Ever since the reveal of the Nintendo Switch 2, fans have been buzzing with excitement and speculation about a small yet intriguing detail from the trailer: the Joy-Cons. The community was particularly fascinated by their apparent use as mouse controllers, similar to those on a PC, and the way they moved in the footage. Now, we have official confirmation on their function: 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. Moreover, two Joy-Cons can be used in mouse mode simultaneously, one in each hand, or one in standard mode with the other in mouse mode. This versatility truly makes the gaming experience customizable to the player's preference.
Nintendo Direct: Nintendo Switch 2 Console Slideshow
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During the Nintendo stream, the capabilities of the Joy-Con in mouse mode were showcased through a sports game reminiscent of Rocket League, called Drag and Drive. This game features robot characters using wheelchair-style vehicles to navigate the court in a thrilling three-on-three basketball match. To play, gamers use two Joy-Con controllers in mouse mode, steering their characters around the levels to score baskets.
The concept of the Joy-Con mouse mode sparked widespread theorizing among fans ever since its appearance in the reveal trailer, where the Joy-Cons were seen sliding around like PC mice. In an attempt to gather more information, we reached out to Firaxis, the developer behind Civilization 7, but received a cryptic response. This feature, along with the new C button, has fueled discussions about the console over the past month, serving as a counterargument to criticisms that the Nintendo Switch 2 was playing it too "safe" compared to Nintendo's usual innovative approach.
For a comprehensive overview of everything announced during today's Nintendo Switch 2 Direct, you can find all the details right here.
