The ongoing leaks surrounding the highly anticipated Nintendo Switch 2 have sparked significant discussions among industry insiders, particularly from two former Nintendo of America staff members, Kit Ellis and Krysta Yang. These leaks, which include alleged reveal dates, upcoming game titles, and even mockups of the console itself, have been described by Nintendo as "unofficial." The impact of these leaks is believed to be causing considerable disruption within the company, affecting their ability to surprise and delight their fans with the new console's launch.
In a recent YouTube video, Ellis and Yang, who both have over a decade of experience at Nintendo, delved into the internal turmoil caused by these leaks. Yang emphasized the severity of the situation, humorously mentioning the "hot exclamation mark emails" that circulate within the company when leaks occur. "They are very, very, very upset by this," she stated, highlighting the intense frustration and anger among Nintendo's staff. The duo also discussed the added stress and chaos these leaks bring, describing the internal environment as a "high stress situation" and a "real pressure cooker," especially as the team tries to focus on the console's upcoming launch.
Despite the chaos, Ellis expressed confidence in Nintendo's investigative team, asserting that they would eventually uncover the source of the leaks. Both former employees dismissed any speculation that Nintendo might be orchestrating these leaks intentionally, with Ellis emphasizing the company's emphasis on the "value of surprise." He recounted mandatory lectures on this topic, underscoring that nothing is more important to Nintendo than keeping their announcements under wraps.
Genki Nintendo Switch Mockup Images from CES 2025
3 Images
The extensive leaks may alter the fans' perception of the official announcement, according to Yang and Ellis. As a result, Nintendo is likely to reassess its product security measures. Given that it's been eight years since the launch of the original Switch in March 2017, the company may need to refine its processes for hardware reveals.
While the leaks continue to circulate, Nintendo has confirmed a few details about the Switch 2. The yet-to-be-announced console will be backward-compatible with original Switch games and will feature Nintendo Switch Online. However, it will not launch during Nintendo's current financial year, so fans can expect it no earlier than April 2025. An official announcement is anticipated in the first quarter of this year, but until then, all other claims remain speculative and subject to change.
