Ex-Blizzard Boss Mike Ybarra Criticizes Switch 2 Pricing and Performance
Mike Ybarra, former Blizzard president and ex-Microsoft executive, has expressed strong disapproval of the Nintendo Switch 2, calling it a “hard pass” for him. Following Nintendo’s April 2 Direct, which introduced the new console, Ybarra took to Twitter to criticize both the pricing and performance of the system.
The Switch 2 will retail for $450 in the U.S., with some games priced at $80 or more, sparking backlash from fans and industry veterans alike. Ybarra particularly criticized the high cost of games like *Mario Kart World*, as well as the system’s performance, noting that it seemed to offer “low frames” despite being marketed as a next-gen console.
He also took issue with the console’s 4K 60fps output, calling *Tears of the Kingdom* “a game from 2000” in comparison to current performance standards. Other former executives, like ex-PlayStation’s Shuhei Yoshida, also voiced disappointment with the Switch 2 Direct, citing a lack of new game announcements and questioning the high price tag.
While some console features, such as in-game chat, have been praised, the overall reaction to the Switch 2’s pricing and performance has been mixed. It remains to be seen how these concerns will impact the console’s sales when it launches.
