Clicking into the Future Nintendo Switch 2’s Built-In Mouse Controls
With its official launch date set for June 5, 2025, the new mouse controls are one of the most talked-about innovations of the Nintendo Switch 2. It isn’t a separate peripheral, but a function built right into its new controllers. Having gone hands on with the Joy-Con 2 controller, I am amazed. While there isn’t a dedicated Nintendo Switch 2 mouse accessory, the redesigned Joy-Con 2 controllers themselves possess the surprising ability to function as mice and they do it very well.
How Do the Joy-Con 2 Controllers Work as Mice?
Optical Sensors: Each Joy-Con 2 controller is equipped with an optical sensor located on the flat edge that magnetically attaches to the console.
Surface Sliding: By placing this edge flat on a surface – like a desk, table, or even, as Nintendo suggests, your pants – and sliding it, you can control an on-screen cursor much like a traditional computer mouse.
Button Input: The shoulder buttons ZL and ZR function as the primary mouse click buttons.
Combined Sensors: The system likely uses a combination of the optical sensor and the built-in accelerometers and gyroscopes for movement tracking.
Magnetic Attachment: The Joy-Con 2 now attach magnetically to the console, replacing the physical rail system of the original Switch which is one of the biggest upgrades for me.
Will the mouse even be useful or used?
Nintendo has already showcased several titles demonstrating this new control scheme so I think it’s safe to say it will be used.
Metroid Prime 4: Beyond : Mouse mode can be used for more precise aiming with Samus Aran’s arm cannon, offering an alternative to traditional stick aiming or gyro controls. At first I struggled with this but as I played it became more enjoyable and smooth.
Mario Party Jamboree: Specific mini-games within this title will utilize the mouse function for cursor control. I had limited time trying Mario Party.
Civilization VII: Using the mouse mimics playing on a personal computer and was a great experience. By far my favourite game I tried in mouse mode.
Drag x Drive: This unique title, resembling wheelchair basketball with robots, requires players to use both Joy-Con 2 controllers in mouse mode simultaneously to control the wheels and propel their character. I really enjoyed this game once you get past the mechanics it’s an absolute blast.
Beyond these confirmed examples, the potential applications are significant. Strategy games, point-and-click adventures, and PC ports that heavily rely on mouse input could become much more intuitive and enjoyable on the Nintendo Switch 2. Games that previously used the touchscreen for precision in handheld mode, like Super Mario Maker 2 or Dragon Quest Builders 2, could now have a viable docked alternative for fine control in 4K beauty.
Joy-Con mouse takeaways
There is no standalone Nintendo Switch 2 mouse. Instead, Nintendo has embedded mouse functionality directly into the Joy-Con 2 controllers launching with the console on June 5, 2025. This innovative feature offers intriguing possibilities for enhancing precision in shooters, streamlining strategy game interfaces, and potentially making PC ports feel more natural, which I have been waiting for. While practical limitations and the need for specific game support exist, the Joy-Con 2’s mouse mode represents a unique evolution in Nintendo’s approach to controller design and interaction. Its true impact will become clearer as more games utilizing the feature are released and players experience it firsthand.
I have a feeling this feature will become a fan favourite by all.