Between an idea of genius and a damp squib, there is only one step. Many of the technological innovations used to date are based on an originally crazy, but promising, bet. To a lesser extent, the Nintendo Switch 2’s mouse mode could fall into this category.
Unveiled in a short trailer on January 16, Nintendo’s next console did not mention any technical specifications, but lifted the veil on its design and some of its features. If aesthetically the Nintendo Switch 2 does not differ much from the base model, we note some ergonomic innovations, including the famous mouse mode which has been implicitly confirmed. Too bad, it could turn out to be much less ingenious than it seems.
A discreet formalization
The subject of numerous rumors before the official release of the console, the mouse mode of the Nintendo Switch 2 has been debated for several weeks already. The manufacturer’s communication, which confirms its arrival, was an opportunity to ask the right questions about functionality.
We can see in the trailer a new accessory that attaches to the magnetic part of the Joy-Con and allows it to slide on a flat surface while protecting the buttons and connections. Nintendo even plays on the image of the animal mouse in case the spectators did not understand the more than obvious allusion.
This new feature allows Nintendo to complete the meaning of the word Switch in the name of its console, and therefore to justify – at least in part – the transition to the new generation. What in theory is a good plan, in practice is very irrelevant according to the players.
Ambitions far from relevant
The question everyone is asking is this: what could it be used for a mouse on Nintendo Switch? In reality, several scenarios are possible. Joysticks are far from being the most suitable controllers in certain types of games, as well as certain in-game interfaces or certain ergonomic configurations.
We can in particular cite the example so-called point and click games, FPS or even the management gameswhich require (almost) only clicks from the player to interact with the title. Whether it is Return to Monkey Islandfrom the saga Ace Attorney, Cities : Skylinesfrom the saga Two Point or even games Splatoon 3, Metroid Prime 4 et Civilization VII which will be released this year on the Nintendo console, everyone is eligible for this controversial mode.
The mouse can also be very useful when talking about navigation in the broad sense. The current Nintendo Switch is not particularly known for its web browsing, like all home consoles, but the Switch 2 could put more emphasis on this point to match the Joy-Con mouse mode. As a result, the console could quite join the ranks of PC consoles… provided that Nintendo pulls out all the stops in terms of performance to compete with the brands already present in this segment.
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Good innovation, bad timing
But is this what players are asking for? The Nintendo Switch 2, just like its predecessor, will likely be used for its family, platform, adventure and action games. These types of games are very often more comfortable with a controller than a mouse. Additionally, this raises some questions in terms of purely practical use.
In living room mode, players tend to sit on their sofa, without having anything to put the mouse down and navigate. This would therefore be aimed at those who use their console in living room mode on a computer/desk, or in portable mode on a table/stand. However, this is not the most common way to use the Nintendo Switch.
We are therefore not sure that mouse mode will revolutionize the practical use of the console, but this addition is undoubtedly an unprecedented proposition from a manufacturer. Would we have preferred that Valve thought of this first for its Steam Deck? It’s obvious.
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