Emil, 17, has just unboxed his brand new Nintendo Switch 2. He grew up with both PC and console and has always dreamed of combining the best of both worlds. Now he is sitting at his desk late at night, the screen flashing with colorful icons from the Switch 2's menu. "Can this really be true?" he thinks as he scrolls through the news: The Joy-Con 2 controllers can be used as a mouse . Emil feels a childish excitement – like when he first tried the Wii's motion controls – because what does this mean for his gaming in the future?
A few minutes later, Emil starts a shooter on his Switch 2. In his right hand, he holds one Joy-Con vertically as usual, while the other Joy-Con is turned to its side. He first tries to navigate around by pushing the Joy-Con directly onto the wooden table. It works, but feels a little uneven. “Maybe I should try something else,” he mutters to himself. Emil fishes out his old cloth mouse pad from the drawer and places it on the table. When he moves the Joy-Con again, it glides smoothly across the surface, and the crosshairs on the screen respond much more precisely. A smile spreads across Emil's lips – the PC feeling is there, on a Nintendo console!
The next few hours fly by. Emil fine-tunes his sensitivity, shoots down enemies with renewed precision, and experiences how the Joy-Con 2's mouse function changes the way he plays . Where he used to use the analog stick to aim, he can now make small, quick wrist movements like with a classic gaming mouse. Over the course of the night, he reaches further in the game than ever before. At the same time, he realizes that a good surface makes all the difference - without the mouse pad, the experience would have been completely different. Emil has no doubt: For Switch 2 gamers like himself, a mouse pad has become as indispensable as the Joy-Con itself.
Joy-Con 2: Nintendo's new mouse function 🎮🖱️
The Nintendo Switch 2 launched with a number of groundbreaking new features, but nothing has surprised fans more than the Joy-Con 2's built-in mouse function . Nintendo has confirmed that each Joy-Con 2 controller can be used as a mouse in compatible games ( nintendo.com ) . It may sound crazy, but the technology behind it is quite ingenious: The Joy-Con 2 is equipped with an optical sensor on the underside (referred to in patents as a “mouse operation sensor”) ( theverge.com ) , which means you can move the controller across a surface just like a computer mouse.
Joy-Con 2 is held sideways and slides across a mouse pad like a PC mouse, giving console gamers a whole new form of control.
In practice, it works like this: one Joy-Con can be used normally in one hand, while the other Joy-Con slides along the table like a mouse ( engadget9889.rssing.com) . Suddenly, you can navigate with a cursor on your console, aim more precisely in first-person shooters and generally get a feeling of PC-like control on the Switch. Nintendo is known for playing with unique control methods, but this time they are building a bridge to something familiar from the PC world. And it looks promising: According to Engadget, the goal is precisely to give us the precision that regular controllers have historically had difficulty matching ( engadget9889.rssing.com) . Think of the difference between aiming with your thumb versus being able to “point and click” – it could be a game-changer for shooter and strategy games in particular.
We're already seeing game developers embrace the opportunity. Nintendo has revealed that the upcoming Metroid Prime 4 will support Joy-Con mice, and even that Civilization VII is coming to Switch 2 - titles that can really benefit from mouse precision ( engadget9889.rssing.com) . And for the many fans of Fortnite: the game not only runs better on Switch 2 at 60fps, it's also getting an update so you can control it with the Joy-Con 2 as a mouse. Epic Games has confirmed that Fortnite on Switch 2 will support Joy-Con 2's mouse controls in Battle Royale and several other game modes ( theverge.com ) - but only from June 7th, via a patch. It's a wild development that brings console and PC gaming closer together. Emil and all other Switch players can now experience something that was previously reserved for PC: the lightning-fast response and accuracy of a mouse movement, combined with Nintendo's unique game universe.
Nintendo Switch 2 mouse pad – the new must-have accessory
With the Joy-Con 2's mouse trick comes a new need that many of us had never considered for a console before: a proper surface . Suddenly, it makes sense to talk about a Nintendo Switch 2 mouse pad . When using the Joy-Con as a mouse, you face exactly the same challenges as PC gamers: The surface is everything for how well your "mouse" (here the Joy-Con) tracks and how smoothly it glides.
Nintendo itself seems to be aware of this. At the Switch 2 press event, large, soft mouse pads were handed out to journalists, precisely to optimize the experience with the Joy-Con mouse. A curious reporter from Polygon even tried pushing the Joy-Con along his corduroy pants to test the limits – and yes, it actually worked in a way ( polygon.com ) . But let's be honest: few of us want to game with the controller rattling across our trouser leg or a random sofa armrest! To get the best experience, we need a smooth, stable and sensor-friendly surface .
