‘I’ll Pass’: Former Blizzard Executive Shares Thoughts on Switch 2

Mike Ybarra, a former top executive at Blizzard and Xbox, didn’t mince words when he called the Nintendo Switch 2 a “hard pass.” For some, the latest Nintendo Direct, which aired on April 2, was full of exciting announcements. However, it wasn’t all good news for everyone, particularly with the Switch 2. Since its reveal, the console has sparked some considerable debate, especially among seasoned industry leaders.

Nintendo chose to withhold pricing details during the live stream, revealing them later through press releases and official listings, which didn’t sit well with many potential buyers. The upcoming console is set to retail at $450 in the United States, and certain games are priced upwards of $80, which sparked outrage and disappointment. Former Nintendo PR managers were particularly vocal, branding Nintendo’s approach as “disrespectful” for not addressing these important details upfront.

After the event, Ybarra took to Twitter to express his dissatisfaction. He criticized the $80 price tag for games like Mario Kart World and lamented the console’s costs, particularly given its “low frames,” indicating performance issues. He’s not alone in his criticism; fans have quickly voiced their displeasure on Reddit, pointing out the steep pricing for the console and the additional costs for next-gen upgrades of already-owned titles.

Ybarra didn’t stop there. He slammed the heavy marketing of the in-game chat feature on the Switch 2, noting that Nintendo lagged behind other companies in this area. He further criticized the visuals, saying that even though Tears of the Kingdom operates at 4K and 60fps, it still “looks like a game from 2000.” Similar sentiments were echoed by other industry veterans. Former PlayStation executive Shuhei Yoshida described the Switch 2 Direct as “underwhelming,” especially due to a lack of fresh game announcements. He was particularly taken aback by the high prices, though he did commend the console’s social capabilities.

Pricing has been a focal point of the heated debate surrounding the Switch 2. While some advocate that $80 isn’t outrageous when adjusting legacy Mario Kart titles for inflation, others argue that most major studios have maintained a $60 to $70 benchmark. The impact of these controversial pricing strategies and other debated features on the console’s success remains to be seen, but the buzz suggests it’s not the reaction Nintendo anticipated.