Nintendo Switch 2 Joy-Con Features Confirmed in New Patent

The Nintendo Switch 2 may look familiar at first glance, but new patents reveal Nintendo's biggest innovations lie in its redesigned Joy-Cons. While official confirmation is pending, reports and patents strongly suggest magnetic attachment and surprising mouse functionality.

A Nintendo patent describes a game controller with magnetic mounting to a console featuring a recessed area with two magnets. The patent specifies two buttons, one attracted to each magnet, required for Joy-Con detachment. The text 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.” It further explains: “The first button and the second button are provided in the longitudinal direction in the top surface of the protrusion,” the patent says. ‘The first button and the second button are to be pressed by a user. 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.”

The patent also showcases illustrations depicting Joy-Con use as a mouse. Holding the controller sideways, the shoulder buttons (R1 and R2) function as left and right mouse clicks, with joystick movements potentially offering scrolling capabilities.

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

For a complete overview of the Nintendo Switch 2, check out our comprehensive breakdown. Mark your calendars for April 2nd, 2025, when Nintendo's Switch 2 Direct will unveil official details.

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