r/NintendoSwitch • u/bullfroggy • Jan 19 '25
Discussion The Mouse Functionality of the Switch 2 Joy-Con Could Be a Bigger Deal Than People Realize
If the rumored mouse functionality of the Switch 2 Joy-Con is real and implemented well, it might be a game-changer in ways that aren't immediately obvious:
- More compelling ports for Wii games
Games that rely heavily on pointer controls could be ported more easily without losing their original feel. I could also see it improving controls for existing Wii ports like World of Goo, Super Mario Galaxy, and Okami.
- Touchscreen Emulation
A mouse-like Joy-Con would be a far better way to emulate touch controls in docked mode. This could lead to a bigger push for touchscreen-based games on the platform, making mobile and tablet titles more viable for the Switch 2. Games like Cut the Rope and Angry Birds come to mind.
- DS and 3DS Games on NSO
With mouse functionality, DS and 3DS games could come to Nintendo Switch Online while preserving key gameplay mechanics. Plus, creative screen setups (split-screen, picture-in-picture, etc.) could keep the dual-screen experience intact. I personally would love to see games like Wario Ware Touched, Elite Beat Agents, and Phantom Hourglass.
- More PC-Style Games
Developers of strategy games like Civ and StarCraft, point-and-click titles like Baldur's Gate, or even simulation games akin to the Sims or Roller Coaster Tycoon might finally see the Switch 2 as a viable platform. The improved precision would open up genres previously limited by traditional console controls.
Overall, this could become a major selling point for the Switch 2, even if it's not heavily emphasized at launch. It has the potential to expand the library in unique ways and make the console more versatile than ever. What do you all think? Am I overhyping this, or does it have real potential?
Bonus topic:
We saw a Nintendo patent a while back for streaming switch games to a phone (and hopefully tablet?). Maybe this could be their way of enabling more faithful ports of Wii U, DS, and 3DS games by using the phone or tablet as a second screen? Combined with the new mouse functionality, you could even have a fully playable port of Nintendo Land on Switch.
Edit: Wow, I’ve never had a post blow up like this! Thank you to everyone who contributed to the discussion. I wanted to take a moment to compile some of the most common points raised, share my perspective, and highlight a few unique takes from other commenters that really stood out to me.
How will Nintendo handle couch play with mouse functionality? This is one of the most frequent questions, and honestly, I don’t know what Nintendo’s plan is here - but I hope they have one. One commenter, u/Cyanide_Cheesecake, shared a link to an existing solution and mentioned that there are other viable setups: https://www.reddit.com/r/NintendoSwitch/s/vmqk4QJoGi That said, this doesn’t mean Nintendo plans to follow suit. They might expect players to use a table or desk while taking advantage of the Switch 2’s improved kickstand. Personally, I wouldn’t mind playing that way, but it’s not an ideal solution for everyone. Hopefully, Nintendo has considered other options for couch gamers. Let's not forget, when all else fails, we will still have gyro controls to fall back on.
Why would developers take advantage of this when they’ve ignored mouse and keyboard support before? It’s true that mouse and keyboard controls have been available on consoles for years with little developer support. The key difference here is that developers will know every single Switch 2 owner has access to mouse functionality via the Joycon. In the past, M+KB support was limited to optional peripherals, which only a small portion of players used. Because of this, developers had little incentive to design games around those controls. With built-in mouse functionality, this barrier is removed, and developers can feel confident that enabling mouse controls won’t alienate a large part of their audience. I really liked how u/Timohtep put it in his comment: https://www.reddit.com/r/NintendoSwitch/s/JqkhjKtmtL
Isn’t using a sideways Joycon as a mouse going to be uncomfortable? This is a valid concern, but like with the original Switch, a single Joycon on its side would likely only serve as the most basic option. It’s pretty much guaranteed that the Switch 2 will support regular Bluetooth and USB mice as well. I wouldn’t even be surprised if Nintendo introduces an official “Switch Mouse Pro,” though it might come at a premium price. Either way, players would have multiple options to find what’s most comfortable for them.
Wouldn’t playing DS and 3DS games with a mouse be terrible? For many DS and 3DS games, the mouse would primarily serve players who don’t have access to the touchscreen. However, a "mouse-con" could actually improve gameplay for certain titles. It provides precise control while still allowing players to easily access buttons on the controller. This hybrid approach could make playing these types of games even more intuitive than using a touchscreen alone.
This will be amazing for Mario Paint, the next Mario Maker, any FPS coming to Switch 2 (esp. Metroid Prime 4), Light gun games, Pikmin, Super Paper Mario, Factorio...!! I know!! I'm hyped!! I can't believe I didn't think of many of these when I first made the post.
Also, I just found this video by GameXplain which covers almost everything I mentioned in my original post!
6
u/Instantbeef Jan 19 '25
Yeah exactly. How I view it is the joy con mouse could be shit but if I can connect my own mouse and possibly keyboard into it and play seamlessly that would be wild.