Nintendo's reveal of the Switch 2 showed off a few interesting changes that are coming to the new console — from its bigger screen to backward compatibility with games. But one notable feature could be a revolutionary change for Nintendo's ecosystem.Â
Read more: The Nintendo Switch 2 Is on Its Way: Here's What We Know
A brief sequence in the reveal video for the Switch 2 shows the new Joy-Cons. They appear to be larger and to have a new button, but there also seems to be an extra attachment for the Joy-Con that turns it into a computer mouse.
Why is this a game changer? A built-in mouse on a portable console like the Switch 2 means out-of-the-box support for even more games, such as real-time strategy titles like Starcraft 2, 4X strategy games like the upcoming Civilization 7, and simulators.Â
Though the latest PlayStation and Xbox consoles have mouse support, it isn't that convenient to set up, since gamers playing on a TV don't always have a surface within arm's reach to place their mouse.Â
It's an entirely different story with the Switch 2, because the screen detaches from the Joy-Cons and has a built-in kickstand. Someone can set up their console on a table and have their Joy-Con work as a mouse while their screen is right there. It may not be the most intuitive design, but it does offer a solution to the problem of playing, on a home console, games that work better with a mouse.
Though it isn't likely the Switch 2 will become an RTS-heavy console overnight, this Joy-Con feature gives developers one less hurdle to deal with when considering porting their games to the Switch 2.Â
Nintendo will likely explain more about the new Joy-Cons on April 2 during the Switch 2 Nintendo Direct event.