Fans are wondering if the Switch 2 will offer mouse and keyboard support after recent patent leaks.
After months of speculation and vague reports, Nintendo officially revealed the Switch 2 in January 2025. The teaser trailer was essentially an announcement for the actual showcase in April 2025. Despite its surface-level similarities, the first look trailer teased many features unique to the Switch 2. The expanded focus on accessories like a controller pad gave players hope for a more feature-rich successor.
Among the most desired features for the OG Switch was mouse and keyboard support. Consoles such as the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S offer native mouse and keyboard support natively for select games. Meanwhile, the OG Switch only supported keyboards for text input and had no functionality for connected mice.
Recent patent leaks suggest a change in how Switch 2 will approach mouse and keyboard functionality.
The Switch 2 patents reveal the new Joycons will have mouse functionality. Instead of third-party mouse support or being a separate accessory, the Switch 2 Joycons will essentially have a “mouse mode.” The patents showcase an optical sensor for detecting reflected light, making the Joycon functionally similar to a modern mouse.
The diagrams on the leaked patents show the front bumper as the likely candidate for clicking. The Joycon stick may also allow players to move while aiming with a mouse. It may feel strange at first, but Nintendo is nothing if not innovative with control schemes. The mouse functionality is also available for both Joycons, essentially giving the Switch 2 dual mouse functionality.
Nintendo Switch 2 – First-look trailer
Proper mouse functionality opens up many possibilities for future games. Most fans expressed excitement over creatively-driven titles. Games such as Mario Maker and Splatoon 3 would benefit from a mouse function for enhanced art capabilities. The mouse could essentially act as a stylus too, which could allow for more precise cursor control in tactical games.
DS and 3DS players are also hyped because the mouse functionality could preserve the functionality of countless DS games. Longtime fans on Reddit specifically pointed to games such as Wario Ware Touched and Mario Paint. While the hype for the mouse is palpable, players also want an update on another peripheral for the Switch 2.
Although the OG Switch already supports keyboards, it only natively supports text.  Certain games have successfully offered mouse and keyboard support for the OG Switch. Players can attach a keyboard and mouse over USB for Factorio, despite the Switch’s lack of native support. Native support for a mouse and keyboard could allow for even more games on the new console.
At the very least, the inclusion of an official mouse could inspire developers to provide keyboard support in their games. Strategy games such as Civilization and Stellaris could get a spike of players on the Switch for the added functionality alone. CRPGs such as Baldur’s Gate 3 and Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader could also be ported to the Switch thanks to the added power and mouse functionality. Until the Switch 2 showcase in April 2025, fans will have to wait for more details on these exciting features.
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