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 strong reaction.
A Positive Market Reaction 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 boost after the Switch 2 announcement. The company's average share price in 2024 hovered around $13 USD, gradually climbing as Switch 2 leaks surfaced online. However, the post-announcement peak reached $15.77 USD, a new high for the year.
Toto attributes this surge to investor relief, stemming from fears of a repeat of the Wii U's underperformance. The Switch 2's iterative design, reminiscent of Apple's iPhone strategy, appears to have assuaged these concerns. While some fans express dissatisfaction with the console's name and design, its clear identification as a Nintendo product is seen as a crucial step in avoiding another Wii U-like failure.
Despite the positive market response, Toto acknowledges that the pre-release leaks significantly diminished the impact of the official announcement, stating that the reveal lacked the same punch as the original Switch launch in 2016. The announcement offered limited details, with a Nintendo Direct scheduled for April 2 promising further specifications, launch titles, and pricing. Stay updated with our regularly updated Switch 2 articles for the latest information.
Kamiya's Outrage Over Leaks
Following the announcement, renowned game director Hideki Kamiya voiced his fury towards the leakers on Twitter (X). His message was a scathing condemnation, wishing a peculiar curse upon those responsible.
His frustration stems from the positive experience of unveiling Okami at The Game Awards without any prior leaks. He criticizes the leakers' actions as self-serving, detrimental to Nintendo's potential post-announcement gains. He places the blame squarely on those who possessed the knowledge and chose to violate confidentiality.
Former Nintendo of America employees Kit Ellis and Krysta Yang corroborated Kamiya's sentiments in a YouTube video, confirming Nintendo's extreme displeasure with the leaks.
The impact of such leaks on the gaming industry is undeniable, dampening anticipation and potentially creating unrealistic expectations. Nintendo has yet to quantify the damage caused by these leaks.
The Enigmatic "C" Button
One point of contention among those who leaked information is the mysterious "C" button on the right Joy-Con. Two prominent theories circulate: communication features and mouse functionality.
The "Campus" theory suggests communication-related functions, including group chat, voice chat (for Nintendo Switch Online subscribers), and screen sharing.
Alternatively, the mouse control theory proposes that the button transforms the right Joy-Con into a mouse, enhancing gameplay in titles like first-person shooters. The way the Joy-Cons are depicted in the announcement video lends some credence to this theory.
Ultimately, only the April 2 Nintendo Direct will provide definitive answers regarding the "C" button and other Switch 2 features.
