Former Sony Interactive Entertainment Worldwide Studios president Shuhei Yoshida recently shared his thoughts on the Nintendo Switch 2's reveal during an interview with Easy Allies. His reaction was notably tempered, expressing a sense of mixed feelings about the new console.
Yoshida commented, "To me, it was a bit mixed message from Nintendo. In a sense, I think Nintendo is losing their identity, in my opinion. For me, they are always about creating some new experience, like designing hardware and games together to create something that [is an] amazing new experience. 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."
He elaborated that for gamers exclusively using Nintendo hardware, the Switch 2 is a welcome upgrade, particularly because it allows them to play titles like Elden Ring that were previously unavailable. However, for those accustomed to other gaming platforms, the excitement might be less pronounced.
Yoshida also critiqued the reveal event, noting that while it attracted millions of viewers, many of the showcased games were ports from previous generations. He singled out "Enter the Gungeon 2" as a standout, praising its announcement. Additionally, he commended "Drag x Drive" for embodying Nintendo's unique style.
Discussing the system's pricing and regional differences, Yoshida expressed some disappointment, stating, "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 reservations, Yoshida acknowledged the Switch 2 as a smart business move, crediting the technical enhancements to the work of talented designers. He recognized the console's safe approach, which might appeal to a broad audience but could leave some fans longing for Nintendo's more unconventional offerings.
The pricing of the Switch 2 remains undisclosed for the U.S. market, with Nintendo halting North American pre-orders due to new tariffs announced on the same day as the system's reveal. As the global launch date of June 5 approaches, Nintendo faces pressure to resolve these issues swiftly.
For those eager to experience the Switch 2, Yoshida's insights provide a nuanced perspective on what to expect from Nintendo's latest offering.
