Nintendo Switch 2 Joy-Cons Feature Mouse Controls

Since the Nintendo Switch 2 reveal, fans have intensely debated a small detail from the trailer: the Joy-Cons. In particular, their apparent function as mouse-style controllers, mimicking PC mouse movement as seen in the footage. Now, we have official clarification: the Joy-Cons feature a "mouse mode," letting players slide them across flat surfaces while using the analog sticks to perform left- and right-clicks like a standard mouse. What's more, two Joy-Cons can operate together in mouse mode—one in each hand—or you can use one in standard mode alongside another in mouse mode. Truly, the possibilities are wide open.

Nintendo Direct: Nintendo Switch 2 Console Slideshow

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During the Nintendo stream, the Joy-Con's mouse mode was demonstrated with a sports game inspired by Rocket League, featuring robot characters in wheelchair-like vehicles. The game, Drag and Drive, is a 3-on-3 basketball-style experience. To play, you use two Joy-Con controllers in mouse mode to steer your character across the court and shoot the ball into the basket.

The Joy-Con's mouse functionality has been a topic of fan speculation ever since the reveal trailer showed them gliding like PC mice. Hoping for more details, we reached out to Firaxis, the developer behind Civilization 7, and received a rather enigmatic reply. Features such as this and the new C button have sparked lively discussions over the past month, countering claims that the Nintendo Switch 2 is playing it too safe compared to Nintendo's usual innovative approach.

You can review all the announcements from today’s Nintendo Switch 2 Direct right here.