If you watched the Nintendo Switch 2 announcement video, you might have noticed what appeared to be a 'mouse' mode for the Joy-Cons.
In the trailer, there's a scene where a pair of detached Joy-Cons are placed on a flat surface with the attachment side facing down. They connect to a set of connectors that have relatively flat bases, and then glide across the surface like a computer mouse on a mouse pad. On closer inspection, you can even spot what looks like a slider pad on the bottom of one connector, adding more weight to the theory.
Prior to the Nintendo Switch 2 reveal, rumors had been circulating that this would be made possible by a sensor inside the Joy-Cons, similar to the one found at the bottom of a computer mouse. So far, however, Nintendo has not officially confirmed this feature or its potential implications.
Nintendo Switch 2 - First Look
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One of the first upcoming video games that came to mind after the reveal was Firaxis’ Civilization 7. The 4X strategy game is already confirmed for the original Switch, and it will undoubtedly be playable on the Switch 2 through backward compatibility. But could there be a dedicated Switch 2 version that leverages the new Joy-Con functionality, allowing you to play Civilization 7 as if using a mouse?
IGN mentioned the Switch 2 reveal and its apparent mouse support during a recent interview with Civilization 7 lead designer Ed Beach and executive producer Dennis Shirk. While Beach remained silent, Shirk gave a playful response that's bound to fuel further speculation.
“It is definitely intriguing,” Shirk teased. “You always have to make some compromises when working with pure console controls. The announcement has some exciting features. I love what they're doing with the controllers. It's all very cool. That's about all I can say about it in terms of my opinion. I think it looks fantastic, and they’re on the right track, so something like that would be very cool.”
Of course, Firaxis isn’t going to announce a Nintendo Switch 2 version of Civilization 7 — that announcement will come from publisher 2K Games. But with a Switch 2 Direct scheduled for this April, we may find out the answer soon.
While there's still much we don't know about potential mouse support for the Switch 2 (as well as what the mysterious new Joy-Con button does), we do know that Nintendo's next-gen console is arriving in 2025 (most likely between June and September) and a new Mario Kart game is in development for it. You can catch up on all our Nintendo Switch 2 coverage right here.
