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. Speculation ran rampant about their potential use as mouse controllers, akin to those on a PC, based on how they moved in the trailer. Now, we have the official word: The Joy-Cons can indeed operate in "mouse mode." This innovative feature allows players to slide the Joy-Cons across flat surfaces, using the analog sticks to simulate left-click and right-click functions, much like a standard mouse. Furthermore, players can use two Joy-Cons simultaneously in mouse mode, one in each hand, or mix it up with one in standard mode and the other in mouse mode. The possibilities are endless.
Nintendo Direct: Nintendo Switch 2 Console Slideshow
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The Nintendo stream showcased the Joy-Con's mouse mode capabilities through a sports game reminiscent of Rocket League, featuring robot characters in wheelchair-style vehicles. Named "Drag and Drive," this game is a thrilling three-on-three basketball experience. To play, gamers use two Joy-Con controllers in mouse mode to maneuver their characters around the levels, aiming to score by sinking the ball into the basket.
The Joy-Con's mouse-like functionality sparked fan theories from the moment the reveal trailer showed them sliding around, similar to PC mice. In our quest for more information, we reached out to Firaxis, the developers behind Civilization 7, and received a cryptic response that only fueled further speculation. Features like the mouse mode and the new C button have kept the conversation lively over the past month, serving as a counterpoint to critiques that the Nintendo Switch 2 was playing it too "safe" compared to Nintendo's traditionally bold innovations.
You can catch up on all the announcements from today's Nintendo Switch 2 Direct right here.
