The Switch 2’s Joy-Cons can double as mouse-like controllers

Nintendo just dropped a boatload of Switch 2 news. We got the release date, which is June 5, and plenty of details. The company also pulled the lid off a mysterious Joy-Con feature. The rumors were right. They can double as mouse-like controllers.

One Joy-Con can be used as a traditional controller, held vertically, while the other slides along the table as a mouse. This could allow for near-perfect ports of Wii and Wii U games that relied on motion control, in addition to ports of PC titles. A Joy-Con will also combine with the gyroscope for unique gameplay experiences.

Nintendo.
Nintendo

The good use case here should be first-person shooters. Computer mouse controllers offer a level of precision that consoles have typically struggled to match, but this looks like an attempt to address this particular issue. It could even make the Switch 2 a powerhouse for franchises like Civilization. As a matter of fact, the company announced a port of Civilization VII

The company revealed that a Switch 2 version of Metroid Prime 4 will use this feature. Nintendo might also release games that make special use of this functionality down the line. It also pulled the lid off a game called Drag x Drive that's controlled via mouse Joy-Con. 

a game.
Nintendo

The company even showed off nifty-looking demos, but these look mostly like mini-games. I, for one, would very much like a new Mario Paint.

Nintendo
Nintendo

The company also revealed another tool for the Switch 2. This is the mysterious "C" button. The button calls up voice chat. Finally, a Nintendo console with easy voice chat.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/nintendo/the-switch-2s-joy-cons-can-double-as-mouse-like-controllers-133355339.html?src=rss https://www.engadget.com/gaming/nintendo/the-switch-2s-joy-cons-can-double-as-mouse-like-controllers-133355339.html?src=rss
Created 1mo | Apr 2, 2025, 2:10:08 PM


Login to add comment

Other posts in this group

Hackers have gained access to the membership data of UK retailer Co-op

A hacking group called "DragonForce" has gained access to Co-op's membership data, the UK retailer and insurance provider

May 2, 2025, 9:50:13 PM | Engadget
The White House's proposed budget would cancel NASA's Gateway space station project

The Trump administration's preliminary 2026 budget

May 2, 2025, 9:50:11 PM | Engadget
Google I/O 2025: What to expect from Android 16, Android XR and Gemini

In a couple of weeks, Google's annual developer conference will kick off on May

May 2, 2025, 9:50:10 PM | Engadget
How to watch Google I/O 2025 and The Android Show

Google's annual I/O developer conference is coming on May 20, and for the first time, there's two major events you'll want to watch to stay on top of all the updates the company's making to its sof

May 2, 2025, 9:50:09 PM | Engadget
NotebookLM, the acceptable face of Google AI, is getting an app in May

NotebookLM, the Google research tool that gained notoriety for its uncanny AI-generated podcasts, is getting an official app on May 20, 2025. You can pre-register for the

May 2, 2025, 7:30:18 PM | Engadget
Ask Engadget: Is it a good time to move to Macs from Windows?

Q: I'm a Gen X Windows user, I've been building my own systems for decades, and I work mainly in 3D design for the building and construction industry. I would like to

May 2, 2025, 5:20:10 PM | Engadget