Nintendo “Did Not Manage Our Expectations” for Switch 2 and Mario Kart World, per Former PR Manager

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As a devoted Nintendo fan, I can’t help but acknowledge the wave of criticism following the unveiling of the Switch 2. The hefty price tag for the console and the $80 cost of Mario Kart World have raised eyebrows, even though Bill Trinen from Nintendo of America promises it offers the “most immersive Mario Kart experience to date.”

The recent Direct presentation showcased numerous significant revelations and novel elements, but it hasn’t yet managed to change the situation significantly. As stated by former Nintendo of America PR Manager Krysta Yang, the overall strategy was unexpected, representing a scenario where they didn’t meet our anticipation.

In an episode of the Kit and Krysta Podcast, as reported by GamesRadar, Yang expressed surprise at a unique situation with Nintendo: unlike their usual practice, they did not set our expectations. This is something Nintendo was always meticulous about and often cautioned us against using the word ‘surprise.’

Avoid raising someone’s hopes too high so they’re left feeling let down when reality doesn’t meet their expectations, which unfortunately occurred during last week’s Mario Kart Direct. The comments made by [Bill Trinen] and [Doug Bowser] led to inflated expectations that weren’t fully met in the final product.

Even with the current situation, there remains a strong desire for the Switch 2, as evidenced by over 2.2 million people participating in a lottery to pre-order the console at the My Nintendo Store in Japan. However, President Shuntaro Furukawa admitted that this figure far exceeds the number of units they can provide through their storefront on its release day, for which he apologized.

The new Nintendo Switch 2 is set to debut on June 5th, priced at $449.99. A starting package that comes with Mario Kart World will be available for $499.99 until the Fall. Despite tariffs in the US, the console price remains unchanged; however, some accessories have experienced a price increase. For further information, click here.

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2025-04-28 15:41