Nintendo Switch 2 Joy-Con Features Confirmed in New Patent

The Nintendo Switch 2 might look familiar at first glance, but Nintendo's biggest innovations appear to be hidden within its redesigned Joy-Cons, as evidenced by recently surfaced patents.

While Nintendo remains officially silent, reports suggesting magnetically attaching Joy-Cons with potential mouse functionality are now strongly supported by several newly filed patents. These patents detail both the magnetic attachment mechanism and the mouse-like control scheme.

One patent describes the controller's attachment to the Switch 2 console: "This game controller is detachably mounted to a body device that has a recess, that comprises a first magnet and a second magnet at the bottom of the recess, and that can execute game processing.”

The patent further specifies a two-button release mechanism: "The first button and the second button are provided in the longitudinal direction in the top surface of the protrusion…The first button is attracted to the first magnet by a magnetic force. The second button is attracted to the second magnet by a magnetic force.”

Interestingly, the patent also illustrates the Joy-Cons functioning as a mouse. Holding the controller sideways, the shoulder buttons (R1 and R2) mimic left and right mouse clicks, with joystick movements potentially providing scrolling functionality.

Nintendo Switch 2 Joy-Con patent includes illustrations for the mouse functionality. More images in the link https://t.co/13ZNQtOMqF pic.twitter.com/ey3ufRUWZE

— Wario64 (@Wario64) February 6, 2025

Illustrations depict both dual-mouse configurations and a setup where one Joy-Con acts as a mouse while the other functions as a standard controller.

The magnetic Joy-Con attachment was among the earliest Switch 2 leaks. The mouse functionality emerged later, but a January teaser subtly hinted at this feature, showing the Joy-Cons gliding across a surface—a clear nod to its mouse-like capabilities.

For a comprehensive overview of everything we know about the Nintendo Switch 2, check out our detailed breakdown. Mark your calendars: Nintendo plans a Nintendo Switch 2 Direct on April 2, 2025, promising official details.