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A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11Yes. Nintendo confirms that either Joy-Con 2 can act as a mouse on the Nintendo Switch 2 HOME Menu and in software that supports mouse controls. The January 2025 leak only speculated about the feature; Nintendo later confirmed it. The key limitation is compatibility: mouse controls are not established for every game.
What Switch 2 mouse controls can do
Nintendo says Joy-Con 2 mouse controls work throughout the Switch 2 HOME Menu and in compatible applications, including Nintendo eShop and Nintendo Switch Online. In a compatible game, either the left or right controller can provide mouse controls, and some software can use one or both controllers. How you hold them and what each one does depends on the game’s options.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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Nintendo Neon Purple/Neon Orange Joy-Con (L-R) - Switch | $87.95 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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Nintendo Joy-Con™ 2 (L)/(R) Light Purple/Light Green | $99.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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Joy-Con™ 2 (L)/(R) Blue/Light Yellow | $99.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
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Nintendo Joy-Con 2 (L)/(R) Light Blue/Light Red | $99.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
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Nintendo Joy-Con (L/R) - Neon Red/Neon Blue | $88.99 | Buy on Amazon |
Nintendo developers describe the feature as a way to point at a location on a TV screen, somewhat like a Wii Remote cursor, though not exactly the same. Producer Kouichi Kawamoto said the idea came to him while playing a PC game with a mouse; he saw it as a way to broaden the kinds of games the console could support.
Which games have Nintendo-described mouse controls?
Nintendo has named these examples. Their specific mouse-control uses differ:
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- Two Joy Con can be used independently in each hand, or together as 1 game controller when attached to the Joy Con grip
- They can also attach to the main console for use in handheld mode, or be shared with friends to enjoy two player action in supported games
- Each Joy Con has a full set of buttons and can act as a standalone controller, and each includes an accelerometer and gyro sensor, making independent left and right motion control possible
- Metroid Prime 4: Beyond – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition: one Joy-Con 2 can control movement while the other is used as a mouse to aim and shoot.
- Drag x Drive: both controllers are used like mice to control the game’s two wheels.
- Super Mario Party Jamboree – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Jamboree TV: includes gameplay using mouse controls.
These examples do not mean mouse controls are available in every Switch 2 game. Check the game’s current regional listing and its own control options for compatibility.
How to use Joy-Con 2 as a mouse
- Choose a mouse-compatible game or application, or use the Switch 2 HOME Menu.
- Follow that software’s instructions for which Joy-Con 2 to use and how to position or hold it. A game may use one controller or both.
- Place the controller on a table or another similarly flat surface and move it as directed. Nintendo’s US support guidance says to attach the strap before using mouse controls; Nintendo also says a strap may improve comfort and some games may require one. Follow the instructions for your game and region.
Surfaces, comfort, and care
Nintendo warns that the surface affects use. Glass or highly reflective tables may not work well; some materials and fabrics can produce poor sensor response; and an uneven surface on your lap can interfere. A flat, non-reflective surface is the safer choice, but Nintendo does not say a mousepad is required for compatibility.
Rank #2
- Only for use with the Nintendo Switch 2 system.
Nintendo’s safety guidance recommends removing dust or dirt from the controller, strap, and surface; choosing a flat surface without sharp edges or protrusions; and avoiding surfaces that scratch easily. Do not press forcefully while moving the controller. Nintendo recommends a mousepad or mat as a way to help protect surfaces that scratch easily.
How the feature compares with a regular mouse
Joy-Con 2 mouse mode offers another way to point and control compatible software, but the available Nintendo information does not establish comparative precision, latency, durability, or ergonomic performance against a conventional mouse. For a particular game, the practical questions are whether it supports mouse input, whether it uses one controller or two, whether your surface responds well, and whether its instructions call for a strap.
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Rank #3
- These updated Joy-Con 2 controllers have a color scheme inspired by Deep Cut from the Splatoon franchise. They have HD rumble, easy-to-use motion and mouse controls, and a C Button for easy GameChat* access (available in compatible games).
At a Switch 2 preview event in April 2025, the Associated Press reported demonstrations of both Joy-Con mouse controls in a wheelchair basketball game and a world-building game played on a hard desk without a pad. Those were demonstrations at an event, not controlled performance tests.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How the leak became a confirmed feature
On January 6, 2025, an IGN Daily Fix report discussed leaked Joy-Con images and speculated that a visible sensor might enable mouse-like use. That report was speculation, not confirmation. Nintendo later confirmed mouse controls for Joy-Con 2, with availability on the HOME Menu and in software that supports the feature.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Introducing Joy-Con, controllers that make new kinds of gaming possible, for use with Nintendo Switch.
- The versatile Joy-Con offer multiple surprising new ways for players to have fun.
- Two Joy-Con can be used independently in each hand, or together as one game controller when attached to the Joy-Con grip.
- They can also attach to the main console for use in handheld mode, or be shared with friends to enjoy two-player action in supported games.
- Each Joy-Con has a full set of buttons and can act as a standalone controller, and each includes an accelerometer and gyro-sensor, making independent left and right motion control possible.
Rank #4
- The updated Joy-Con 2 controllers have motion controls and HD rumble 2, along with the new C Button for easy GameChat* access and all-new mouse controls in compatible games.
- This set includes both a left and right Joy-Con 2 controller (along with a pair of Joy-Con 2 straps)—perfect for local multiplayer with a friend in compatible games.
- Includes two Joy-Con 2 straps.
- Only for use with the Nintendo Switch 2 system.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
