"Ex-Nintendo PR Managers Furious Over Switch 2 Leaks"

Recent leaks surrounding the highly anticipated Nintendo Switch 2 have stirred significant unrest within Nintendo of America, according to two of its former staff members. Kit Ellis and Krysta Yang, both ex-PR managers at Nintendo with over a decade of experience, recently took to their YouTube channel to discuss the potential repercussions of these leaks. They highlighted how such breaches could disrupt internal operations and dampen the excitement of the console's official reveal.

The leaks, which have included details about the Switch 2's alleged release date, anticipated game lineup, and even mockups of the device itself, have been labeled as "unofficial" by Nintendo. Yet, images of the console's motherboard and Joy-Con have circulated online, fueling further speculation among fans. The former Nintendo staff expressed that these leaks are likely causing a high-stress environment within the company, with Yang humorously yet poignantly describing the intensity of internal communications with phrases like "hot exclamation mark emails."

Ellis and Yang detailed how the ongoing investigations into these leaks are adding chaos and pressure to the team, potentially distracting from the crucial work needed for the console's launch. They emphasized that Nintendo's investigators are skilled and will eventually uncover the source of the leaks, but the damage in terms of morale and focus might already be done.

Genki Nintendo Switch Mockup Images from CES 2025

3 Images

The duo also addressed the notion that Nintendo might be orchestrating these leaks intentionally, firmly debunking such rumors. They stressed Nintendo's commitment to the element of surprise in their product announcements, a value deeply ingrained in the company's culture. Ellis recounted mandatory lectures on this topic, underlining that no one within Nintendo would intentionally compromise this principle.

The leaks pose a challenge not just internally but also in how fans will perceive the official announcement. Yang noted that the leaks could make it harder for Nintendo to surprise its audience, while Ellis added that they might alter the overall reception of the console's reveal.

Given the magnitude of the Switch 2 as Nintendo's first major hardware release since the original Switch in 2017, Ellis suggested that the company might need to reassess its product security measures. The leaks have highlighted potential vulnerabilities in Nintendo's processes for hardware reveals.

While Nintendo has yet to officially unveil the Switch 2, they have confirmed that the new console will be backward-compatible with original Switch games and will support Nintendo Switch Online. A formal announcement is expected in the first quarter of this year, but the console won't launch until April 2025 at the earliest, as it falls outside Nintendo's current financial year.