Ever since the Nintendo Switch 2 reveal, fans have been buzzing with excitement over a small but intriguing detail from the trailer: the Joy-Cons. Specifically, their potential use as mouse controllers, similar to those on a PC, has captured everyone's attention. Now, we have official confirmation of their innovative functionality: The Joy-Cons can operate in "mouse mode," allowing players to slide them across flat surfaces and use the analog sticks to simulate left-click and right-click actions, much like a standard mouse. This feature offers a new level of interactivity, as two Joy-Cons can be used in mouse mode simultaneously, one in each hand, or one can be in standard mode while the other operates in mouse mode. In essence, the possibilities are endless.
Nintendo Direct: Nintendo Switch 2 Console Slideshow
22 Images
The Nintendo stream showcased the capabilities of the Joy-Con in mouse mode through a sports game reminiscent of Rocket League, featuring robot characters using wheelchair-style vehicles. The game, named Drag and Drive, is a three-on-three basketball game where players use two Joy-Con controllers in mouse mode to navigate their characters around the court and score baskets.
The concept of the Joy-Con mouse mode sparked widespread speculation following the reveal trailer, where the Joy-Cons were seen sliding around in a manner similar to PC mice. In an attempt to gather more details, we reached out to Firaxis, the developer of Civilization 7, but received a cryptic response. This feature, along with the new C button, has fueled extensive discussions about the console over the past month, particularly in response to criticisms that the Nintendo Switch 2 was playing it "safe" compared to Nintendo's traditionally adventurous approach.
You can catch up on all the announcements from today's Nintendo Switch 2 Direct right here.
