this post was submitted on 02 Apr 2025

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Switch 2 mouse mode (such potential) (www.techradar.com)

submitted 4 days ago* (last edited 4 days ago) by lydon_feen@lemm.ee to c/games@lemmy.world

84 comments fedilink hide all child comments

With the official reveal of the mouse mode for the Switch 2's controllers there is the potential for so many classic games to flood the console.

Imagine what it could do with graphical adventure games, RTS games, management sims, etc.

We already know CIV VII will use the mouse, and I just hope this is just the beginning for a whole range of traditionally non-console games to finally make it to the platform.

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[–] sp3tr4l@lemmy.zip 55 points 3 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago) (12 children)

So... its $50 more than an LCD, 256 GB Steam Deck (the Switch 2 is also LCD).

A Deck has two touchpads that work as mice.

And you can buy a real mouse with those $50 bucks you saved.

Oh right and it has a bigger screen, can run almost every modern to ancient PC game, and basically every retro game if you can handle an EmuDeck or RetroDeck guided installer, oh and it also just is a computer that does everything a mid tier linux laptop can do.

It can even run Switch games, and probably will be able to run Switch 2 games in... what, 2 years? 3 years?

I'm really not trying to rain on the parade here, but uh... yeah I do not understand the cost benefit analysis on a Switch 2 vs a Deck unless:

You really, really want to play Switch 2 games soon

The Switch 2 somehow has vastly superior performance to a Steam Deck

... I kinda doubt that last one being the case, but the specs aren't out yet (afaik) so I guess it is possible.

EDIT: Ok, so uh... tariffs just happened.

Switch 2 may now be $600.

https://www.tweaktown.com/news/104409/nintendo-switch-2-price-may-jump-from-449-to-600-following-trumps-tariffs/index.html

Preorders have been delayed.

Steam Decks are manufactured in Taiwan... so they'll likely jump in price too... but that could possibly be delayed for at least a bit...

I think Valve has warehouses in the US full of them, and they are also a private company with absurdly deep pockets, and thus don't have the 'maximize shareholder profit in current/next quarter' mandate... so they may be able to keep their costs to consumers from raising, by just internally subsidizing them...

But I really have no idea.

[–] Firipu@startrek.website 14 points 3 days ago (4 children)

From my 12y old kids perspective:

The switch 2 plays fortnite and Mario kart. The steamdeck doesn't.

There is no difficult choice for him.

He doesn't give a fuck about anything else. Neither do his friends.

[–] Jestzer@lemmy.world 6 points 3 days ago (1 children)

It’s not just 12 year old kids either; this is how most people in the console market make their decisions. They prioritize the availability of games on the console over the hardware’s specifications and operating system.

[–] Zoomboingding@lemmy.world 1 points 3 days ago

Yup. I want to play Prime 4 and DK Bananza at some point. I don't need to play them day 1, but I'll want to play them eventually. And I'll want to play the inevitable Pikmin 5 and Smash Bros 6.

[–] sp3tr4l@lemmy.zip 5 points 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago)

Yep, I already said the Switch 2 makes sense if all you care about is playing Switch 2 games.

I am not trying to aruge that the Deck is just hands down, inherently superior in all cases, for everyone.

I hope there's a way for you to put parental controls on your 12 yo's Fortnite account's ability to buy microtransactions, and that you have enough time to teach them how to identify and disregard all the dark patterns in the game that encourage irresponsible spending habits, as well as resist all the social peer pressure that comes with an MTX heavy game.

[–] HiddenLychee@lemmy.world 5 points 3 days ago (1 children)

Yeah I think Lemmy often forgets that kids exist and are the target audience for Nintendo games. I say good for them, it might be hella expensive but at least Nintendo appears to be providing a "safe" place for kids to use the internet. There's really nothing for kids anymore these days other than getting an eating disorder on tiktok.

