Former Nintendo Employees Weigh in on the ‘Crisis Moment’ Over Switch 2 Backlash

Two former Nintendo PR managers have recently voiced their concerns over the way Nintendo handled the unveiling of the Switch 2. Their main critique centers around the company’s lack of transparency about the console’s price, which wasn’t disclosed during the much-anticipated Switch 2 Direct event. While the gaming community was excited about the reveal of numerous new titles for the Switch 2, the ambiguity around pricing has sparked dissatisfaction.

The lengthy, hour-long presentation aimed to address many of the popular queries about the upcoming console, including its specs and available accessories. Featured games ranged from Nintendo staples like Mario Kart World and Donkey Kong Bananza to popular third-party additions like Cyberpunk 2077 and Final Fantasy 7 Remake Intergrade. Initially, Nintendo fans were thrilled with all the announcements. However, as excitement waned, frustration began to brew, particularly over the lack of clear pricing information.

In a lively stream, Nintendo indeed laid out many details, but the omission of specific pricing left fans in the dark. Now we know that the Nintendo Switch 2 is set to retail at $449.99, with some digital games reaching up to $79.99. This lack of upfront communication has left some feeling misled.

In a candid YouTube discussion, spotted by IGN, former PR managers Kit Ellis and Krysta Yang expressed their displeasure with Nintendo’s decision not to reveal these prices during the Direct. The stream did announce a June 5 release date, but consumers had to look elsewhere to find out how much they would need to spend.

Ellis described this as feeling like a “deliberate” oversight, stating, “It just shows some disrespect to the consumer. You’re just going to throw your money at us blindly, without questioning the cost because you’re just so excited, aren’t you?” They concluded that the whole situation seemed to spiral out of Nintendo’s control, overshadowing what should have been a positive milestone for the company.

The reveal also included news about the Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour, a system tutorial that will cost extra, unlike Astro’s Playroom, which was complimentary with every PlayStation 5. Following the Direct, the Nintendo Treehouse stream faced backlash, with viewers demanding price reductions for both console and games.

Despite the uproar, there’s still plenty of buzz surrounding the Nintendo Switch 2, thanks to its nearly 8-inch screen, enhanced graphics, and impressive 256GB internal storage. In addition, the console promises faster load times compared to its predecessor and will introduce newly designed Joy-Cons that can double as a mouse for certain games.

Overall, while the Switch 2’s features have generated excitement, the issue of pricing clarity remains a sticking point for many fans and could potentially impact the console’s initial reception.