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 company's ability to surprise its fans. Images of the Switch 2's motherboard and Joy-Con have surfaced online, fueling further speculation despite Nintendo labeling them as "unofficial."

In a video on their YouTube channel, Ellis and Yang, both former PR managers with over a decade of experience at Nintendo, delved into the impact of these leaks. Yang expressed strong sentiments about the internal reaction, stating, "I am 100% sure that they are really mad, to the most severe level. We joke around about the hot exclamation mark emails. They are hot hot hot. How many exclamation marks could be at the end of this? They are very, very, very upset by this."

The duo highlighted the disruptive effect on Nintendo's staff, suggesting that the ongoing investigations into the leaks are creating a high-stress environment. Yang described it as a "highly chaotic situation in there right now and a real pressure cooker." Ellis added confidence in Nintendo's investigative team, saying, "They do have very good people who investigate these things. They will eventually get to the bottom of it."

Genki Nintendo Switch Mockup Images from CES 2025

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Yang pointed out that the leaks could alter fans' perceptions of the official announcement, with Ellis adding, "It’s impacting the way we are all going to view this official announcement." Both firmly dismissed any speculation that Nintendo might be orchestrating these leaks, with Ellis stating, "Nintendo did not do this on purpose," and emphasizing the company's focus on the "value of surprise."

The leaks have prompted Ellis to suggest that Nintendo will likely reassess its product security measures. Given that it has been eight years since the original Switch's launch in March 2017, the company's processes for hardware reveals may need updating.

While Nintendo has yet to officially unveil the Switch 2, it has confirmed that the new console will be backward-compatible with original Switch games and will support Nintendo Switch Online. The company has also stated that the Switch 2 is not expected to launch during the current financial year, indicating a release no earlier than April 2025. An official announcement is anticipated in the first quarter of this year.