This is where the mouse pad comes into play. A good example is PC gaming: No serious PC gamer will compete in e.g. CS:GO without a quality mouse pad under their mouse. Why? Because a mouse pad ensures smooth and precise movements and at the same time protects the table from scratches . Technically, an optical sensor can work well on many surfaces, but consistent materials with a fine texture (like on a gaming mouse pad) provide the most accurate tracking. Even very small irregularities or a glossy table can cause the cursor to jump or lag. According to Lenovo, a quality gaming mouse pad can significantly improve precision because the surface is designed to register every movement accurately At the same time, the best mouse pads have non-slip surfaces so that the mat stays in place , even when things get rough. The last thing you want in the middle of a hectic Fortnite build battle or a Mario Kart race is for your surface to slip out from under you!
In short, the Joy-Con 2's mouse function makes the mouse pad a must-have accessory for Switch gamers. We're now talking about "mouse pads for Nintendo Switch" as something very real - something that made little sense in the original Switch era. Because with the Joy-Con as a mouse, you now only need one thing to complete your setup: a good mouse pad to support your movements. Of course, in a pinch, you can use any random surface, but if you want full control and comfort, you'll do yourself a favor by investing in a proper Nintendo Switch 2 mouse pad .
The ideal mouse pad for Joy-Con gaming 🎯
So what makes the perfect mouse pad for Joy-Con 2 and gaming in general? There are some important factors to keep an eye on:
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Size and space: Joy-Con as a mouse often involves large movements, especially if you prefer lower sensitivity for more precision. An extra large mouse pad (XL) – for example around 90×40 cm – ensures that you don’t run out of space , even when the battle intensifies and you make large arm movements.
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Surface and precision: A smooth, micro-textured surface is worth its weight in gold. It provides the perfect mix of friction and speed, so your Joy-Con glides smoothly, but not too quickly. The fine texture also helps the sensor register even the smallest movements accurately, without the cursor shaking or jumping.
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Stability: Nothing should ruin your flow – especially not a mouse pad that slides around. Make sure the surface has a non-slip base (typically neoprene rubber) that keeps the mat stuck to the table. This way you can make wild, fast movements (think splatrollers in Splatoon or quickscopes in an FPS) without worrying about your surface suddenly shifting.
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Durability and comfort: Gaming sessions can be long (we know 😅), so it pays to choose a quality mat. Water-repellent materials mean sweat or spilled soda won't ruin the surface. Machine-sewn edges prevent the mat from fraying at the edges over time, even with daily use. And a certain thickness in the mat provides comfortable padding for the wrist.
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Design and style: Last but not least – the look! Your mouse pad will become part of your gaming setup, so it doesn’t hurt that it looks cool. Whether you’re into bold colors or minimalist black, there’s something for everyone. An inspiring design can actually give you a little morale boost every time you sit down to game.
Fortunately, there are mouse pads that meet all these criteria – and are even created specifically with gamers in mind. A good bet is the Danish-designed Surface One series, which was developed precisely to combine precision, comfort and stylish design. This series of mouse pads (XL format) has a water-repellent micro-textured surface that gives you “precise control and fast mouse movements” without effort, as well as an anti-slip neoprene base that ensures that the mat stays where it should, even when the going gets tough. In other words: you can game in style without compromising on performance . .
The Surface One mouse pads are available in several unique variations to match your personal style. If you prefer a fresh breath of color, the Pink Waves XL mouse pad might be for you with its pink wave pattern. If you prefer something more stylish and professional, check out the Black Dots XL mouse pad with its discreet dot pattern. For the sci-fi enthusiast, there is the Waving Orbit XL mouse pad , which has a cool cosmic pattern in deep purple. And if you are into the classic look, you can never go wrong with an all-black XL mouse pad that lets the rest of your equipment speak for itself. What they all have in common is that you get plenty of space , a durable quality mat and a surface that feels as good as it looks.
With the right mouse pad under your Joy-Con 2, you'll find that you can take full advantage of the console's new mouse function. Suddenly, aiming in a shooter game or navigating menus feels as natural as if you were sitting at your PC - only with the benefits of the Switch universe on top. Once you get used to it, you'll never want to go back to playing without it. It's a bit like discovering a secret power-up for your setup: A simple accessory that elevates your entire gaming experience.
Conclusion: Nintendo Switch 2 may mark the beginning of a new trend where the line between console and PC becomes less clear. The Joy-Con 2's mouse function gives us console gamers unprecedented precision and control - but only if we remember to give it the right surface. A good mouse pad, such as the Surface One series, can make a huge difference to your performance and comfort. Take the step yourself and upgrade your Switch 2 setup with a proper surface - you won't regret it when the headshots suddenly sit right in the closet 😉. Are you ready to revolutionize your Nintendo Switch 2 gaming with Joy-Con 2 and a mouse pad - and what will be your next move? lenovo.com en gadget9889.rssing.com
