Nintendo Unveils Joy-Con Enhancements in Latest Patent

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

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

A Nintendo patent describes a game controller with magnetic mounting: "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.”

Remarkably, the patent showcases 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 movements potentially providing scrolling capabilities.

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 and hybrid configurations—one Joy-Con as a mouse, the other as a standard controller.

The magnetic attachment was an early Switch 2 leak; the mouse functionality emerged later. However, a January teaser subtly hinted at this feature, showing the Joy-Cons smoothly gliding across a surface.

For a comprehensive overview of known Switch 2 details, consult our detailed analysis. Mark your calendars: Nintendo's Switch 2 Direct is scheduled for April 2nd, 2025, promising official confirmation of these and other features.