Former Nintendo of America employees shed light on the impact of recent Switch 2 leaks, highlighting the significant internal disruption and compromised element of surprise for fans. Leaks have revealed potential release dates, game titles, and even device mockups, including images of the motherboard and Joy-Cons. Nintendo has officially dismissed these as "unofficial."
In a YouTube video, ex-Nintendo PR managers Kit Ellis and Krysta Yang, leveraging their combined decade-plus experience, discussed the likely internal fallout. Yang described the company's reaction as "really mad, to the most severe level," emphasizing the intense internal response to such breaches.
The pair detailed the disruptive effect leaks have on staff, noting the added stress of investigations alongside regular duties, creating a "highly chaotic situation" and "pressure cooker" environment. Ellis expressed confidence in Nintendo's investigative capabilities, assuring viewers that the source would eventually be identified.
Genki Nintendo Switch Mockup Images from CES 2025
3 Images
The leaks have undeniably diminished the element of surprise surrounding the official announcement, impacting fan anticipation, according to both Ellis and Yang. They firmly dismissed speculation of internal leaks, emphasizing Nintendo's strong emphasis on the "value of surprise" and the rigorous internal processes in place.
Ellis suggested that Nintendo will likely reassess its product security protocols in light of these extensive leaks, given the eight-year gap since the original Switch launch. This significant timeframe may necessitate refinements to their hardware reveal procedures.
While all information remains unofficial until Nintendo's formal announcement (expected in Q1 2024), Nintendo has confirmed backward compatibility with original Switch games and integration with Nintendo Switch Online. A release date within the current fiscal year is unlikely, suggesting a launch no earlier than April 2025.
