Nintendo’s upcoming Switch 2 console will include integrated mouse functionality through its Joy-Con 2 controllers, along with support for standard USB mice, according to a demonstration by launch game developer Koei Tecmo.
The company showcased these features Thursday in a gameplay video of Nobunaga’s Ambition: Awakening Complete Edition running on Switch 2 hardware. Producer Michi Ryu demonstrated how the right Joy-Con 2 can function as a mouse controller by pressing the SL button on the controller’s side, which activates mouse mode and displays an on-screen cursor.
The Joy-Con 2’s mouse functionality replicates standard mouse operations, including left-click, right-click, and scroll wheel actions. The scroll wheel function is achieved by moving the Joy-Con’s analog stick up and down while in mouse mode. Users can toggle between mouse mode and traditional controller mode by pressing the SL button again.
During the demonstration, Ryu showed how players can simultaneously use the right Joy-Con 2 for mouse controls while operating the left Joy-Con 2 for game shortcuts, such as adjusting time speed or navigating between different locations in the strategy game. This dual-controller approach allows for streamlined gameplay through customizable shortcuts.
The Switch 2 also maintains compatibility with standard USB mice. When a USB mouse is connected, the system displays a connection message and prioritizes the external mouse over the Joy-Con 2’s built-in mouse controls. Users can combine a USB mouse with the left Joy-Con 2, preserving access to controller shortcuts while using traditional mouse input.
While the original Nintendo Switch supports USB keyboards and mice, few games utilize these peripherals due to limited software compatibility. The integration of mouse controls directly into the Joy-Con 2 controllers suggests that Switch 2 games will more commonly support mouse input, potentially expanding the utility of USB mouse peripherals on the new console.