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From the N64’s three-pronged controller to the Wii Remote, Nintendo has long experimented with its designs. For the first time, the Switch 2 will now feature Joy-Con mouse controls. Using the Joy-Cons this way will make the new system feel more like a PC than ever. Is that design a good fit though? There are some definite pros and cons that players may want to consider before committing to another 100 turns of Civilization. Nintendo has broken the mold before but not always for the best. From comfort and convenience to the Switch 2 game’s library, here are the good, bad, and ugly details of the Switch 2 mouse controls.
Switch 2 Mouse Controls Bring That PC Touch
Not every set-up is meant for every game. From light guns and dance pads to motion sensors and eye trackers, gaming gadgets come in many forms. Most are specialized, delivering top-tier experiences with definite limits. The divide between mouse and controller is a little more complex, with both having broad applications. M+K precision is the default for PC strategy games, something that’s limited the Nintendo line-up in the past. If Nintendo can get its new controls right, it’s opening up a new world of possibilities.
The new Joy-Con mouse controls aren’t necessarily meant for racing games and Soulslikes, of course. Strategy games like Civ 7 are another story. Controller tends to be the clumsier option for them, and that’s where the new Joy-Cons can shine. One issue the Switch 2 may run into is getting enough devs to adapt their games to the new equipment. Just because a game is launching on Switch 2 doesn’t mean it automatically supports the new control arrangement. That means the library of games playable using Joy-Con mouse controls might be limited, either early in the Switch 2’s life or forever.
Joy-Con Comfort and Convenience on Switch 2
Nintendo is comfortable gambling on innovative console designs. The N64, GameCube, and Wii all featured the same creativity. The Joy-Con mouse controls are far from a sure thing, however, even if the idea is good. No matter how stacked the Switch 2 launch list is, it won’t matter if the new controls aren’t comfy. That comfiness is far from guaranteed. The new Joy-Cons might act like mice, but they aren’t shaped like them. While the new controls may work for shorter gaming sessions, hand fatigue and other issues could arise in time.
The Switch 2 follows in its predecessor’s footsteps as both a mobile and at-home gaming option. That leaves it in a weird middle space when it comes to mouse controls. If you’re playing Switch 2 on the go, you’re probably not somewhere conducive to mouse controls. If you’re home, on the other hand, PC offers way more comfortable and customizable mouse options. Nintendo is wise to target PC players and expand the possibilities of its library by enabling mouse controls. Whether players will embrace the changes or be driven off Rainbow Road? That’s another story.
