Nintendo Confirms Switch 2 Joy-Cons Have Mouse-Like Functionality

The Nintendo Switch 2's full unveiling on April 2 has confirmed one of its most exciting new features: mouse functionality. You can indeed use the console's new Joy-Con controllers like a computer mouse, opening up possibilities for point-and-click adventures and strategy games to be an even better experience on the system.

In an overview of the Switch 2 hardware, Nintendo confirmed that both the left and right Joy-Cons on the system, which are also bigger and more ergonomic than their predecessors, can be turned on their side and used like a computer mouse. The Direct didn't expand too much on the mouse functionality, other than noting that mouse controls will only be available in certain games.

Nintendo later demonstrated a wheelchair-sports-inspired game called Drag x Drive designed to make the most of the unique dual-mouse controls, but it will be interesting to see how many developers make use of the unique control scheme. From everything Nintendo has shown so far, the Joy-Con 2's mouse mode doesn't look as comfortable to use for long stretches of gaming as a conventional mouse, but it could have interesting uses in porting PC games to the Switch 2.

Nintendo first teased Joy-Con mouse functionality for the Switch 2 in its announcement video for the console. For more of what we learned from the massive Switch 2 direct, check out all the biggest announcements from the presentation.