Nintendo shadow dropped Star Fox Switch 2 game to "screw with" leaker, says insider

Followers of a popular Switch 2 leaker weren’t surprised by the Star Fox shadow drop. Still, after NateTheHate’s predicted April reveal didn’t come to fruition, some fans began to doubt his claims. Another insider believes that Nintendo marketing shifted its plans in response to the leak.

The Mario-maker's revenge?

Reece “Kiwi Talkz” Reilly has also shed insight into the development of confidential projects. On social media, he responded to a poster who was confused by the sudden Star Fox Switch 2 announcement. According to Kiwi Talkz, the company “did it to screw with Nate pretty much, Nintendo are very petty at times.”

Not everyone is certain that NateTheHate influenced the altered schedule. Even so, his claims gained mainstream recognition, with reputable sites reporting on Fox McCloud’s return. While many rumors surface about the gaming giant, few sources have been as consistently reliable. Previously, NateTheHate shared that Nintendo would unveil its latest console in January 2025.

Late in March, former Nintendo marketer Kit Ellis addressed the leaks, which also include an Ocarina of Time remake. The now podcaster commented, “I can promise you Nintendo is absolutely furious about this.” Ellis thinks that the secretive operation is desperate to find the origin of these revelations.

Impromptu marketing

If the Star Fox Switch 2 shadow drop was a reaction to the insider, it only delayed the news. Still, the move temporarily caused fans to doubt NateTheHate’s credibility. Also, after keeping audiences in suspense, the company could at least showcase the game on its own terms.

It’s unclear whether a 10-minute notice for a Star Fox broadcast was always the plan. Yet it does follow a pattern of less predictable marketing. In the past, gamers waited for a Direct featuring multiple titles, usually with at least 1-2 days' notice. More recently, social media and the Today! mobile app have become more of a priority.

Other NateTheHate leaks forecast a general Nintendo Direct in June, where Switch 2 games like the Zelda remake could appear. That said, given the company’s change in tactics, it’s not a guarantee.