"Ex-PlayStation President Reacts to Nintendo Switch 2 Reveal: 'Expected More'"

Former Sony Interactive Entertainment Worldwide Studios president Shuhei Yoshida recently shared his thoughts on the Nintendo Switch 2's reveal during an interview with Easy Allies. His response was notably tempered, expressing a sense of mixed feelings about the new console.

Yoshida remarked, "To me, it was a bit mixed message from Nintendo. In a sense, I think Nintendo is losing their identity, in my opinion. For me, they are always about creating some new experience, like designing hardware and games together to create something that [is an] amazing new experience. But Switch 2, as we all anticipated, is a better Switch, right? It's the larger screen, more powerful processor, higher resolution, 4K, 120 fps, they even have a hardware person starting the stream, like other platforms do, right? And because it's a better Switch, the core premise of the whole Switch 2 is, you know, 'We made things better'. And that's something other companies have been doing all the time."

Yoshida highlighted that while the Switch 2 is an exciting upgrade for those who exclusively game on Nintendo hardware, it might not be as thrilling for those who play on other platforms. He pointed out the reveal event, which attracted millions of viewers, but noted that many of the showcased games were ports from previous generations. He was particularly impressed with "Enter the Gungeon 2," praising its announcement and the game's overall appeal. He also complimented "Drag x Drive" for embodying the quintessential Nintendo spirit.

Regarding the console's pricing, Yoshida discussed the differences between Japan and other regions but expressed personal disappointment that the Switch 2 did not bring the unexpected innovation that Nintendo fans often anticipate. He acknowledged, however, that the technical enhancements were likely the result of intelligent and talented designers making strategic business decisions.

The discussion touched on the broader sentiment that while the Switch 2 plays it safe with its improvements, it may not fully satisfy fans looking for Nintendo's signature eccentricity. However, features like mouse controls suggest that elements of Nintendo's playful nature remain.

As for the Switch 2's pricing in the U.S., Yoshida's interview did not provide specifics, and Nintendo has paused North American pre-orders due to new tariffs announced on the same day as the system's reveal. With a global launch scheduled for June 5, the company is under pressure to resolve these issues swiftly.