Ex-Nintendo PR Reacts to Switch 2 Leaks: "Severe Anger"

Two former Nintendo of America employees shed light on the impact of the ongoing Switch 2 leaks, suggesting significant internal disruption and a compromised element of surprise for fans. Recent leaks have revealed purported release dates, game titles, and even mockups of the device itself, including images of the motherboard and Joy-Cons. Nintendo has officially dismissed these as "unofficial."

In a YouTube video, former Nintendo PR managers Kit Ellis and Krysta Yang, leveraging their combined decade-plus of experience at Nintendo and firsthand knowledge of past leaks, discussed the likely internal fallout. Yang stated unequivocally, "I am 100% sure that they are really mad, to the most severe level," referencing the infamous "hot exclamation mark emails" indicative of high-level internal concern.

The pair highlighted the disruptive effect leaks have on staff, suggesting that the current investigations, so close to the anticipated reveal, are creating a highly stressful and chaotic environment, hindering focus on the console's launch. Ellis confirmed Nintendo's investigative capabilities, assuring viewers that the source of the leaks would eventually be identified. Yang described the situation as a "high stress situation… a real pressure cooker."

Genki Nintendo Switch Mockup Images from CES 2025

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The leaks, they argued, significantly impact Nintendo's ability to surprise its fanbase. Ellis added, "It’s impacting the way we are all going to view this official announcement." Both were quick to dispel rumors of internal leaks, stating emphatically that Nintendo did not intentionally release this information. Ellis recounted mandatory training sessions emphasizing the importance of surprise, stating, "Nothing we do is more important than surprising… There is absolutely nobody trying to do this on purpose."

The extensive leaks will likely prompt a reevaluation of Nintendo's product security protocols, Ellis suggested. The significant time elapsed since the original Switch launch (March 2017) highlights the need for process improvements, given the scale of this hardware release.

While all information remains unofficial until an official announcement, Nintendo has confirmed backward compatibility with original Switch games and integration with Nintendo Switch Online. The console is not expected to launch within the current fiscal year, indicating a release date no earlier than April 2025. A formal announcement is expected in the first quarter of this year.