If you caught the Nintendo Switch 2 reveal, you probably noticed something intriguing: what looks suspiciously like mouse functionality for the Joy-Cons. The trailer shows detached Joy-Cons placed attachment-side down on a surface, connecting to what appear to be flat-bottomed connectors. These then glide across the surface, mimicking mouse movement. A slider pad is even visible on one connector, adding weight to the theory.
Pre-reveal rumors suggested this capability, citing an internal sensor in the Joy-Cons similar to those found in computer mice. However, Nintendo has yet to officially confirm this feature or its implications.
Nintendo Switch 2 - First Look
28 Images
The Switch 2 reveal immediately brought to mind Civilization VII. Already confirmed for the original Switch (and guaranteed to work on the Switch 2 via backward compatibility), the question arises: will a dedicated Switch 2 version leverage the new Joy-Con controls to offer a mouse-like experience?
IGN posed this question to Civilization VII lead designer Ed Beach and executive producer Dennis Shirk. While Beach remained tight-lipped, Shirk offered a tantalizingly vague response: “It is definitely intriguing…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.”
AnswerSee ResultsWhile Firaxis won't announce a dedicated Switch 2 version of Civilization VII (that's 2K Games' purview), a Switch 2 Direct is scheduled for April, potentially revealing more.
Despite the mystery surrounding potential mouse support and the function of the new Joy-Con button, we know the Switch 2 is slated for a 2025 release (likely between June and September), and a new Mario Kart is in the works. You can find all our Nintendo Switch 2 coverage here.
