‘I Am 100% Sure They Are Really Mad, to the Most Severe Level’ — Ex-Nintendo PR Managers React to Switch 2 Leaks

Two former Nintendo of America employees shed light on the impact of the ongoing Switch 2 leaks, suggesting significant internal disruption and a compromised element of surprise for fans. Recent leaks have revealed purported release dates, game titles, and even mockups of the device itself, including images of the motherboard and Joy-Cons. Nintendo has officially dismissed these as "unofficial."

In a YouTube video, former Nintendo PR managers Kit Ellis and Krysta Yang, drawing on their combined decade-plus of experience at Nintendo and dealing with numerous leaks, discussed the likely internal fallout. Yang stated emphatically, "I am 100% sure that they are really mad, to the most severe level," referencing the infamous "hot exclamation mark emails" indicative of intense internal frustration.

The pair highlighted the disruptive effect leaks have on staff, suggesting the current investigations are creating a "high-stress situation" and "highly chaotic situation...a real pressure cooker," diverting resources and focus from the console's launch preparations. Ellis, however, expressed confidence in Nintendo's investigative capabilities, stating, "They do have very good people who investigate these things…They will eventually get to the bottom of it."

Genki Nintendo Switch Mockup Images from CES 2025

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The leaks, they argued, will inevitably diminish the element of surprise surrounding the official announcement. Ellis noted, "It’s impacting the way we are all going to view this official announcement."

Addressing speculation of internal leaks, both Ellis and Yang firmly denied Nintendo's involvement. Ellis emphasized the company's strong emphasis on surprise, recounting mandatory lectures on the "value of surprise" and stating definitively, "There is absolutely nobody trying to do this on purpose. This really does have a very disruptive impact on what the company is trying to do now, which is announce and launch a new console, which is hard enough as it is."

The extensive leaks, Ellis predicted, will prompt a reassessment of Nintendo's product security protocols. Given the eight-year gap since the original Switch launch in March 2017, the company's processes for hardware reveals may require refinement.

While all information remains unofficial until Nintendo's formal announcement, the company has confirmed backward compatibility with original Switch games and integration with Nintendo Switch Online. Furthermore, a launch during the current fiscal year has been ruled out, meaning an April 2025 release at the earliest. An official announcement is expected in the first quarter of this year.