Kit and Krysta finally did what many longtime fans were hoping for. They brought Shuhei Yoshida onto their podcast. Known for his time as President of PlayStation’s Worldwide Studios and later as head of PlayStation Indies, Yoshida has always been one of the most relatable figures in the gaming industry. He’s not just a suit. He’s a gamer at heart, and that comes through in every answer.
If you’re not familiar, Kit Ellis and Krysta Yang are former Nintendo of America employees best known for hosting Nintendo Minute. Since leaving the company, they’ve launched their own YouTube channel and podcast where they share stories from their time at Nintendo, talk about the latest gaming news, and bring on guests from across the industry.
This episode felt like a rare chance to hear someone speak freely after years of corporate filters. Now that he’s left Sony, Yoshida isn’t tied to the usual PR playbook. That freedom led to some thoughtful, honest answers about Nintendo, game pricing, the evolution of PlayStation, and the shifting habits of gamers today. It’s not often you get such a clear, direct look at how a major industry figure really thinks.
There’s a lot to unpack in this interview, but three topics stood out. First, Yoshida gave insight into how PlayStation views Nintendo, and why the two companies rarely compete head-to-head, except in Japan. Second, he opened up about AAA game budgets, why some games are now priced at 80 USD dollars, and how that affects creativity. Finally, he shared his concerns and hopes for the future of gaming, especially when it comes to younger audiences, indie developers, and new tech like the Nintendo Switch 2’s camera-based features.
It’s a conversation worth paying attention to, not just for PlayStation or Nintendo fans, but for anyone interested in where the industry is headed next.
Nintendo and PlayStation: A Respectful Rivalry
One of the most interesting parts of the conversation was hearing how PlayStation actually views Nintendo. According to Shuhei Yoshida, Nintendo isn’t really seen as direct competition, at least not outside of Japan. Internally, Sony focuses more on Xbox as a rival. That’s because PlayStation and Xbox both target similar audiences, with high-performance consoles and big-budget games aimed at older teens and adults.
Nintendo, by contrast, has always followed a different path. Yoshida pointed out how Nintendo’s focus is more about fun and creativity than raw tech specs. He mentioned that Nintendo bundles extra controllers with their hardware, encourages family play, and often reaches audiences that Sony doesn’t. While PlayStation and Xbox compare specs and market share, Nintendo takes a different approach, and Yoshida genuinely admires that.
That doesn’t mean there’s no competition. In Japan, where Xbox struggles to gain traction, it’s Nintendo and Sony going head-to-head. Yoshida said that in that region, PlayStation staff definitely see Nintendo as a competitor. But globally, Sony views Nintendo more as an industry ally than a direct rival.
Yoshida also praised Nintendo’s innovations over the years. He called Super Mario 64 groundbreaking for how it introduced 3D movement to game design. He acknowledged the Wii era as a golden age that even pushed Sony to explore motion controls with PlayStation Move. And more recently, he was amazed by the Nintendo Switch 2’s ability to track four players using just one camera, something that wasn’t possible when Sony tried similar tech during the PS3 era.
This part of the interview made it clear: even at the highest levels, there’s a deep respect between these companies. The rivalry exists, but so does mutual inspiration.
Game Prices, AAA Budgets, and the Cost of Creativity
Shuhei Yoshida didn’t shy away from the topic of game pricing, even diving into the recent discussion around Mario Kart World launching at 80 USD dollars. While some fans saw that price as too high, Yoshida defended it. He explained that pricing should reflect the value a game offers, and that it’s up to publishers to decide what makes sense. Not every game has to be the same price, and not every player sees value the same way.
He compared it to other entertainment costs. Movie tickets have gone up. Streaming services have added ads or raised their prices. Meanwhile, many games still offer dozens, or even hundreds, of hours of content for a one-time purchase. In his view, that’s still a strong deal if the game delivers what you’re looking for.
But he also acknowledged the pushback. He’s heard the criticisms that pricing feels out of touch for some, especially during times of inflation and higher living costs. His take wasn’t dismissive, it was more of a reminder that pricing varies for a reason, and gamers have the option to wait for sales if a launch price doesn’t feel right.
Yoshida also talked about the cost behind the scenes. In the PS3 to PS4 era, bigger budgets often meant safer bets, since the returns could be just as big. But moving into the PS5 generation, development costs have doubled in some cases without a clear way to offset them. That’s led to fewer AAA games and more pressure on each one to succeed.
He worries this trend is unsustainable. Without proper limits, it becomes harder to take risks and that’s where the industry could lose its creative spark. When risk-taking disappears, innovation often does too.
The Future of Gaming: Indies, Variety, and Innovation
One of the most thoughtful parts of the interview came when Kit and Krysta asked about where the industry is heading. Yoshida didn’t hold back, he’s both concerned and hopeful. On one hand, he’s uneasy about the growing trend of gamers sticking to a single game for years. Games like Fortnite and Roblox dominate so much time that some gamers don’t explore beyond them. His own daughters, for example, have spent the past five years on one mobile game, mostly because that’s where their friends are.
He sees that shift as part of a larger cultural change. Gaming used to be about moving from one new experience to the next, trying different genres and platforms. Now, social play and service games are locking people in. Yoshida doesn’t see that as wrong, but he worries that it limits how people discover new ideas and gameplay styles.
That’s part of why he continues to champion indie games. He mentioned Viewfinder by name, calling it a reminder that surprising, creative games still exist. He believes indie developers push boundaries in ways bigger studios often can’t. It’s also why he continues to work with publishers like Kepler Interactive and a new studio formed by former Annapurna Interactive staff.
Yoshida is also optimistic about how technology can drive change. He pointed out the Nintendo Switch 2’s ability to track four faces with a single camera. This was something that felt impossible back when PlayStation was trying similar features. He sees that kind of advancement as the spark that enables new gameplay ideas.
For him, the future of gaming depends on variety. Not just in hardware, but in game types, scope, and pricing. It’s the only way to keep gaming from becoming stale and the only way to keep it fun.
Final Thoughts: A Gamer at Every Level
The interview ended with one final reminder of what sets Shuhei Yoshida apart from most executives in the industry. Toward the end of the conversation, Kit and Krysta brought up something they had always admired. Yoshida never felt like a distant executive. Whether he was heading up PlayStation Studios or working with indie teams, he was known for showing up at events, trying out games on the floor, and chatting with developers and fans alike. His answer to that? He’s a gamer first. Always has been.
Yoshida shared that even during tough workdays, he’d go home and play games. Not to keep up appearances, but because that’s what he enjoys. As he put it, when you love something, you naturally put in extra effort. It’s why he was always thinking about why certain games resonated more than others, even long before he joined the industry.
Now that he’s no longer at Sony, Yoshida is free to take on the projects that excite him most. He advises indie publishers, helps review pitches, and works with teams he respects. For him, it’s not about chasing headlines or staying in the spotlight. It’s about staying connected to the creative side of gaming and helping new voices succeed.
That mindset came through in every part of the conversation. Whether he was reflecting on Nintendo’s strengths, discussing the dangers of runaway budgets, or celebrating small studios doing big things, Yoshida kept coming back to one idea: gaming needs balance. That means a mix of small and large studios, bold ideas and tradition, and creative goals alongside business needs.
In a time when many gaming leaders are behind the scenes, it’s refreshing to hear from someone who still shows up, still plays everything, and still cares. Yoshida may no longer be at PlayStation, but his love for games hasn’t gone anywhere.
What did you think of Shuhei Yoshida’s thoughts on Nintendo, pricing, and the future of gaming? Let us know in the comments.
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