Ex-Nintendo PR Managers Furious Over Switch 2 Leaks

Two former Nintendo of America staff members, Kit Ellis and Krysta Yang, have shed light on the significant disruption caused by the ongoing Switch 2 leaks. These leaks, which include alleged reveal dates, upcoming games, and mockups of the device, have not only stirred excitement among fans but have also created chaos within Nintendo. The company has labeled these mockups and images as "unofficial," yet they continue to fuel speculation and anticipation.

In a recent video on their YouTube channel, Ellis and Yang, who both served over a decade at Nintendo and dealt with numerous leaks, discussed the internal impact of these breaches. Yang emphasized the severity of the situation, stating, "I am 100% sure that they are really mad, to the most severe level." She humorously referred to the intense emails filled with exclamation marks that circulate within the company during such crises, highlighting the high level of frustration and urgency.

The duo also pointed out the disruptive effect on Nintendo's staff, who are now juggling leak investigations alongside their regular duties. Yang described the internal atmosphere as a "high stress situation" and a "real pressure cooker," underscoring the added pressure on employees as they approach the Switch 2's alleged reveal.

Ellis expressed confidence in Nintendo's investigative team, saying, "They do have very good people who investigate these things. They will eventually get to the bottom of it." However, both former employees agreed that the leaks could diminish the impact of Nintendo's official announcement, with Yang noting, "It’s impacting the way we are all going to view this official announcement."

Genki Nintendo Switch Mockup Images from CES 2025

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Addressing speculation that Nintendo might be behind the leaks, Ellis and Yang firmly dismissed this notion. Ellis stated, "Nintendo did not do this on purpose," and recalled mandatory lectures on the "value of surprise" that staff would attend. He emphasized that nothing is more important to Nintendo than maintaining the element of surprise for its fans.

The extensive leaks have prompted Ellis to suggest that Nintendo will likely reassess its product security measures. Given that it has been eight years since the original Switch's launch in March 2017, the company's processes for hardware reveals may need updating.

While Nintendo has yet to officially unveil the Switch 2, the company has confirmed that the new console will be backward-compatible with original Switch games and will support Nintendo Switch Online. The console is not expected to launch during Nintendo's current financial year, meaning it will arrive no earlier than April 2025. An official announcement is anticipated in the first quarter of this year.