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

Two former Nintendo of America staff members, Kit Ellis and Krysta Yang, have weighed in on the ongoing leaks surrounding the Nintendo Switch 2. In a recent video on their YouTube channel, they expressed that these leaks have likely caused significant disruption within Nintendo and may impact the company's ability to surprise its fanbase. With over a decade of experience at Nintendo, both have dealt with numerous leaks and understand the internal turmoil they can cause.

The leaks have included alleged reveal dates, games expected for the next-generation console, and even mockups of the device itself. Images of the Switch 2’s motherboard and Joy-Con have surfaced online, fueling further speculation among fans. Nintendo has labeled these mockups and leaked images as "unofficial."

Yang emphasized the severity of the situation within Nintendo, stating, "I am 100% sure that they are really mad, to the most severe level." She described the internal communications as "hot hot hot," with emails filled with exclamation marks indicating the company's frustration. Both former PR managers discussed the disruptive impact on staff, suggesting that ongoing leak investigations near the Switch 2’s alleged reveal have added to the workload and stress levels, potentially affecting the focus on the console's launch.

Ellis acknowledged Nintendo's robust investigative team, confident that they would eventually identify the source of the leaks. Yang described the internal atmosphere as a "highly chaotic situation" and a "real pressure cooker," highlighting the added stress on employees.

Genki Nintendo Switch Mockup Images from CES 2025

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The leaks may diminish the excitement around Nintendo's official announcement, according to Yang. Ellis added that these leaks will change how the announcement is perceived by fans. Both firmly dismissed the notion that Nintendo might be behind the leaks, emphasizing the company's strong emphasis on surprise. Ellis mentioned mandatory staff lectures on the "value of surprise," underscoring Nintendo's commitment to keeping announcements under wraps.

The leaks have disrupted Nintendo's plans to announce and launch a new console, an already challenging task. Ellis suggested that Nintendo would likely reassess its product security measures as a result. The company hasn't launched hardware on this scale since the original Switch in March 2017, indicating that their current processes for hardware reveals may need updating.

While Nintendo has not officially revealed anything about the Switch 2, they have confirmed that the console will be backward-compatible with original Switch games and will feature Nintendo Switch Online. The company has also stated that the console is not expected to launch during the current financial year, meaning it will arrive no earlier than April 2025. A formal announcement is expected in the first quarter of this year.