Nintendo Switch Joy-Con: Mouse Support Patent Filed

A recently published patent suggests the Switch 2 Joy-Cons may include mouse functionality. Read on to learn more about these exciting new controller features and the official date for the upcoming Nintendo Direct.

Switch 2: Joy-Con Evolution

Mouse Support Revealed in New Patent

A February 6, 2025, World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) publication details a Nintendo patent for the Switch 2 Joy-Cons, revealing intriguing new capabilities. The patent highlights mouse-like functionality, seemingly confirming earlier speculation sparked by the Switch 2 reveal trailer, which briefly showed the controller being used in a dragging motion across a surface. This patent sheds light on the previously undisclosed features, especially considering Nintendo's silence regarding the Switch 2's specifics.

Enhanced Joy-Con Functionality and New Controllers

The Switch 2 Joy-Cons appear to retain the detachable design of their predecessors, but with a significant addition: mouse functionality. The patent describes a sensor that detects reflected light from a surface, allowing for mouse-like control by moving the Joy-Con across that surface.

A new charging dock capable of charging two Joy-Cons simultaneously is also mentioned. A magnetic attachment, including a wrist strap, connects the Joy-Cons to the console.

The patent also introduces a novel controller design: a standard controller split into two halves, each equipped with an optical sensor for mouse functionality. These halves can be combined using a separate attachment to form a traditional controller.

It’s crucial to remember that these patent details may not reflect the final product. Nintendo hasn't officially confirmed any of these features for the Switch 2.

Nintendo Direct: Switch 2 Details Unveiled

Nintendo of America announced via Twitter (X) on February 5, 2025, that a Nintendo Direct dedicated to the Switch 2 will air on April 2, 2025, at 6 AM PT / 9 AM ET. This broadcast will be streamed across all official Nintendo social media platforms.

While the Switch 2 trailer confirmed a 2025 release, a precise date remains unannounced. For more information on the Switch 2, visit our dedicated Switch 2 page.