Fortnite officially arrives on the Nintendo Switch 2 on June 5, according to Epic Games. The optimized release comes complete with visual enhancements, technical improvements, and fresh control options that take advantage of the new hardware.
Nintendo’s new Joy-Con 2 controllers introduce mouse-style controls, and the feature will be enabled on Fortnite on June 7 with patch 36.00. Players will be able to use one or both Joy-Con 2 controllers as a mouse to aim and navigate the game’s UI, so expect some sweaty competition. When using this control scheme, the right analog stick will be disabled, and rotation will be handled by physically moving the controller like a mouse. A visible cursor will appear on-screen during navigation.
Depending on the configuration, the ZR button (or ZL if using the left controller) will act as the primary click. Players can enable mouse controls by heading into the Settings menu, finding the Mouse tab, and selecting Right, Left, or Both under “Mouse Controls.” For those using the left controller as a mouse, Epic recommends enabling the Swap Movement Thumbstick setting to allow character movement with the right stick instead, something that should help left-handed players feel more comfortable.
Fortnite also now runs at a potential 60 frames per second on the Nintendo Switch 2. The visual fidelity has been significantly upgraded as well, with the game running at 2176×1224 resolution while docked and 1600×900 in handheld mode. This improvement is coupled with greater view distances, allowing players to see more of the environment from farther away.
Players should also notice higher-quality textures, more dynamic and realistic shadows, and much better water rendering. The developers even enabled clothing physics for added immersion, giving character outfits more realistic movement during gameplay.
Fortnite’s replay system also makes a return on the Nintendo Switch 2, letting players rewatch their best (or worst) Battle Royale moments from different angles. In addition, gameplay can now be captured easily using the Switch 2’s built-in Capture button. GameChat is supported as well, allowing voice chat with up to three friends while broadcasting gameplay.
Fortnite on Nintendo Switch 2 includes the full desktop renderer “for the hardcore tech folks,” according to Epic Games. This version of the game supports high-detail geometry, distance field ambient occlusion while docked, shadow-casting point lights, and high-quality visual effects. Epic states, “Fortnite on Nintendo Switch 2 isn’t just a port — it’s a reimagined experience.” As such, players who log into Fortnite on Nintendo Switch 2 between now and March 31, 2026, will receive the exclusive Wishing Star Emote.
Mouse controls will be available across all Battle Royale modes starting June 7, including traditional Battle Royale, Zero Build, Team Rumble, Reload, Fortnite OG, and their respective Zero Build variants. Although this is a great addition to the game, we’ve tested Nintendo’s Joy-Con 2s, and they left a bit to be desired.
