"Nintendo Switch 2 Joy-Con Mouse Theory Gains Traction"

The excitement surrounding the Nintendo Switch 2 reveal this morning has reignited rumors that you might be able to use your Joy-Con controllers as a mouse. In the reveal trailer, there's a striking moment where a pair of detached Joy-Cons are shown being placed onto a surface, attachment side down. They connect to a pair of connectors with seemingly flat bottoms and then glide across the surface, much like a mouse on a mouse pad. If you look closely, you can spot what appears to be a slider pad on the bottom of one of the connectors, adding further weight to the theory.

Rumors have been circulating that this functionality could be possible due to a sensor inside the Joy-Cons, akin to the sensor found on the bottom of a computer mouse. However, Nintendo has yet to officially confirm these speculations or elaborate on what such a feature might entail. Fans have speculated that this could enhance gameplay for titles like Civilization, which are traditionally more enjoyable with a mouse and keyboard. Others believe that, given Nintendo's track record, this feature could be used in novel and innovative ways within Nintendo's first-party software. The possibilities remain open-ended.

While many questions about potential mouse support for the Nintendo Switch 2 linger—as well as the function of the mysterious new Joy-Con button—we do have some concrete information. The console is officially named the Nintendo Switch 2 and is set to launch in 2025. A new Mario Kart game is in development for the system, which will also be backward compatible with the original Switch. More details about the software lineup will be unveiled at a Direct in April. You can find all our comprehensive coverage on the Nintendo Switch 2 right here.