Nintendo’s Latest Patent Hints At Joy-Con Mouse Support For OG Switch – Nintendo Life
GuestGuestLogin | Sign UpNintendo LifeGuestLogin or Sign UpPlus, another mysterious controller is includedA new patent from Nintendo was recently made public which seems to confirm that, yes, the upcoming Switch 2 will indeed feature mouse support. Phew.However, upon digging into the patent a bit more, we discovered a couple of additional nuggets that might be of some interest. Namely, it appears that Nintendo has showcased what looks to be a Joy-Con for the original Switch with the additional optical sensor on the side (alongside that extra ‘C’ button below the Home button, by the way – don’t ask us why it’s missing on the left image below).It’s easily missed because they look so similar at first glance, but putting two images of the Switch 2 Joy-Con and the original Joy-Con side-by-side, you can see that the latter sports the original rail system for the Switch, not the new magnetic system boasted by the successor.See the difference? It’s also worth pointing out that reference ‘774’ in Fig.36 is specifically described as a ‘mouse operation sensor’. Now, it’s likely that Nintendo is simply covering all bases with its patent and we think it’s probably unlikely that the company will come out with new Joy-Con controllers for a console nearly in its ninth year.However slim, mind you, it’s still a possibility – and a wild one, at that.The other thing we noticed is what looks to be a completely different controller utilising the mouse functionality. It could well be that this is merely a prototype design to showcase the technology, but we think it’s interesting that Nintendo would go out of its way to include it in the document.Furthermore, Nintendo refers to the new Switch 2 Joy-Con as the “first embodiment” of the input device, the mysterious new controller as the “second embodiment”, and the original rail-system Joy-Con as the “third embodiment”, suggesting that, yes, these are indeed separate devices.As we’d mentioned earlier, it’s entirely possible that nothing will come of these images and that Nintendo is simply making sure that it’s covered all possible bases. It’s fascinating, however, that the company is looking into the viability of mouse-support on the original Switch.We can’t imagine it would be comfortable, mind you. Those things are way too small.SqueakerRollback netcode, but at a hardware level?A complete guide to Switch 2 – confirmed details, rumours, leak historyWhat do you make of all this? Could Nintendo really release a new Joy-Con for the OG Switch with added mouse support? Let us know your thoughts with a comment down below.[source patentscope.wipo.int]About Ollie ReynoldsNintendo Life’s resident horror fanatic, when he’s not knee-deep in Resident Evil and Silent Hill lore, Ollie likes to dive into a good horror book while nursing a lovely cup of tea. He also enjoys long walks and listens to everything from TOOL to Chuck Berry.Comments 32Would be great to see it being able to be used on past games!This looks exciting. I can’t wait to see what Nintendo do with this technology in their own first-party games.I’m intrigued, but it’s hard to get excited about this without any real idea of how it will be implemented. In any case, it seems like this will only be practical while in handheld/docked modes, and I’m not sure if most armrests would make suitable mousepads.But if anyone can help demonstrate Nintendo’s latest gimmick, it’s WarioWare. Now gimme that WarioWare: Pick ‘n’ Click!I hope it’s just an optional feature for certain games and not a forced feature for some of their first party line up.i still cant get over how mechanically clever the joycons are. ignoring how sensitive they are or how people dismiss them after getting a pro controller, ive taken advantage of every play style they have. even just laying in bed i play with the joycons detached so i can spread my arms and play more comfySo the mysterious C button for Switch 2 will have different function, not as the right click of mouse. Wonder what Switch 1 game that will have mouse controller function.We’ll just have to see if other controllers end up getting mouse support beyond the Switch 2 Joy-Cons (and even if the Switch 1 ones don’t get it, maybe this suggest that we could see it at least for Switch 1 games on the new system?) but regardless, pretty interesting!This could be interesting for Skyward Sword HD…Just imagine Mario Maker 2 with mouse controls. It would’ve been a game changer.I do also wonder if the Switch 2 will get USB PC Mouse support. The Switch already has support for keyboards so it would be possible.Sorry but it’s no hinting, OG joycon is there for reference in the patent.But S2 pro controller is there! It needs to act as mouse controller as well, so you can ‘break’ the S2 pro controller in two.MP4 control option?All this just so they can bring Mario Paint to NSO. It’s a bit excessive if you ask me.How can they patent something Lenovo already have a patent on?It intrigues me how often this site takes the opportunity to throw shade on Nintendo products. It can’t seem to mention the Wii U without the word ‘fail’ in close proximity, and it can’t seem to mention joy-con without the words ‘drift’ or ‘small’ close by.As a person who’s 6ft tall and been described by others as ‘ripped’ and ‘buff’ in recent times, the joy-con are not too small for me. They are my favourite form of controller so far, and the fact they’re getting bigger for Switch 2 is not something I particularly welcome.Ehm, about that C button, isn’t it just a mini trackpad to have the mouse functionality also available while the Joy Cons are attached?I can see that as a very viable option, since the Joysticks won’t properly replicate the mouse cursor functionality properly (less precise and slower), but that “C” button might make it easier to use it.(Pardon my ignorance if I missed something. Haven’t read the patent, but considering the mouse functionality is discussed it seems to make more sense)Is that a freaking nunchuk?!@timp29 that’s what I’m thinking@gcunit Doesn’t everybody do that? I love the Wii U but I will totally say that it was a failure. And the Joy-Cons are cool but I have had numerous problems with them (they keep disconnecting from my console).Joycons suck The button layout sucks too Bring back the GameCube button layout and size!@StewdaMegaManNerd It’s not about whether those ideas are true or not, it’s a question as to why this site takes the opportunity to remind everyone that they think they are true whenever they can. Just seems a bit incongruous and not something I enjoy reading. Both the Wii U and the joy-cons have a lot of positive features and provided me with a lot of great times, so I’d just prefer to be spared the constant pile-on.@Toastmaster lenovo does it differently though.and the original right joycon can already work as a mouse, but i think that only works in labo.I know some owrry about how comfortable a Joycon might be as a mouse, but all they need to do is create a dummy shell for it that has a better, ergonomic grip. Toss that in with the first game that needs it and you’re all set.I’m intrigued to see what applications this has and fun new ideas Nintendo comes up with for use.… But at the same time I can’t help but sense a gimmick with limited useability & support beyond a couple of noteworthy instances (i.e. a host of previous features & peripherals in the pantheon of Nintendo).Nvm this though, where’s our updates on the Wii Vitality Sensor?… that being said if this Switch mouse functionality helps us get a new Mario Paint- I’m all in!@boxyguy I do the exact same thing bro. The Joy-Cons have the best controller design ever. I remember when the Switch came out, I used to carry my new born baby, with both Joy-Cons on each hand hehehe.@gcunit with you on that, I love the joy cons. Something super comfy about playing with your arms to the side and not having to pause to scratch my nose. For me that’s been one of my favourite things about the Switch, a brand new way to play. And I loved playing Skyward Sword HD from beginning to end using motion controls with them.Just give us analogue triggers, Nintendo!!!!Mario Paint for NSO confirmed ! ( + MP64 too )@thedicemaster Yeah.The Lenovo one works in over 200.000 PC Games.My only worry is here’s us thinking mouse as control input and then theres Nintendo only thinking about it as a way of using the touch screen even when its docked.Nintendo “People are gonna love our race-car joy-cons!”The people “Cool, the joy-cons can be used as a mouse!”Nintendo “Oh s***, to the drawing board quick, get those patents out asap! Thank god we havent given a release date for the console yet!”Okay, I’m definitely thinking the “c” stands for “cursor” now.
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