholders, Angers Kamiya

Nintendo's Switch 2 Unveiling: A Stock Surge and Kamiya's Ire

Nintendo's stock soared following the Switch 2 reveal, while Hideki Kamiya unleashed his fury on those responsible for pre-release leaks. This article delves into Nintendo's financial gains 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 saw a significant boost after the Switch 2 announcement. Despite prior leaks, the anticipation surrounding the new console propelled Nintendo's market value to a new high of $15.77 USD, exceeding its 2024 average of around $13 USD.

Toto attributes this increase to investor relief, fearing a repeat of the Wii U's underperformance. The Switch 2's iterative design, akin to an iPhone upgrade, appears to have allayed these concerns. While some fans express dissatisfaction with the name and design, its clear identity as a successor to the Switch could prevent a Wii U-like failure.

However, Toto acknowledges that the leaks significantly diminished the surprise element of the reveal, stating that the impact paled in comparison to the original Switch's 2016 launch. The official announcement offered limited details, with a Nintendo Direct scheduled for April 2 promising further information on specifications, launch titles, and pricing.

Kamiya's Outrage Over Switch 2 Leaks

Prominent game director Hideki Kamiya voiced his intense displeasure towards the Switch 2 leakers on Twitter (X). His scathing remarks expressed frustration, contrasting sharply with the positive reception he experienced during the un-leaked reveal of Okami at The Game Awards.

Kamiya condemned the leakers' actions, asserting that their self-serving motivations negatively impacted Nintendo's potential post-announcement gains. He shifted blame squarely onto those who possessed the information and chose to release it prematurely.

Former Nintendo of America employees Kit Ellis and Krysta Yang corroborated this sentiment in a pre-announcement YouTube video, confirming Nintendo's extreme displeasure with the leaks.

The Enigmatic "C" Button

The Switch 2 leaks have generated considerable speculation, particularly surrounding a mysterious "C" button on the right Joy-Con. Two primary theories exist: communication functionality and mouse controls.

One theory suggests the "C" button, codenamed "Campus," provides access to communication features for Nintendo Switch Online subscribers, including group chat, voice chat, and screen sharing.

Alternatively, the "C" button might offer mouse-like functionality, transforming the right Joy-Con into a mouse for enhanced control in games like first-person shooters. The presentation's depiction of the Joy-Cons sliding on a surface fuels this theory.

However, definitive answers remain elusive until the April 2 Nintendo Direct.