By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
World of SoftwareWorld of SoftwareWorld of Software
  • News
  • Software
  • Mobile
  • Computing
  • Gaming
  • Videos
  • More
    • Gadget
    • Web Stories
    • Trending
    • Press Release
Search
  • Privacy
  • Terms
  • Advertise
  • Contact
Copyright © All Rights Reserved. World of Software.
Reading: After Playing Switch 2 for a Month, I’m Worried Nintendo’s Mouse Controls Are a Gimmick Waiting for a Game
Share
Sign In
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
World of SoftwareWorld of Software
Font ResizerAa
  • Software
  • Mobile
  • Computing
  • Gadget
  • Gaming
  • Videos
Search
  • News
  • Software
  • Mobile
  • Computing
  • Gaming
  • Videos
  • More
    • Gadget
    • Web Stories
    • Trending
    • Press Release
Have an existing account? Sign In
Follow US
  • Privacy
  • Terms
  • Advertise
  • Contact
Copyright © All Rights Reserved. World of Software.
World of Software > News > After Playing Switch 2 for a Month, I’m Worried Nintendo’s Mouse Controls Are a Gimmick Waiting for a Game
News

After Playing Switch 2 for a Month, I’m Worried Nintendo’s Mouse Controls Are a Gimmick Waiting for a Game

News Room
Last updated: 2025/07/27 at 8:22 PM
News Room Published 27 July 2025
Share
SHARE

After years of speculation, rumors, and almost unprecedented hype, the Nintendo Switch 2 has finally arrived, and the response has been (mostly) positive. But there are still a number of pain points, including the console’s price, compatibility questions surrounding Switch 1 accessories, confusing upgrade paths, and an unpopular physical release scheme. Not to pile on, but one other issue I’m seeing is the system’s new Joy-Con 2 mouse mode.


How Mouse Mode Works

The Switch 2’s Joy-Con 2 controllers can be laid down on their edges and used like a PC mouse. Strapping a pair of mice to a portable console is a pretty exciting (and extremely weird) idea. It’s the kind of bizarre gimmick that Nintendo has successfully pulled off 50% of the time. For every Wii Motion Plus, there’s a Rob the Robot. But can they stand up to the hype?

Either of the controllers can be used as a mouse, or both simultaneously, if you’re playing a game that supports dual-mouse input, such as Nintendo’s upcoming Drag x Drive. To use a Joy-Con 2 controller as a mouse, just detach it from the body of the Switch and turn it on its side. In my experience, the console automatically detected mouse input on the fly, allowing me to instantly control menus or play compatible games. If you get sick of mouse controls and want to swap back to controller input, you can just pick up the Joy-Con without having to wade through menus or re-pair the controllers. 

PCMag Logo

Nintendo Switch 2: The Switch Just Got Better

While in mouse mode, any of the shoulder buttons (L, R, ZL, or ZR) can be used as the equivalent of the left mouse click of a PC mouse. The B button, which is easily reached in horizontal mode, functions as the right mouse button on PC. The analog sticks work much like a traditional mouse wheel, letting you easily scroll through menus. Alternatively, one stick can be used for movement controls while the other Joy-Con is in mouse mode to look around in first- or third-person games. 

Overall, mouse controls worked surprisingly well. They’re accurate enough to navigate menus easily and sensitive enough to work even on uneven surfaces like a pant leg or the arm of a sofa. 


Newsletter Icon

Newsletter Icon

Get Our Best Stories!

Your Daily Dose of Our Top Tech News


What's New Now Newsletter Image

Sign up for our What’s New Now newsletter to receive the latest news, best new products, and expert advice from the editors of PCMag.

Sign up for our What’s New Now newsletter to receive the latest news, best new products, and expert advice from the editors of PCMag.

By clicking Sign Me Up, you confirm you are 16+ and agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

Thanks for signing up!

Your subscription has been confirmed. Keep an eye on your inbox!


Can Mouse Mode Replace a Gaming Mouse?

