Firaxis Silent on 'Mouse' Joy-Cons for Civ 7 Switch 2

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 what appear to be flat-bottomed connectors, and then moving like a mouse on a mousepad. A possible slider pad on one connector further supports this theory.

Pre-reveal rumors suggested this functionality, attributing it to a sensor inside the Joy-Cons similar to those in computer mice. However, Nintendo hasn't officially confirmed this feature or its implications.

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The reveal sparked speculation about potential game adaptations, particularly Firaxis' Civilization 7. While already confirmed for the original Switch, a dedicated Switch 2 version leveraging the new Joy-Con functionality, potentially mimicking mouse controls, is a possibility.

IGN's interview with Civilization 7's lead designer and executive producer yielded a suggestive response regarding this possibility. While the lead designer remained tight-lipped, the executive producer hinted at the intriguing potential of the new control scheme, acknowledging the inherent compromises of standard console controls and expressing excitement about the innovation. He stopped short of confirmation, however.

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While Firaxis won't announce a Switch 2 version of Civilization 7 directly (that's 2K Games' purview), the April Switch 2 Direct might shed light on this and other uncertainties.

Despite the unknowns surrounding mouse support and the 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 comprehensive Switch 2 coverage.