A patent filed by The Nintendo Company has strengthened rumors that Nintendo Switch 2’s Joy-Con controllers will include mouse functionality. The patent was filed August 1, 2023, but was published Thursday, Feb. 6, 2025. Here’s the full description of the “input device” described in the patent, which does not specify whether this input device is, in fact, for the Switch 2.
This input device comprises a front surface, an upper surface, a first side surface, a second side surface, a direction input unit, a first upper surface button, and a sensor for mouse operation. The first side surface is on one side in the left-right direction. The second side surface is on the other side in the left-right direction. The direction input unit is provided on the front surface. The first upper surface button is provided on the upper surface and can be pressed around a first rotation axis extending in a direction in which components in the left-right direction are included. The sensor for mouse operation detects reflected light from a detected surface, the light changing by moving over the detected surface in a state in which either the first side surface or the second side surface is placed on the detected surface.
A picture included in the patent shows somebody holding the Joy-Con and appearing to use it as a mouse.
We will continue to update this story as we dig further into the specifications in this patent.