Unfortunately, how well a feature works and how good it feels to use are two very different things. I’ve found the Switch 2 mouse to be perfectly adequate for maneuvering around the UI and for slow-paced strategy games, such as Civilization VII and Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess. But for shooters, such as Fortnite, which require faster reaction times, it doesn’t feel natural or responsive enough to use long-term. If you use mouse controls on a PC, the difference in comfort, ergonomics, and responsiveness is clear. I can see some having modest success with mouse mode, but most will prefer the Joy-Cons or Pro Controller.

switch 2 joy-cons 2

(Credit: Joseph Maldonado)

The other big issue I had was comfort. Without the width and ergonomics of a PC mouse, it’s awkward to hold the Joy-Con 2 in mouse mode for any length of time. My hand had to contort into an unnatural claw shape to push it around, which inevitably led to aches and cramping after extended sessions. Also, while you can use mouse controls on uneven surfaces, it’s hardly ideal. If your console is set up somewhere away from a desk or table, you’ll likely prefer a standard controller in most cases. If you’re truly dedicated to using the Joy-Con 2 as a mouse, I’ve already seen accessories that make holding it more comfortable.

Recommended by Our Editors

Of course, the issue is mostly moot considering the Switch 2 also supports USB mice. If you’re craving mouse controls in your game, there’s a whole world of options that will work and feel better than the clumsy Joy-Con 2. Anyone who’s serious about mouse controls will want to use their own peripheral anyway.


Gimmick or Greatness?

So, is the Switch 2’s mouse mode a new killer feature or Nintendo’s latest gimmick? Unfortunately, it’s hard to tell for sure because so few titles support the controls at this time. Unless you’re a Civ VII fanatic who only plays on Switch 2, games where mouse controls are the best choice are few and far between. The console’s built-in mouse controls are a great way to court big publishers into porting their PC games over to the Switch 2, but the only real hope is what Nintendo does from here.

Nintendo has not always had the best luck getting the industry to use its console features. How many third-party games did you play on the Switch that used gyro aiming or touch controls? Even the Wii had trouble getting developers to take full advantage of motion controls. A game like Drag X Drive, which puts the control scheme front and center by requiring you to use two Joy-Con mice simultaneously, is how you get a gimmick to catch on. If other titles in the works make full use of the Joy-Cons as mice, it could be huge. If not, well, I know how Nintendo can drop the price of the console when it releases a Switch 2 Lite in a few years.

How to Share Games on Nintendo Switch 2

PCMag Logo

How to Share Games on Nintendo Switch 2

About Alan Bradley

Contributor

Alan Bradley

Alan is an experienced culture and tech writer/editor with a background in newspaper reporting. His work has appeared in Rolling Stone, Paste Magazine, The Escapist, ESPN, PC Gamer, and a multitude of other outlets. He has over twenty years of experience as a journalist, author, and editor.

Read Alan’s full bio

Read the latest from Alan Bradley

Sign Up For Daily Newsletter

Be keep up! Get the latest breaking news delivered straight to your inbox.
By signing up, you agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge the data practices in our Privacy Policy. You may unsubscribe at any time.
Share This Article
Facebook Twitter Email Print
Share
What do you think?
Love0
Sad0
Happy0
Sleepy0
Angry0
Dead0
Wink0
Previous Article Rumor: iPhone 17 Pro could have three unexpected camera upgrades – 9to5Mac
Next Article The HackerNoon Newsletter: Why Teams Are Ditching DynamoDB (7/27/2025) | HackerNoon
Leave a comment

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Stay Connected

248.1k Like
69.1k Follow
134k Pin
54.3k Follow

Latest News

Autonomous shuttle projects secure government funding – UKTN
News
Chinese tea brand Chagee opens first north american store, taps former McDonald’s exec for global expansion · TechNode
Computing
There’s one big issue with the Galaxy Watch 8 – and it’s nothing to do with hardware
Gadget
Best Pixel 10 deals: pre-order promos to expect
News

You Might also Like

News

Autonomous shuttle projects secure government funding – UKTN

3 Min Read
News

Best Pixel 10 deals: pre-order promos to expect

3 Min Read
News

Elon Musk Confirms X Is Working to Fix ‘Due to Local Laws’ Bug

7 Min Read
News

The ‘affordable’ Tesla is, in fact, the Model Y. Here’s what that really means.

3 Min Read
//

World of Software is your one-stop website for the latest tech news and updates, follow us now to get the news that matters to you.

Quick Link

  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of use
  • Advertise
  • Contact

Topics

  • Computing
  • Software
  • Press Release
  • Trending

Sign Up for Our Newsletter

Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!

World of SoftwareWorld of Software
Follow US
Copyright © All Rights Reserved. World of Software.
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Lost your password?