If you caught the Nintendo Switch 2 reveal video, you might have noticed a hint at a new 'mouse' mode for the Joy-Cons. During the trailer, there's a scene where a pair of detached Joy-Cons are placed onto a surface, attachment side down. They connect to a set of connectors with flat bottoms, then slide smoothly across the surface, much like a mouse on a mousepad. A closer look reveals what appears to be a slider pad on one of the connectors, adding fuel to the speculation.

Leading up to the reveal, rumors swirled about this potential feature, suggesting that a sensor inside the Joy-Cons could function similarly to the sensor found in a computer mouse. However, Nintendo has yet to officially confirm these rumors or elaborate on what this feature might entail.

Nintendo Switch 2 - First Look

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The reveal sparked thoughts about upcoming video games, particularly Firaxis’ Civilization 7. Already confirmed for the original Switch, it’s expected to be compatible with the Switch 2 through backward compatibility. But the real question is whether there will be a version specifically designed for the Switch 2, leveraging the new Joy-Con's capabilities to play Civilization 7 as if using a mouse.

In a recent interview with IGN, Civilization 7 lead designer Ed Beach and executive producer Dennis Shirk discussed the Switch 2 reveal and the potential mouse functionality. While Beach stayed silent, Shirk's response was intriguing, hinting at the possibilities without confirming anything.

"It is definitely intriguing," Shirk said. "You always have to make some trade-offs when dealing with pure console controls. The announcement has some great stuff in it. I love what they're doing with the controllers. It's all very cool. That's about all I can say about it in terms of an opinion. I think it looks awesome and they're not wrong, so it would be cool for something like that."

While Firaxis isn’t ready to announce a Nintendo Switch 2 version of Civilization 7, that decision lies with their publisher, 2K Games. With a Switch 2 Direct scheduled for April, we might soon learn more about this and other exciting developments.

While details on potential mouse support for the Switch 2 remain unclear, as well as the function of the mysterious new Joy-Con button, we do know that Nintendo's next-gen console is slated for release in 2025, likely between June and September. Additionally, a new Mario Kart game is in development for it. For more information on the Nintendo Switch 2, you can explore all our coverage right here.