Former Blizzard Executive Expresses Disinterest in Switch 2

Mike Ybarra, a former executive at Blizzard and Xbox, had a blunt reaction to the Nintendo Switch 2, simply calling it a “hard pass.” Following Nintendo’s hour-long Direct presentation on April 2, not everyone’s enthusiasm matched the unveilings. The Switch 2 has encountered some hiccups, attracting criticism even from former industry bigwigs.

Pricing details didn’t feature in Nintendo’s presentation, but they soon came to light through press releases and official listings—causing quite a stir. With the new console priced at $450 in the U.S. and some games edging past the $80 mark, fans weren’t thrilled. Many felt blindsided by the cost and the lack of upfront transparency. This omission led to some ex-Nintendo PR managers labeling the omission disrespectful.

After the Direct, Mike Ybarra took to Twitter to voice his discontent with several aspects of the Switch 2. He lamented over the $80 price tag for games like Mario Kart World and questioned why such a pricey console offered “low frames.” This sentiment wasn’t new among the gaming community; fans flocked to Reddit to air their grievances about the high costs of new games and paying extra for next-gen updates of games they already owned.

Ybarra didn’t hold back on his critique of the Switch 2’s heavy promotion of its in-game chat feature, noting Nintendo’s tardiness in supporting this compared to its competitors. He also disparaged one of the flagship titles, Tears of the Kingdom, comparing its graphics unfavorably to a game from 2000, despite its 4K 60fps promise on the Switch 2. Other former gaming execs echoed his sentiments. Shuhei Yoshida, who previously worked with PlayStation, found the Direct lacking, particularly disappointed by the absence of new game announcements. Yet, he did commend the console’s social features, even as he questioned its hefty price tag.

There’s a notable buzz around the pricing of the Switch 2, specifically with the console and its exclusive games. The $80 price for Mario Kart did raise eyebrows, though adjusting older titles for inflation might bring comparable figures. Still, most other studios keep their prices at $60 to $70. As Nintendo gears up to launch, the debate on these pricing strategies and other features will determine the Switch 2’s market performance—a future that remains uncertain amidst growing criticism.