Switch 2 will have mouse controls, Nintendo finally confirms

Nintendo has finally confirmed that Switch 2 will feature the ability to activate mouse controls.

During its Switch 2 Nintendo Direct presentation, the company confirmed what it had been teasing for a while, revealing that the Joy-Con controllers can be turned on their side and used as an optical mouse.

Nintendo also revealed that the Switch 2’s mouse controls can be used in tandem with its gyro controls, meaning players can not only move a cursor but also twist their wrist to turn it.

An example of this was shown in a mini-golf type game, where players can move a club around with the mouse, while also turning it with the gyro controls to change the angel of the putter’s head.

Nintendo revealed a mouse-focused sports game during the Direct, Drag X Drive, which has players controlling a wheelchair basketball player.

Mouse controls have been rumoured since before the Switch 2 was officially announced, with reports claiming that at least one of the new Joy-Con controllers had an optical sensor in it, similar to the one used by most optical mice.

While Nintendo didn’t respond to these reports, when it first announced the Switch 2 back in January it did so with a short animation which appeared to tease mouse controls, among other things.

Nintendo’s January trailer appeared to show the Joy-Cons attaching to grips then sliding across the ground, much like a mouse would, before detaching from their grips and attaching to the Switch 2 console.

A patent published in February also showed the Joy-Con on its side being used as a mouse, all but confirming the previous reports.

Today’s news, however, is the first official confirmation of the feature.