New Nintendo patent discovered, essentially confirms Switch 2 mouse feature [update: more patent details]
Original: Although patents are often hit and miss when it comes to how significant they are in terms of actual products, a new one has come to light that strongly points to mouse-like functionality for Nintendo Switch 2.
The ability to use Joy-Con similar to that of a mouse isn’t exactly new. There were rumors and leaks pointing in that direction before the system was officially announced last month. Then once Nintendo put out its reveal video for Nintendo Switch 2, talk about mouse-like functionality was further supported after Nintendo showed some footage hinting in that direction.
That brings us to today’s patent. The filing is in Japanese which makes it difficult to fully understand what Nintendo discusses in the document. Still, based on various images that the filing includes, it’s very clear what the company is going for. There is also text that flat-out references mice.
Below are some images from the patent:
Nintendo should be discussing Switch 2’s functionality, games, and more during its upcoming Nintendo Direct presentation on April 2. We recently published a piece about what the mouse feature could mean for the system, which you can read about here.
As for the new patent, you can check that out for yourself here.
Update: More potential details are surfacing from other patents. These include:
- Ambient light sensor for the display (like the Switch 1 console)
- Has a touch display (like the Switch 1 console)
- Has a nine-axis motion sensor (like the Wii U GamePad, which has better accuracy with no/much less need to calibrate)
- Three-axis accelerometer
- Three-axis gyroscope
- Three-axis magnetometer
- Pro Controller that can be split and used like a mouse
Thanks to Famiboards for the details above.
