Hideki Kamiya is Disappointed With 1 Switch 2 Design Choice in Particular

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Hideki Kamiya, a game designer and director, has expressed a concern about a missing feature on the Nintendo Switch 2, particularly when playing it as a handheld device. While the Nintendo Switch 2 is a highly anticipated and successful console, it’s still receiving some criticism, even from people within the gaming industry.

Hideki Kamiya is a highly influential figure in the gaming world, known for creating or leading the development of many of Capcom’s most popular games in the late 90s and early 2000s. He directed titles like Resident Evil 2, Devil May Cry, Okami, and Viewtiful Joe, and also contributed to the original design of Resident Evil Zero. After leaving Capcom in 2006, he co-founded Platinum Games, where he worked until 2023. He has now established Clovers Inc., which is currently developing a sequel to Okami.

Hideki Kamiya has a Problem with Nintendo Switch 2 Hardware

Hideki Kamiya, a well-known game developer, has expressed some frustration with the Nintendo Switch 2’s Joy-Con controllers. He’s found that the absence of a traditional D-pad makes playing older games feel awkward. Kamiya was one of the first to receive a Switch 2, winning a lottery for a launch-day console, which he initially gave to his niece. After recently purchasing her a second Switch 2 and getting his original one back, he’s noticed the D-pad issue. He prefers to play games lying down, which means he’s forced to use the Joy-Cons, and the lack of a D-pad impacts his enjoyment.

Credits: Nintendo

Nintendo has faced this issue before – the original Switch Joy-Cons, released in 2017, also lacked a D-pad, as noted by Kamiya. While the new Switch 2 allows mixing and matching Joy-Cons, older Joy-Cons won’t physically connect to the console itself because of their size and connector type. Players can use a Pro Controller, but it’s not ideal for handheld play. Alternatively, they can buy a third-party controller that includes a D-pad.

Kamiya found a way to play games like Tetris 99 daily, but it required some effort. He’d bought an accessory for his original Switch and modified it to work while the console was undocked. While not everyone would go to such lengths for a custom controller experience on the new Switch, Kamiya hinted he enjoyed making the modification more than actually using it. He even admitted that his tendency to talk about crafting instead of games probably showed he was more passionate about building things than playing them.

Image via Nintendo

The Nintendo Switch 2 has been incredibly successful since launching on June 5th, despite some critiques. It sold 6 million units in its first 25 days – more than twice as many as the original Switch. As of the end of September, Nintendo reported sales reaching 10.36 million. With the holidays over, sales are likely to increase further when Nintendo releases its next sales report. While it’s doing very well, some players think adding a D-pad would make it even more popular.

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2025-12-28 03:04