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 rumored new features and the upcoming Nintendo Direct.

Switch 2: New Controller Functions on the Horizon

Joy-Con Patent Hints at Mouse Support

A February 6, 2025, World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) publication details a Nintendo patent for the Switch 2 Joy-Cons, revealing intriguing new capabilities, including potential mouse functionality. This aligns with speculation sparked by the Switch 2 reveal trailer, which briefly showed a controller being moved across a surface, hinting at this feature. The patent offers further credence to these rumors, particularly given Nintendo's previous silence on Switch 2 details.

Switch 2 Joy-Con: Mouse Functionality and New Controller Designs

The Switch 2 Joy-Cons appear to retain the detachable design of their predecessors. The key innovation highlighted in the patent is their potential use as a mouse. The document describes a sensor that detects reflected light from a surface, tracking movement when the Joy-Con is placed on that surface.

A new charging dock capable of charging up to two Joy-Cons simultaneously is also mentioned. A magnetic attachment, including a wrist strap, is described, connecting 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-like operation. These halves can also be combined into a single controller using a separate attachment.

It's crucial to remember that the patent's features may not all make it into the final Switch 2 product. Nintendo has yet to officially confirm any details regarding the Joy-Cons or other accessories.

Nintendo Direct: Your Switch 2 Update is Coming

Nintendo of America announced via Twitter (X) on February 5, 2025, that a Nintendo Direct focusing on the Switch 2 will air on April 2, 2025, at 6 AM PT / 9 AM ET 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 page.