Update: It seems like Genki may have been approached by legal representatives of Nintendo. Genki told Nintendo’s reps they had not signed an NDA (non-disclosure agreement), and did nothing wrong. I’m sure that’s up for debate, considering they had been telling journalists you could purchase a Switch 2 on the black market.
I spoke with the guy from Genki, just behind me. He 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.
Original Story (January 10th, 2024): If you’re like me, you’re probably getting a bit tired of talking (and reading) about accessory maker Genki. They’re at CES 2025 showing off their Switch 2 accessories, complete with a dummy unit that, up until now, was believed to have been based on real hardware. Now, however, Genki has told Japanese outlet GameSpark that the unit they’re showing off is actually only based on leaked industry information, and that they don’t have a real Switch 2 unit—nor have they even seen one in-person.
Genki perhaps exaggerated its connection to the Switch 2, although the company is definitely working on accessories for the new console. Nintendo‘s only comment on the matter is that the Switch 2 dummy unit shown off at CES 2025 was “not official” (but no one was claiming it was).
It’s not unusual for accessory makers to begin developing products for unreleased hardware without direct access to it. Some manufacturers, restricted by NDAs with Nintendo, can’t disclose any details about the Switch 2 or their projects. Meanwhile, leaks from those with insider information often reach companies without direct ties to Nintendo.
A key concern now is whether Genki’s design specs will match the actual Switch 2. Incorrect assumptions could lead to expensive mistakes for the company, leaving their accessories unusable if they won’t fit the Switch 2 hardware.
For now, the usability of Genki’s products will remain unclear until Nintendo officially unveils the console. Any day now, right?