🥷 The Rumours Were True: Nintendo Has Its Own “Ninja” Department
It turns out the long-standing rumours about Nintendo’s mysterious “Ninja” team weren’t just fan fiction.
According to former Nintendo of America employees Kit Ellis and Krysta Yang, the company does in fact have a dedicated internal security unit whose main mission is to track and stop information leaks.
Speaking on their podcast, the ex-staffers revealed that this so-called “Nintendo Ninja” team is responsible for investigating any unauthorised release of game data, internal files, or future product plans — and they take it very seriously.
🔒 A Culture of Tight Security
Ellis and Yang explained that Nintendo deliberately keeps internal teams small and highly confidential to reduce leak risks. Even within the company, employees are often kept in the dark about projects they’re not directly involved in.
The “Ninja” team reportedly springs into action the moment early footage or details of upcoming titles surface online, tracing the source of the breach and enforcing strict disciplinary measures.
While the name “Nintendo Ninja” might sound playful, their job is anything but. “They’re not in costume or anything,” Yang joked, “but they definitely make people nervous.”
💾 Past Leaks Sparked Tighter Controls
Nintendo’s obsession with secrecy is rooted in past data breaches.
Back in June 2024, a Google contractor was caught using admin access to infiltrate Nintendo’s private YouTube account, uncovering confidential details about Yoshi’s Crafted World before it was officially revealed at E3 2017.
The leak appeared on Reddit, causing major embarrassment for Nintendo.
Following the incident, the company pledged at a shareholder meeting to strengthen cybersecurity, work with external experts, and implement stricter employee training on data protection.
🧩 A Lesson in Digital Discipline
Nintendo’s “Ninja” team might sound like something out of a stealth game, but it reflects how seriously major gaming companies treat information security in an era where even the smallest leak can go viral.
As Ellis put it, “Nintendo doesn’t mess around with secrets — if something leaks, someone’s definitely getting a call.”
Source: YouTube