Recent leaks about the Nintendo Switch 2 have stirred significant unrest within Nintendo of America, according to two former staff members, Kit Ellis and Krysta Yang. These leaks, which include alleged reveal dates, upcoming games, and even mockups of the device, have not only disrupted internal operations but also potentially diminished the excitement of the console's official announcement for fans. Nintendo has labeled these leaks as "unofficial," yet they continue to spread across the internet, featuring images of the Switch 2's motherboard and Joy-Con.
In a video on their YouTube channel, Ellis and Yang, who both served over a decade at Nintendo and dealt with numerous leaks, expressed their belief that the company is extremely frustrated with the situation. Yang humorously mentioned the "hot exclamation mark emails" that signify the severity of the company's reaction, emphasizing the high level of upset within Nintendo. The duo highlighted the chaotic and stressful environment these leaks create for the staff, especially as they approach the console's alleged reveal, which could hinder their focus on the launch preparations.
Ellis praised Nintendo's investigative team, confident that they would uncover the source of the leaks. Both former employees dismissed the notion that Nintendo might be orchestrating these leaks intentionally, underscoring the company's emphasis on the "value of surprise" and the importance of maintaining secrecy around new product announcements.
Genki Nintendo Switch Mockup Images from CES 2025

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The leaks, according to Yang, will affect how fans perceive the official announcement, with Ellis adding that it changes the anticipation surrounding the event. The extensive nature of these leaks may prompt Nintendo to reassess its product security measures, especially since it hasn't launched hardware of this scale since the original Switch in March 2017.
While speculation about the Switch 2's features abounds, Nintendo has confirmed a few key details: the yet-to-be-announced Switch 2 will be backward-compatible with original Switch games and will feature Nintendo Switch Online. The console is not expected to launch during Nintendo's current financial year, pointing to a release no earlier than April 2025. An official announcement is anticipated in the first quarter of this year, but until then, all other claims remain unverified and subject to change.