New Nintendo Switch 2 Joy-Con Patents Reveal Magnetic Attachment and Mouse Functionality

While Nintendo remains tight-lipped about the Switch 2's official specifications, recently surfaced patents strongly suggest significant Joy-Con upgrades. Reports of magnetic attachment and mouse-like functionality are now largely substantiated by these filings.

Nintendo's patent application describes a game controller with magnetic mounting. The text explicitly states: "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 clarifies that two buttons are required for Joy-Con detachment. These buttons, located on the top surface of the controller's protrusion, are magnetically attracted to corresponding magnets within the Switch 2 console.

Remarkably, the patent also illustrates the Joy-Cons functioning as a mouse. Holding the controller face down, the R1 and R2 buttons mimic left and right mouse clicks, with joystick movement potentially providing scrolling capability.

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

The patent showcases various usage scenarios, including a dual-mouse setup or a single Joy-Con used as a mouse while the other functions as a standard controller.

The magnetic attachment feature was among the earliest Switch 2 leaks. The mouse functionality, while later revealed, aligns with a January teaser showcasing Joy-Cons smoothly gliding across a surface – a subtle hint from Nintendo itself.

For a comprehensive overview of current Switch 2 information, consult our detailed analysis. Remember, Nintendo plans a dedicated Switch 2 Direct on April 2, 2025, where official details will be unveiled.