As we all heard rumors about the new Nintendo Switch 2, little did we know that some of these rumors would turn out to be true.
Finally, a patent filed by Nintendo back in 2023, published recently on February 6, 2025, allegedly indicates the design for the new Switch 2 Joy-Con controller, and guess what? It can be used as a mouse; you heard it right.
New Joy-Con controllers will have mouse-like capabilities, although it is unclear how and when these will be used. Will it just act like a traditional mouse, or will it be a somewhat mouse with minimal features? Nintendo is yet to shed light on this.
Till then, let’s see what the patent shows.
Key Specifications
Here’s what the input device means, as per the patent
“This input device comprises a front surface, an upper surface, a first side surface, a second side surface, a direction input unit, a first upper surface button, and a sensor for mouse operation. The first side surface is on one side in the left-right direction. The second side surface is on the other side in the left-right direction. The direction input unit is provided on the front surface. The first upper surface button is provided on the upper surface and can be pressed around a first rotation axis extending in a direction in which components in the left-right direction are included. The sensor for mouse operation detects reflected light from a detected surface, the light changing by moving over the detected surface in a state in which either the first side surface or the second side surface is placed on the detected surface.”
As you can see, the patent drawings indicate a mouse-like thing being held in hand. The patent details show that the Joy-Con is supposed to have a sensor needed for mouse operations.
It won’t be wrong if I say that some of us gamers have already guessed it since the first reveal video for the Switch 2 was released. It showed controllers sliding, which somehow resonates like a mouse, but we were too naive to predict if it could ever come with mouse functions.
I mean, I do get it. Game consoles are supposed to be just Game consoles. Still, this idea could benefit the new Switch 2, making it another remarkable feature besides backward compatibility and other important features.
When is it coming out?
For more details, we need to wait for another Nintendo Direct, which is set to be on April 2, 2025.
