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 was less than enthusiastic, suggesting that Nintendo might be straying from its unique identity.
Yoshida expressed that the Switch 2 felt like a "mixed message" from Nintendo. He believes that the company has traditionally been about creating new and innovative experiences by designing hardware and games together. However, he feels the Switch 2, while an improved version of the original Switch with a larger screen, more powerful processor, higher resolution, 4K, and 120 fps, is essentially just a "better Switch" - something other companies have been doing routinely.
Special guest Shuhei Yoshida gets real about the Switch 2 pic.twitter.com/CzZYPnTtue
— Easy Allies (@EasyAllies) April 14, 2025
He noted that for gamers who only play on Nintendo hardware, the Switch 2 is exciting because it allows them to play games like Elden Ring, which were previously unavailable. However, for those who game on multiple platforms, the reveal was less thrilling.
Yoshida also commented on the showcase event, which attracted millions of viewers, but felt that most of the games shown were ports from past generations. He singled out "Enter the Gungeon 2" as a standout, praising its announcement and presentation. He also complimented "Drag x Drive" for being "very Nintendo."
Regarding the system's pricing, Yoshida discussed the differences between Japan and the rest of the world, expressing some disappointment that Nintendo didn't surprise everyone with something more innovative than a better version of the Switch.
He acknowledged that the Switch 2 is a solid business decision, with technical improvements likely made by talented designers. However, he lamented that the system plays it safe in some ways, which might be disappointing for fans of Nintendo's more unconventional side, though he noted the inclusion of mouse controls and other features as signs of Nintendo's playful spirit.
Despite Yoshida's in-depth discussion on pricing with Easy Allies, the actual cost of the Switch 2 in the U.S. remains unknown. Nintendo has paused North American pre-orders due to new tariffs announced the same day as the system's reveal. With a global launch scheduled for June 5, the company needs to resolve these issues swiftly.
