Nintendo has officially confirmed that players will be able to utilize the innovative Switch 2 Joy-Con mouse controls directly on the Home screen, adding a new dimension to the console's navigation capabilities. Since the reveal of the Nintendo Switch 2, fans have been buzzing with excitement and speculation about the potential uses of the new Joy-Con's mouse control feature. Last month, we received the official confirmation that the Joy-Con can indeed operate in "mouse mode," allowing players to slide the controllers across surfaces and use the analog sticks to simulate left-click and right-click actions, mimicking a standard mouse. Moreover, the versatility of the system allows for the use of two Joy-Con simultaneously in mouse mode, one in each hand, or a combination of one in standard mode and the other in mouse mode.
Further details have now emerged, showcased through the Nintendo Today app and shared on X/Twitter, revealing that the Joy-Con 2 mouse controls extend to navigating the Home menu on the Switch 2. Nintendo demonstrated this feature, explaining that "if you place the Joy-Con 2 controller on a surface with the attachment side facing down, a cursor will appear on screen. To display the cursor, set the Joy-Con 2 on a table or flat surface and move it as shown." They further elaborated that "while using mouse controls, you can tilt the control stick to scroll through menus," and that these controls are usable "on the Home menu and in compatible software." When switching back to the thumbstick, simply reposition the Joy-Con 2 horizontally.
While the extent of game compatibility with these mouse controls remains to be seen, Nintendo has already demonstrated the technology working seamlessly with the Switch 2 editions of Mario Party Jamboree and Metroid Prime 4, as well as the wheelchair basketball game Drag x Drive.
The highly anticipated Nintendo Switch 2 is slated for release on June 5. Pre-orders for the console, priced at $449.99, opened on April 24 and were met with the enthusiastic response you might expect. For those eager to secure their unit, check out IGN's comprehensive Nintendo Switch 2 pre-order guide for more information.
