A Nintendo Switch 2 joy-con mouse could benefit Civilization 7 and other strategy games
Among the many theories about Switch 2 specs, its new joy-con controller is raising the most questions. Ahead of the Switch 2 release date, leaks have suggested the use of Hall effect analog sticks or even predictive inputs. However, Nintendo's announcement video also showed the controllers sliding on a surface like a mouse. During an IGN interview, the Civilization 7 executive producer commented on its potential benefits to Switch 2 strategy games.
In Nintendo's reveal trailer, gamers see the joy-con snapping onto the sides of the new console, presumably with magnets. Before the controllers connected to the Switch 2, they took advantage of their freedom by imitating wireless mice. Viewers can barely make out some pads on the bottom of the joy-con and a rumored optical sensor could track its movements.
IGN asked Firaxis Games' Dennis Shirk what implications a joy-con mouse mode might have on Civilization 7. Without going into detail, he praised Nintendo for innovating the controllers. The latest Sid Meier game would welcome more horsepower and a larger screen, but the Switch 2 could improve gameplay in more unexpected ways.
Large-scale strategy and simulation games have always posed a challenge for the Switch. The city-builder Skylines 2 has yet to debut on the Xbox Series X or PS5, let alone Nintendo's handheld console. Some concerns are with performance, but without a mouse, controls often have to be simplified for these gaming systems.
When in handheld mode, the Switch joy-con excels with games using motion controls or simplistic button schemes. Its limitations quickly become apparent when precise cursor movements are necessary for strategy titles. Managing empires in Civilization 7 is already difficult without accurate inputs. A recent Nintendo patent also pointed to the joy-con's ability to learn and predict a player's behavior. Whether for fighting or RTS games, Switch 2 gamers may find less need for a pro controller.
