One aspect of the Nintendo Switch 2 that has yet to be officially revealed is its rumored mouse functionality. Rumors had circulated that the Joy-Cons would support this feature, and when Nintendo unveiled the Switch 2 last month, they hinted that these rumors might be true in their teaser video (without outright showing it off).
Mouse Functionality Confirmed?
Fortunately, new Nintendo patents published earlier today may shed some light on this matter. These patents specifically detail the mouse functionality that the Switch 2 Joy-Cons will possess. Moreover, the patents suggest that the Switch 2’s Pro Controller will also be able to take advantage of mouse-like functionality.
Apparently, the Switch 2 Pro Controller can be split in half and used in the same manner as a computer mouse. An X post and a gallery containing pictures of the patents are available below for reference.
Here’s a description from the patent’s abstract:
This input device comprises a front surface, an upper surface, a first side surface, a second side surface, a direction input unit, a first upper surface button, and a sensor for mouse operation. The first side surface is on one side in the left-right direction. The second side surface is on the other side in the left-right direction. The direction input unit is provided on the front surface. The first upper surface button is provided on the upper surface and can be pressed around a first rotation axis extending in a direction in which components in the left-right direction are included. The sensor for mouse operation detects reflected light from a detected surface, the light changing by moving over the detected surface in a state in which either the first side surface or the second side surface is placed on the detected surface.
In addition to the mouse functionality, new patents also seem to confirm returning features from the original Switch:
Returning Features
- HD Rumble
- Notification LEDs
- Gyroscope and Accelerometer*
- NFC (right Joy-Con only)
- Ambient Light Sensor for the display
- Touchscreen
*Now, apparently the motion sensors will be 9-axis instead of the 6-axis in the original Switch. The Nintendo Wii U GamePad also made use of 9-axis motion controls, and could be returning for the advanced mouse-like functionality described in this post. It’s unclear if the console will be 9-axis or if the Joy-Con controllers will be, or both.
Joy-Con Charging Dock
Finally (for now), the patents showed off what seems to be the Switch 2’s Joy-Con charging dock.
What do you make of all this? Let me know in the comments down below!