Former Nintendo PR managers Kit Ellis and Krysta Yang have described the recent price hikes for the Switch 2 and Mario Kart World as a “true crisis moment” for Nintendo, citing the company’s handling of the price reveal as “deliberate omission” that caused confusion and misinformation. The pair criticized Nintendo for charging $449.99 for the Switch 2 and $79.99 for various games, including The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, and failing to address concerns through official statements or interviews with the press.
Ellis and Yang pointed out that the lack of a price in the Direct itself was an “intentional omission” that led fans to seek pricing confirmation elsewhere, resulting in speculation and misinformation. They also noted that Nintendo’s communications team has lost control of the situation, allowing rumors to spread unchecked. The former PR managers recommended that Nintendo release an official statement to address concerns, but warned that the approval process would be complex.
The criticism has spilled over into Nintendo’s Treehouse livestreams, with fans spamming “DROP THE PRICE” in the chat. However, neither Ellis nor Yang expect a price drop before launch. Instead, they believe Nintendo needs to regain consumer trust and mindfulness, which may have been lost following former executives’ departures.
As the situation continues to unfold, one thing is clear: Nintendo’s shocking price hikes have sparked a crisis among fans, and it remains to be seen how the company will respond.
Source: https://www.ign.com/articles/former-nintendo-pr-managers-say-switch-2-and-mario-kart-world-price-backlash-a-true-crisis-moment-for-nintendo