If you caught the Nintendo Switch 2 reveal video, you might have noticed what looked like a 'mouse' mode for the Joy-Cons. During the trailer, there's a striking moment where a pair of detached Joy-Cons are lowered onto a surface, attachment side down. They connect to a pair of connectors with seemingly flat bottoms and then slide across the surface like a mouse on a mouse pad. If you look closely, you can even spot something that resembles a slider pad on the bottom of one of the connectors, adding more weight to the theory.
Rumors had been swirling ahead of the Nintendo Switch 2 reveal that such functionality might be possible, thanks to a sensor inside the Joy-Cons similar to the one found on the bottom of a computer mouse. However, Nintendo has yet to officially confirm this feature or its implications.
Nintendo Switch 2 - First Look
28 Images
One of the first games that sprang to mind after the reveal was Firaxis’ Civilization 7. Already confirmed for the original Switch, it’s set to work on the Switch 2 via backward compatibility. But the big question remains: Will there be a specially designed Switch 2 version that leverages the new Joy-Con to let you play Civilization 7 as if you were using a mouse?
IGN discussed the Switch 2 reveal and the apparent mouse functionality in a recent interview with Civilization 7's lead designer Ed Beach and executive producer Dennis Shirk. While Beach kept quiet, Shirk offered a teasing response that's sure to fuel further speculation.
"It is definitely intriguing," Shirk hinted. "You always make some trade-offs when dealing 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 in terms of an opinion. I think it looks awesome and they're not wrong, so it would be cool for something like that."
AnswerSee ResultsOf course, Firaxis isn’t going to announce a Nintendo Switch 2 version of Civilization 7 just yet — that decision will be left to publisher 2K Games. But with a Switch 2 Direct scheduled for April, we might soon learn more about it.
While we wait to discover the full potential of mouse support on the Switch 2, as well as the function of the mysterious new Joy-Con button, we do know that Nintendo's next-gen console is set to launch in 2025, likely between June and September. There's also a new Mario Kart game in development for it. You can catch up on all our Nintendo Switch 2 coverage right here.
