Former Sony Interactive Entertainment Worldwide Studios president Shuhei Yoshida recently shared his candid thoughts on the Nintendo Switch 2's reveal during an interview with Easy Allies. His reaction to the announcement was less than enthusiastic, highlighting a perceived shift in Nintendo's approach.
Yoshida expressed his belief that Nintendo might be losing its unique identity, known for crafting innovative experiences through integrated hardware and game design. He noted that the Switch 2, while an anticipated upgrade with a larger screen, more powerful processor, higher resolution, 4K, and 120 fps, seemed to follow a path more commonly tread by other gaming companies. 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."
He acknowledged that for dedicated Nintendo gamers, the Switch 2 is a welcome upgrade, enabling them to play titles like Elden Ring that were previously unavailable. However, for gamers with access to other platforms, the excitement is somewhat diminished.
Yoshida also commented on the reveal event, pointing out that while it attracted millions of viewers, much of the showcased content consisted of ports from previous generations. He singled out "Enter the Gungeon 2" as a standout announcement, praising its presentation. Additionally, he commended "Drag x Drive" for embodying the essence of what he considers "very Nintendo."
Regarding the Switch 2's pricing, Yoshida touched on the differences between Japan and other regions but noted that specific U.S. pricing remains undisclosed. Pre-orders in North America were paused due to impending tariffs announced on the same day as the Switch 2's reveal. With a global launch scheduled for June 5, Nintendo faces pressure to resolve these issues swiftly.
Despite his reservations, Yoshida recognized the Switch 2 as a sound business decision, likely crafted by talented designers. He concluded that while the system may play it safe, elements like mouse controls hint at Nintendo's playful and innovative spirit still being present, even if somewhat subdued.
