Nintendo has officially announced the Switch 2, which is anticipated to feature a range of innovative capabilities, including a patent for Joy-Con controllers that incorporate a 'sensor for mouse operation.'

This patent, filed in January 2023 and recently published, showcases detailed illustrations of the Joy-Cons, highlighting their potential to provide mouse-like functionality, which could significantly enhance user experience.

In a teaser video released earlier this year, Nintendo demonstrated the Joy-Con controllers being moved on a surface, similar to a traditional mouse, which illustrates their intended use.

The new Joy-Cons will also feature accelerometer technology for limited motion controls and magnetic attachments to the console, minimizing the risk of accidental disconnection.

While Nintendo has not provided extensive details since its initial teaser, more information about the Switch 2 is expected during the Nintendo Direct event scheduled for April 2025.

The Switch 2 is anticipated to support backward compatibility with existing Switch games, although the exact number of compatible titles remains unclear.

Despite the excitement surrounding the Joy-Con features, industry analysts express concerns that the Switch 2 may lack clear innovations to attract a broad audience, similar to the unsuccessful Wii U.

In mouse mode, the controller can be cradled in the user's palm, allowing thumb access to the analog stick, which could open up new gaming genres on consoles.

The introduction of mouse functionality is expected to improve gameplay for PC ports and enhance aiming in shooting games, pending the accuracy and latency of the mouse sensor.

Moreover, the shoulder buttons are designed to function as right-click and left-click buttons, further enhancing usability for various gaming genres.

The patents also suggest a design for a split controller that could function like a mouse, particularly with the right side placed on a surface, indicating a potential shift in gameplay dynamics.

Additionally, reports suggest that the Switch 2 will utilize upscaling technology, allowing games to run at lower resolutions while displaying at higher quality, enhancing performance without requiring high processing power.