Former Sony Interactive Entertainment Worldwide Studios president Shuhei Yoshida recently shared his thoughts on the reveal of the Nintendo Switch 2, and his response was less than enthusiastic. In an interview with Easy Allies, Yoshida expressed his concerns about Nintendo's direction with the new console.
Yoshida noted that the Switch 2 seemed to send a mixed message from Nintendo. He felt that the company might be losing its unique identity, known for creating new and innovative gaming experiences through the integration of hardware and software. Instead, the Switch 2 appeared to be a straightforward upgrade of the original Switch, boasting a larger screen, more powerful processor, higher resolution, 4K capabilities, and 120 fps. Yoshida pointed out that the reveal even featured a hardware person starting the stream, a common practice among other gaming platforms.
He remarked, "But Switch 2, as we all anticipated, is a better Switch, right? It's the larger screen, more powerful processor, higher resolution, 4K, 120 fps, they even have a hardware person starting the stream, like other platforms do, right? And because it's a better Switch, the core premise of the whole Switch 2 is, you know, 'We made things better'. And that's something other companies have been doing all the time."
Yoshida acknowledged that for gamers who primarily play on Nintendo hardware, the Switch 2 is a welcome upgrade, especially with the ability to play games like Elden Ring that were previously unavailable. However, for those who game across multiple platforms, the excitement is somewhat diminished.
He also commented on the reveal event, which attracted millions of viewers. While many games showcased were ports from past generations, Yoshida was particularly impressed with "Enter the Gungeon 2," praising its announcement and visual appeal. He also highlighted "Drag x Drive" as a game that embodies Nintendo's unique style.
Yoshida touched on the Switch 2's pricing and noted the differences between Japan and other regions. He expressed some disappointment in the reveal, saying, "Anyway, with some of the things Nintendo is doing, with the camera or mouse controls, creating new experiences, that's great. But other than that, I was personally a bit disappointed, because they didn't disappoint everyone. Because everyone wanted that better Switch."
Despite his personal disappointment, Yoshida recognized the Switch 2 as a smart business move, likely crafted by talented and intelligent designers. He acknowledged that while the system plays it safe in some areas, it still includes elements like mouse controls that showcase Nintendo's playful and innovative spirit.
As for the Switch 2's pricing in the U.S., Yoshida mentioned the ongoing uncertainty due to new tariffs, which led Nintendo to pause North American pre-orders. With the global launch scheduled for June 5, the company faces a tight deadline to resolve these issues before the system hits the market.
