Former Sony Interactive Entertainment Worldwide Studios president Shuhei Yoshida recently shared his candid thoughts on the Nintendo Switch 2's reveal in an interview with Easy Allies. His reaction was less than enthusiastic, indicating a sense of disappointment and a feeling that Nintendo might be losing its unique identity.
Yoshida expressed that the Switch 2's reveal felt like a "mixed message" from Nintendo. He emphasized that Nintendo has traditionally been about creating new and innovative experiences by designing hardware and games together. However, he views the Switch 2 as simply an enhanced version of the original Switch, with a larger screen, more powerful processor, higher resolution, 4K capabilities, and 120 fps—improvements that other companies have been making regularly.
Special guest Shuhei Yoshida gets real about the Switch 2 pic.twitter.com/CzZYPnTtue
— Easy Allies (@EasyAllies) April 14, 2025
He noted that while the Switch 2 is a great option for those who exclusively game on Nintendo hardware, offering titles like Elden Ring that were previously unavailable, it's less exciting for gamers who also play on other platforms. Yoshida pointed out that the reveal showcased many ports from past generations, which he found somewhat underwhelming. He did, however, highlight Enter the Gungeon 2 as a standout announcement, praising its presentation.
Yoshida also commended Drag x Drive for embodying a "very Nintendo" feel. He touched on the system's pricing and the differences between Japan and the rest of the world, expressing some disappointment that Nintendo didn't deliver the unexpected that fans have come to anticipate.
Despite his reservations, Yoshida acknowledged the Switch 2 as a sound business decision, crediting the technical improvements to the work of highly intelligent and talented designers. He recognized that while the system might play it safe, elements like mouse controls hint at Nintendo's playful and innovative spirit.
The pricing of the Switch 2 in the U.S. remains uncertain, as Nintendo has paused North American pre-orders due to new tariffs announced on the day of the system's reveal. With the global launch set for June 5, Nintendo has a tight deadline to resolve these issues before the system hits the market.