Ex-PlayStation President: 'Nintendo Switch 2 Reveal Was Underwhelming'

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 was notably tempered, suggesting that he felt Nintendo's latest offering was somewhat underwhelming.

Yoshida expressed that the Switch 2's reveal sent a "mixed message" from Nintendo. He believes that Nintendo is at risk of losing its unique identity, known for creating groundbreaking experiences by integrating hardware and game design. According to Yoshida, the Switch 2, despite being a more powerful version of the original with a larger screen, higher resolution, and capabilities like 4K and 120 fps, essentially follows the industry norm of simply making incremental improvements.

Special guest Shuhei Yoshida gets real about the Switch 2 pic.twitter.com/CzZYPnTtue

— Easy Allies (@EasyAllies) April 14, 2025

He acknowledged that for gamers who primarily play on Nintendo platforms, the Switch 2 is a welcome upgrade, especially with the ability to play games like Elden Ring that were previously unavailable. However, for those who also game on other systems, the excitement is somewhat diminished.

Yoshida pointed out that the reveal event, watched by millions, showcased many games that were ports from previous generations, which left him questioning Nintendo's direction and the choices of third-party publishers. He was particularly enthusiastic about "Enter the Gungeon 2," praising its announcement and development.

Additionally, Yoshida commended "Drag x Drive" for embodying a "very Nintendo" feel, yet he expressed personal disappointment in the overall reveal, suggesting that the anticipation for a "better Switch" was met but did not exceed expectations.

As the conversation continued, Yoshida recognized the Switch 2 as a smart business move, crediting the technical enhancements to the work of highly skilled designers. However, he noted that the system plays it safe, which might be the right strategy but could be disappointing for fans of Nintendo's more unconventional offerings. He did highlight features like camera and mouse controls as glimpses of Nintendo's playful side.

Yoshida also touched on the Switch 2's pricing, noting differences between Japan and the rest of the world, though the specific U.S. pricing remains uncertain. Nintendo has paused North American pre-orders due to impending tariffs, announced on the same day as the system's reveal. With a global launch scheduled for June 5, Nintendo faces a tight deadline to resolve these issues before the release.