Shuhei Yoshida Believes Nintendo Is Losing Its Unique Identity with the Upcoming Switch 2

Nintendo recently unveiled the Switch 2. The device boasts upgrades like a larger screen, a more powerful processor, and support for 4K resolution at 120 frames per second. These enhancements aim to deliver a smoother and sharper gaming experience compared to the original Switch. Unlike its predecessor, the Switch 2 also emphasizes third-party games, with titles like Elden Ring now playable on Nintendo hardware for the first time.

Shuhei Yoshida, former head of PlayStation Studios, shared his thoughts on the console during an interview on the Easy Allies Podcast. He expressed concern that Nintendo might be drifting from its roots.

“I think Nintendo is losing their identity in my opinion like, for me, they are always about creating some new experience like designing hardware and games, you know, together to create something that amazing new experience.

But Switch 2, as we all anticipated, is a better Switch, right? It’s a larger screen, more powerful processor, higher resolution — 4K, 120fps…They even had a hardware person starting the stream, y’know, like [what] other platforms do, right?” Yoshida said.

The Switch 2’s reveal highlighted technical improvements, with a hardware expert leading the presentation—a departure from Nintendo’s usual focus on gameplay and creativity. This shift has fueled debates about whether the company is chasing trends set by competitors like PlayStation and Xbox, who often prioritize raw power in their consoles.

The new Joy-Con 2 controllers, which can function like a mouse, hint at fresh gameplay possibilities, but much of the spotlight fell on familiar third-party ports rather than groundbreaking exclusives.

Yoshida noted the appeal for some players. “It’s a more powerful Switch, so it’s great if you had your gaming was only on Nintendo hardware; it’s the first time for you to be able to play amazing games like Elden Ring,” he said.

However, he questioned the strategy behind showcasing older games. “But for us core gamers who own multiple hardware and play games on PlayStation, Xbox, PC the games they showed off especially from third-parties…In theory, it’s amazing to have all these all stars of industry games on Nintendo hardware. However what they showed were like [makes a face] and I was confused.”

Yoshiad continued, ”Because you know, everybody, especially people in the industry like publishers, must have known the show last week Would be the one of the most watched show this year, like millions of people watch So it’s an amazing platform to announce and launch your new game if you had chance, but most of he games are like a ports from past generations. I don’t know if it was Nintendo’s direction or third-parties’ choice.”

For years, Nintendo has carved a niche by blending unique hardware with imaginative games, often prioritizing fun over technical specs. The Switch 2’s upgrades address fan requests for better performance, but some worry it leans too heavily on mimicking competitors. While the console promises versatility, its reliance on ports has left certain gamers wanting more original content.

You can watch the whole interview here:

And here’s the specific part in question here:

What do you think about the Switch 2’s direction? Are you excited for the upgrades, or do you share Yoshida’s concerns? Share your thoughts in the comments below.