Nintendo Switch 2: Joy-Con Mouse Controls for Home Menu Navigation

Nintendo has officially confirmed that players will be able to utilize the innovative Switch 2 Joy-Con mouse controls on the Home screen, adding a new layer of interactivity to the console. Since the reveal of the Nintendo Switch 2, fans have been buzzing with excitement over the new Joy-Con's mouse control capabilities. Last month, we received official confirmation that the Joy-Con can function in a "mouse mode," allowing players to glide the controllers across surfaces while using the analog sticks to simulate left-click and right-click actions, akin to a traditional mouse. Moreover, the option to use two Joy-Con in mouse mode simultaneously—one in each hand—or one in standard mode with the other in mouse mode, opens up a range of possibilities for gameplay and navigation.

The latest developments were showcased on the Nintendo Today app and shared on X/Twitter, demonstrating how the Joy-Con 2 mouse controls can navigate the Home menu on the Switch 2. As explained by Nintendo, "If you place the Joy-Con 2 controller on a surface with the attachment side facing down, a cursor will appear on screen. To display the cursor, set the Joy-Con 2 on a table or flat surface and move it as shown." Additionally, Nintendo highlighted that "while using mouse controls, you can tilt the control stick to scroll through menus," and these controls can be used not only on the Home menu but also in compatible software. To revert to using the thumbstick, simply reposition the Joy-Con 2 horizontally.

Although the full extent of mouse-compliant games remains undisclosed, Nintendo has demonstrated the technology working seamlessly with Switch 2 editions of Mario Party Jamboree and Metroid Prime 4, as well as the wheelchair basketball game Drag x Drive.

The eagerly awaited Nintendo Switch 2 is scheduled to launch on June 5. Pre-orders for the Switch 2 kicked off on April 24, with the console maintaining a price point of $449.99 — and they sold out as quickly as one might expect. For more information, you can check out IGN's Nintendo Switch 2 pre-order guide.