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 response to the announcement was less than enthusiastic, indicating a sense of mixed feelings about Nintendo's direction.
In the interview, Yoshida expressed that the Switch 2's reveal felt like a mixed message from Nintendo. He believes that the company might be straying from its core identity, which has historically been about creating unique experiences through innovative hardware and game design. Yoshida noted that the Switch 2, while an anticipated upgrade with a larger screen, more powerful processor, higher resolution, 4K capability, and 120 fps, essentially follows the industry trend of simply improving upon existing technology.
Special guest Shuhei Yoshida gets real about the Switch 2 pic.twitter.com/CzZYPnTtue
— Easy Allies (@EasyAllies) April 14, 2025
Yoshida acknowledged that for those who exclusively game on Nintendo platforms, the Switch 2 would be a welcome upgrade, especially for playing titles like Elden Ring that were previously unavailable on Nintendo systems. However, he pointed out that for gamers who play on other platforms, the Switch 2 might not be as exciting.
He also commented on the reveal event itself, which was watched by millions. While he was impressed by the announcement of "Enter the Gungeon 2," he felt that many of the showcased games were ports from previous generations, raising questions about whether this reflects Nintendo's strategy or the decisions of third-party publishers. Yoshida praised "Drag x Drive" for embodying Nintendo's unique style but expressed disappointment that the Switch 2 did not surprise everyone with something new and different.
Discussing the system's pricing, Yoshida noted differences between Japan and the rest of the world, but specifics on the U.S. price remain undisclosed due to pending tariff issues that have paused North American pre-orders. Nintendo aims to resolve these issues before the global launch of the Switch 2 on June 5.
Overall, Yoshida recognized the Switch 2 as a smart business move, driven by talented designers. However, he felt it played it safe in some areas, which might disappoint fans who cherish Nintendo's unconventional approach to gaming. Despite this, he appreciated some new features like camera and mouse controls that hint at Nintendo's playful spirit.
For more detailed insights, you can watch the full interview with Easy Allies, where Yoshida delves deeper into his thoughts on the Switch 2 and its implications for the gaming industry.
