Newly-published Nintendo patents present that the corporate has been exploring a model of its Pleasure-Con controllers that may work like a pc mouse, a characteristic Nintendo has hinted might be coming to the Swap 2. In its Swap 2 teaser video final month, Nintendo confirmed two Pleasure-Con controllers sliding alongside the bottom, very like you’d transfer a mouse.
However mouse-like performance might not simply be restricted to Pleasure-Cons: the patents additionally present that Nintendo has explored including mouse-like performance to a cut up controller with a bigger, extra traditionally-sized grip.
Photos in one patent present a Pleasure-Con being held horizontally, with the SR and SL buttons going through downward, and an individual’s thumbs on the management sticks. This appears to point that the optical sensor can be going through downward with the intention to maintain and transfer the controller on a floor like a mouse.
One other picture reveals the left Pleasure-Con getting used upright whereas the correct Pleasure-Con is used on this mouse mode — think about WASD, however along with your Swap controllers. In a machine translation of the patent, which is in Japanese, the time period “mouse operation sensor” seems 28 instances, which means that there might be expertise contained in the controllers that makes them work like a mouse.
Mouse-like Pleasure-Con have been rumored for some time, however I’ve been questioning if or how that performance would translate to a extra customary controller. Primarily based on the patent drawings, Nintendo has designed a cut up controller with extra conventional console grips, and it seems that a minimum of the correct facet of the controller could possibly be positioned on a floor and operated like a mouse.
Another patent reveals that these Pleasure-Con will be capable of slot right into a wrist strap attachment that appears just like those for the unique Swap. A machine translation of that patent consists of the phrase “magnet” 355 instances, which appears to point that the wrist strap may connect magnetically to the Pleasure-Con. I’m guessing that signifies that the Pleasure-Con themselves may connect to the Swap 2 console magnetically as properly, which has been rumored.
That second patent additionally reveals what seems to be to be a controller dock of some variety the place the Pleasure-Con might be laid down and presumably charged.
Patents don’t at all times translate immediately into precise, transport merchandise, so it’s attainable that these are designs Nintendo explored however by no means pursued. However given the rumors round this tech, and Nintendo’s personal hints in the identical course, there’s a superb probability these provide an early take a look at how among the Swap 2’s new options may work.
Nintendo is about to launch the Swap 2 someday in 2025. The corporate plans to disclose extra concerning the console in a Swap 2-focused Nintendo Direct on April 2nd and is making preparations to attempt to meet demand.