Civilization 7 Dev Firaxis Remains Coy on Nintendo Switch 2 ‘Mouse’ Joy-Con

The Nintendo Switch 2 reveal showcased a potential "mouse" mode for the Joy-Cons. A segment in the trailer depicts detached Joy-Cons placed on a surface, connecting to flat-bottomed connectors and moving like a mouse on a mousepad. A slider pad is visible on one connector, further fueling speculation. Pre-reveal rumors suggested this functionality stemmed from a mouse-like sensor within the Joy-Cons, but Nintendo hasn't offered official confirmation.

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The potential implications for games like Civilization 7, already confirmed for the original Switch, are significant. An IGN interview with Civilization 7's lead designer and executive producer hinted at the exciting possibilities this new control scheme presents. While the lead designer remained tight-lipped, the executive producer offered a suggestive response, acknowledging the intriguing potential and the inherent trade-offs of console controls. He praised Nintendo's controller innovation, hinting at the "cool" possibilities.

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While Firaxis won't announce a dedicated Switch 2 version of Civilization 7 (that's 2K Games' purview), the April Switch 2 Direct might shed light on mouse support and other features. Despite the unknowns surrounding mouse support and a new Joy-Con button, the Switch 2's 2025 release (likely June-September) and a new Mario Kart title are confirmed. Further details can be found in our comprehensive Nintendo Switch 2 coverage.