‘I Am 100% Sure They Are Really Mad, to the Most Severe Level’ — Ex-Nintendo PR Managers React to Switch 2 Leaks

Former Nintendo of America employees shed light on the impact of recent Switch 2 leaks, highlighting significant internal disruption and the compromised element of surprise for fans. Leaks have revealed potential release dates, upcoming games, 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 of experience, discussed the internal fallout. Yang emphasized the intense negative reaction within Nintendo, describing the situation as a "high-stress" and "highly chaotic" environment, further complicated by leak investigations adding to already demanding workloads. Ellis confirmed Nintendo's dedicated investigative team is working to identify the source.

The leaks have undeniably diminished the intended surprise element of 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 extensive training staff receive on maintaining secrecy.

Ellis anticipates a reassessment of Nintendo's product security protocols following this incident, given the eight-year gap since the original Switch launch. This significant timeframe suggests a need for updated procedures for hardware reveals.

What rumored Switch 2 feature are you most excited for?

4K upscalingLarger screenOptical sensor on JoyconMysterious "C" buttonFaster SD cardsMagnetic locking Joycon

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 within the current fiscal year is unlikely, suggesting an April 2025 launch at the earliest.