Firaxis Hints at 'Mouse' Joy-Con for Nintendo Switch 2 in Civilization 7

If you watched the Nintendo Switch 2 reveal video, you might have noticed an intriguing feature: a potential 'mouse' mode for the Joy-Cons. In the trailer, there's a scene where a pair of detached Joy-Cons are placed attachment side down on a surface, connecting to flat-bottomed connectors. They then glide across the surface, reminiscent of a mouse on a mouse pad. A closer look even reveals a slider pad on one of the connectors, adding weight to the speculation.

Prior to the reveal, rumors suggested that this functionality could be enabled by a sensor inside the Joy-Cons, similar to those found in computer mice. However, Nintendo has yet to officially confirm these rumors or explain their implications.

Nintendo Switch 2 - First Look

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Following the reveal, many gamers immediately thought of Firaxis’ Civilization 7. Confirmed for the original Switch and likely playable on the Switch 2 through backward compatibility, the question arises: will there be a version tailored for the Switch 2 that utilizes this new Joy-Con feature, enabling mouse-like gameplay for this 4X strategy game?

IGN discussed the Switch 2's reveal and its potential mouse functionality with Civilization 7's lead designer Ed Beach and executive producer Dennis Shirk. While Beach remained silent, Shirk's response was tantalizingly vague, fueling further speculation. "It is definitely intriguing," Shirk said. "You always do some trade-offs when you have to deal with pure console controls. And the announcement has some great stuff in it. I love what they're doing with the controllers. It's all very cool. That's about all I can say about it in terms of an opinion. I think it looks awesome and they're not wrong, so it would be cool for something like that."

While Firaxis isn’t ready to announce a Nintendo Switch 2 version of Civilization 7, leaving that to publisher 2K Games, a Switch 2 Direct in April might shed more light on this. Although the potential for mouse support on the Switch 2 remains unconfirmed, along with details about a mysterious new Joy-Con button, we do know that Nintendo's next-gen console is slated for release in 2025, likely between June and September. Additionally, a new Mario Kart game is in development for the Switch 2. For more details on all things Nintendo Switch 2, you can catch up on our comprehensive coverage.