If you watched the Nintendo Switch 2 reveal video, you might have noticed what appeared to be a 'mouse' mode for the Joy-Cons. In the reveal trailer, a pair of detached Joy-Cons are shown being lowered onto a surface, attachment side down. They connect to a pair of connectors that seem to have relatively flat bottoms, and then slide across the surface, reminiscent of a mouse on a mouse pad. A closer look reveals what looks like a slider pad on the bottom of one of the connectors, further supporting this theory.
Rumors had been circulating before the Nintendo Switch 2 reveal that such a feature might be possible due to a sensor on the inside of the Joy-Cons, similar to that found on the bottom of a computer mouse. However, Nintendo has yet to officially confirm this feature or its potential implications.
Nintendo Switch 2 - First Look
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One of the first games that came to mind following the reveal was Firaxis’ Civilization 7. Already confirmed for the original Switch, it’s expected to be playable on the Switch 2 through backward compatibility. But the question remains: will there be a version tailored for the Switch 2 that leverages the new Joy-Con functionality, allowing players to control the game as if using a mouse?
IGN discussed the Switch 2 reveal and the potential mouse functionality in an interview with Civilization 7 lead designer Ed Beach and executive producer Dennis Shirk. While Beach remained silent, Shirk offered a teasing response that has sparked further speculation.
“It is definitely intriguing,” Shirk said. “You always have to make some trade-offs with pure console controls. The announcement has some great stuff in it. I love what they're doing with the controllers. It's all very cool. That's about all I can say about it in terms of an opinion. I think it looks awesome and they're not wrong, so it would be cool for something like that.”
AnswerSee ResultsOf course, Firaxis isn’t going to announce a Nintendo Switch 2 version of Civilization 7 — that will be left to publisher 2K Games. But with a Switch 2 Direct scheduled for this April, we may soon learn more about this.
While we await details on potential mouse support for the Switch 2, as well as the function of the mysterious new Joy-Con button, we do know that Nintendo's next-gen console is slated for release in 2025, likely between June and September. Additionally, there's a new Mario Kart game in development for it. You can catch up on all our Nintendo Switch 2 coverage right here.
