Early this morning, Nintendo revealed the first look at its successor to the Nintendo Switch, seemingly and aptly named the Nintendo Switch 2. In the short video showcasing some differences from its predecessor. As part of this, a brief scene of the Switch 2’s controllers — referred to as joycons on the original Switch by Nintendo — gliding across a surface as if functioning like a PC mouse is presented.
There’s no accompanying text or narration to go along with this, so at best right now all we can do is speculate. A side-view of the joycon seems to show what looks like an optical sensor or something similar. If so, this would indicate that the joycons can work somewhat like a PC mouse on a flat surface with the Switch 2.
In terms of gaming capability, this could provide a more accurate control method for games that require fine movements. Games with manipulatable cursors, like Realtime Strategy titles, could simply use a mouse without needing to connect actual mouse hardware. It could even be used for shooters, but that would likely depend a lot on the accuracy and speed.
There are even other games, like Nintendo’s own Super Mario Maker series, that struggled a bit with controller-only interpretations, but could find new life with a competent manipulatable cursor.
Until Nintendo decides to show this feature off (or dismiss this all as speculation), it’s all just guess-work. The soonest we will know new information about the system and its software is early April, according to today’s video.
