Nintendo Switch 2 Joy-Con Features Confirmed in New Patent

Nintendo's Next-Gen Joy-Cons: Magnetic Attachment and Mouse Functionality Revealed by Patents

Recent patents filed by Nintendo strongly suggest significant changes to the Nintendo Switch 2's Joy-Cons, moving beyond mere speculation. While Nintendo remains officially silent, leaked reports and these patents confirm magnetic attachment and a surprising mouse-like functionality.

The patents describe a game controller with magnetic mounting to the Switch 2 console. Crucially, it specifies two buttons required for detachment, each magnetically attracted to corresponding magnets within the console's docking recess. The text of the patent reads, "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."

Further details clarify the button 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.”

Remarkably, the patents also illustrate the Joy-Cons functioning as a computer mouse. Holding the controller sideways, the R1 and R2 buttons mimic left and right mouse clicks, with joystick movement potentially providing scrolling capabilities. Illustrations depict both dual-mouse and hybrid configurations (one Joy-Con as a mouse, the other as a standard controller).

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 magnetic attachment was an early leak, but the mouse functionality is a more recent revelation, although subtly hinted at in a January teaser showcasing the Joy-Cons gliding across a surface.

For a comprehensive overview of Nintendo Switch 2 information, see our detailed analysis. Mark your calendars: Nintendo plans a dedicated Nintendo Switch 2 Direct presentation on April 2, 2025, promising official confirmation of these and other features.