Ever since the reveal of the Nintendo Switch 2, fans have been buzzing with excitement over a small yet intriguing detail from the trailer: the Joy-Cons. Speculation was rife about their potential use as mouse controllers, similar to those used on a PC, due to the way they were shown moving. Now, we have official confirmation from Nintendo about this innovative feature: the Joy-Cons can indeed operate in "mouse mode." This mode allows players to slide the Joy-Cons across flat surfaces, using the analog sticks to simulate left-click and right-click actions, just like a standard mouse. Furthermore, gamers can use two Joy-Cons simultaneously in mouse mode, one in each hand, or combine one in standard mode with the other in mouse mode, opening up a myriad of gameplay possibilities.
Nintendo Direct: Nintendo Switch 2 Console Slideshow
22 Images
Nintendo showcased the capabilities of the Joy-Con in mouse mode through a sports game reminiscent of Rocket League, featuring robot characters navigating in wheelchair-style vehicles. This game, titled "Drag and Drive," is a thrilling three-on-three basketball game where players use two Joy-Con controllers in mouse mode to maneuver their characters around the court and score baskets.
The Joy-Con's mouse functionality sparked widespread interest ever since the reveal trailer, where the controllers were seen sliding in a manner akin to PC mice. In an attempt to gather more details, 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 extensive discussions about the Nintendo Switch 2 over the past month. These innovations serve as a strong counterargument to any claims that the console is playing it "safe," reaffirming Nintendo's reputation for adventurous and creative design.
For a comprehensive overview of all the announcements made during today's Nintendo Switch 2 Direct, you can catch up right here.
