Firaxis Keeps Silent on 'Mouse' Joy-Con for Nintendo Switch 2

If you watched the Nintendo Switch 2 reveal video, you might have caught a glimpse of what appears to be a 'mouse' mode for the Joy-Cons. During the reveal trailer, there's an intriguing moment where a pair of detached Joy-Cons are lowered onto a surface with their attachment sides down. They connect to a pair of connectors, which have flat bottoms and then smoothly glide across the surface, much like a mouse on a mouse pad. If you pay close attention, you can even spot what looks like a slider pad on the bottom of one of the connectors, adding further credence to the theory of a mouse-like functionality.

Rumors had been swirling before the Nintendo Switch 2 reveal, suggesting that such a feature might be possible due to a sensor inside the Joy-Cons, akin to the sensor on the bottom of a computer mouse. However, Nintendo has yet to officially confirm these speculations or what this functionality might entail if it is indeed true.

Nintendo Switch 2 - First Look

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One of the first upcoming video games that springs to mind following the reveal is Firaxis’ Civilization 7. This 4X strategy game is already confirmed for the original Switch and will undoubtedly be compatible with the Switch 2 via backward compatibility. However, the burning question remains: Will there be a tailored Switch 2 version that leverages the new Joy-Con capabilities, allowing players to control Civilization 7 as if using a mouse?

IGN touched on the Switch 2 reveal and its apparent mouse functionality during a recent interview with Civilization 7 lead designer Ed Beach and executive producer Dennis Shirk. While Beach kept his cards close to his chest, Shirk offered a coy response that's sure to fuel further speculation. "It is definitely intriguing," Shirk teased. "You always do some trade-offs when you have to deal with pure console controls. And 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."

Of course, Firaxis isn’t going to announce a Nintendo Switch 2 version of Civilization 7 — that decision would be left to publisher 2K Games. But with a Switch 2 Direct scheduled for this April, we might soon discover whether such a version is in the works.

While we remain in the dark about potential mouse support for the Switch 2 and the purpose 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, a new Mario Kart game is in development for it. You can catch up on all our Nintendo Switch 2 coverage right here.