Nintendo patents show the Switch 2 Joy-Con may indeed work like a mouse — and so might a new controller
Newly-published Nintendo patents show that the company has been exploring a version of its Joy-Con controllers that can work like a computer mouse, a feature Nintendo has hinted will be coming to the Switch 2.
I'm perplexed by this new Switch 2 Joy-Con patent – who on earth would need it?
There's still a while to wait yet until we get any more official details on the Switch 2 launch (Nintendo has scheduled its Direct event for April 2, 2025), but make sure you register your interest in the console early to beat the digital queues and be the first to preorder once links go live.
Nintendo Switch 2 patent seems to confirm mouse functionality for the new Joy-Cons
When Nintendo first unveiled the Switch 2 last month, we (and everyone else) noticed something peculiar about the new Joy-Con controllers. Now, some recently unearthed patent filings more or less confirm all the theories.
Nintendo Patent Confirms Switch 2 Joy-Con's Most Innovative Feature
This confirms what many fans suspected upon seeing the Joy-Con controllers sliding around a surface on their sides during the announcement trailer last month. Presumably, the “mouse operation” feature will allow some games on Switch 2 to be played with either traditional controller inputs or mouse inputs.
Nintendo's Latest Patent Hints At Joy-Con Mouse Support For OG Switch
Furthermore, Nintendo refers to the new Switch 2 Joy-Con as the "first embodiment" of the input device, the mysterious new controller as the "second embodiment", and the original rail-system Joy-Con as the "third embodiment", suggesting that, yes, these are indeed separate devices.
New Nintendo patents give us a look at Switch 2 mouse functionality
Nintendo’s patent pertaining to mouse functionality is now public, so here’s what it shows and what this could mean for the new console.
Could Nintendo’s latest patent bring mouse feature to Switch 1 Joy-Cons? The new designs seem to suggest it
Nintendo’s recent innovation hints at upgraded controllers for Switch 1. If that happens, the old console could stick around for another eight years.
We finally know what the Nintendo Switch 2 Joy-Cons are hiding
A new patent has revealed new features packed into the Nintendo Switch 2 Joy-Cons, including mouse functionality and more.
Nintendo patent confirms Joy-Con mouse functionality rumored for Switch 2
A patent filed by Nintendo has strengthened rumors that Nintendo Switch 2 ’s Joy-Con controllers will include mouse functionality. The patent was filed Aug. 1, 2023, but was published Thursday, Feb. 6,
Nintendo patent explains Switch 2 Joy-Cons’ “mouse operation” mode
A machine translation of the full text of the patent describes the controller as "a novel input device that can be used as a mouse and other than a mouse." In mouse mode, as described in the patent, the user cradles the outer edge of the controller with their palm and places the inner edge "on, for example, a desk or the like."
New Nintendo patent seemingly confirms magnetic Joy-Cons
The original Nintendo Switch used a rail for Joy-Con controllers to slide into each side of the console screen and body, but ...
Nintendo Switch 2 Joy-Con Controller Rumor Just Got a Lot More Credible
A recently discovered patent shows Nintendo Switch 2's Joy-Con being used like the mouse on a PC, seemingly confirming system ...