Switch 2 replica leaker has had a talking to from Nintendo lawyers-Michael Beckwith-Entertainment – Metro

What did Genki think was going to happen? (Capcom/Metro)

It sounds like Nintendo is unhappy with all the Switch 2 leaks, as they set their lawyers on replica maker Genki.

Information about the Nintendo Switch 2 has been leaking with such regularity in the last few months that it’s kind of surprising Nintendo hadn’t said anything sooner.

After more than a month of screenshots and video footage popping up online, Nintendo finally broke its silence when accessory company Genki showed off its own replica of the Switch 2 during CES 2025.

Anyone who thought it odd, that Genki was risking the wrath of the notoriously litigious Nintendo, will be unsurprised to learn that apparently lawyers did get involved – and yet Genki still remains strangely unconcerned.

Genki has stated it never signed any non-disclosure agreement with Nintendo, so it’s not as if it leaked confidential details it had previously been trusted with.

In fact, Genki has also admitted that its Switch 2 replica is based purely on the rumoured and leaked information that’s been swirling around online, rather than insider info from Nintendo.

This is according to French journalist Julien Tellouck, who spoke with a Genki representative at CES and shared what he heard via a YouTube Short.

‘[A Genki representative] told me that Nintendo had already sent lawyers their way. But Genki has nothing to worry about because they’ve never signed any papers with Nintendo, no confidentiality agreement, no NDA. So, the Japanese brand is in the clear,’ explained Tellouck (as translated by The Game Post).

However, this doesn’t explains why Genki would want to do any of this, since it was obvious how much it would upset Nintendo. They’re not the sort of company to forgive and forget and Genki has gained very little from it all, beyond a few minutes of internet of fame.

Genki’s mock-up lines up with what we’re all expecting the Switch 2 to look like now, based on the rumours. Although, it didn’t have magnetic Joy-Cons and the mystery ‘C’ button wasn’t named as such.

Ironically, Nintendo’s lawyers getting involved and the lack of a denial about the replica’s accuracy only give it more validity. Although it sounds like the leaks haven’t put a dent in the company’s plans.

Kit Ellis, Nintendo of America’s former senior public relations manager, has suggested that while Nintendo isn’t happy with all the leaks, it’s more important that none of the Switch 2’s games are revealed early.

‘Once they announce this thing, and show games, and they’re off to the races, and they’re sharing their information… a lot of this is going to be in the rear view mirror,’ said Ellis (per GamesRadar).

People have their suspicions, though. Product listings from third party studios have since sprung up and while the games’ identities aren’t explicit, you can make some educated guesses as to what they are.

However, Nintendo’s plans for its own first party titles remain a complete mystery, which is no doubt the priority. After all, those will be the real draw that will get most people excited for the Switch 2.

As for when Nintendo will actually announce the new console, the popular theory is that it will happen by the end of January. So, hopefully, we’ll at least hear something more official in the coming weeks.

At this point, it’d be more surprising if the Switch 2 doesn’t look like this (X)

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