[–] HeyThisIsntTheYMCA@lemmy.world 2 points 3 days ago

We got the nieces and nephews 3DSes, my brother sideloaded some emulators on them and it has been the best

[–] SynopsisTantilize@lemm.ee 3 points 3 days ago

Problem is, the steam deck plays both of those things. Steam deck just needs windows for fartnight

[–] LandedGentry@lemmy.zip 20 points 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago) (2 children)

I am a huge proponent of the steam deck but there are a few things you’re kind of leaving out here

You would be surprised how many people actually don’t have a mouse on hand. But if they do, you do have to calculate that into the cost.
you need a dock or at least a cheap USB-C dongle unless the only thing you plan on hooking up to the steam deck is your mouse, which would be feasible but unusual.
The deck is getting a little longer in the tooth. I love it, I use it a ton, but it is definitely starting to show its age.
It can’t play Nintendo switch/switch 2 games natively, which many people who shit on Nintendo (I am one of those people don’t get me wrong) tend to forget is a pretty huge part of the appeal of Nintendo platforms.
if you plan on doing Couch multiplayer, the steam deck is really not a viable option compared to the switch unless you invest in a bunch of other stuff

[–] tkohldesac@lemmy.world 8 points 3 days ago (3 children)

I agree with everything except #5. If you want to play couch multiplayer for the switch with two people you’re set with the tiny joycons. If you want any comfort playing those games you’re investing in at LEAST as many controllers as you have couch players and the same can be said about the deck. But the Deck has options and years of hardware options that are far more inexpensive than the $90 joycons or $80 pro controllers at launch. Given time I’m sure there may be options for the S2 but I think the Deck has far more inexpensive options for multiplayer.

That said, the deck dock is expensive so maybe my argument is entirely moot.

[–] Firipu@startrek.website 2 points 3 days ago (1 children)

A 10usd Chinese knockoff Bluetooth controller works well enough for multi-player. The true little brother experience is to play with the shitty controller.

For the steam deck, you'd have to buy 2 controllers (potentially both shitty), so the benefit for the switch is still there.

[–] Kbobabob@lemmy.world 2 points 3 days ago

So buy 2 $10 controllers for the steam deck and still save money since the switch costs $50 more to begin with.

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[–] dustyData@lemmy.world 16 points 3 days ago (4 children)

$90 per game. That's an instant deal breaker.

[–] tauren@lemm.ee 3 points 3 days ago (1 children)

Yeah... I was thinking about getting my first Nintendo console, but these prices are ridiculous even if it's "only" $80 for a digital game.

[–] SynopsisTantilize@lemm.ee 2 points 3 days ago

Bro, Mario 64 is the same game as Mario Sunshine is the same game as Mario galaxy is the same game as Mario Odyssey. Just get a cheaper console. Done.

[–] sp3tr4l@lemmy.zip 5 points 3 days ago (1 children)

wait wait wait.

Fucking... what?

... Are they trying to preempt the expected 'GTA 6 MSRPs for $120, base edition and breaks all video game pricing' thing?

I'm seeing $80 for Mario Kart World.

puts on eyepatch and peg leg

[–] dustyData@lemmy.world 7 points 3 days ago (1 children)

$80 digital. $90 physical. With the added spite that the "physical" copy is just a cartridge that loads a code for the game download. It's just a $10 plastic box with an SD card with a download code inside.

[–] CosmoNova@lemmy.world 6 points 3 days ago (2 children)

It‘s interesting they abandoned physical media completely and nobody is talking about it. This makes them a direct competitor to Steam and well… let‘s just say I don‘t see 90% discounts in the Nintendo shop any time soon.

[–] Kelly@programming.dev 3 points 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago) (1 children)

I don‘t see 90% discounts in the Nintendo shop

Not 1st party sure, but there is a weekly deal cycle where 3rd party publishers compete to stand out.

https://www.dekudeals.com/games?filter%5Bcritic_score%5D=70&filter%5Bplatform%5D=switch&filter%5Bformat%5D=digital&filter%5Bdiscount%5D=discounted

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[–] cyberpunk007@lemmy.ca 13 points 3 days ago

In my local pricing, my 512GB LCD deck was almost 300$ cheaper than the switch 2 lol.

[–] catloaf@lemm.ee 7 points 3 days ago (1 children)

You really, really want to play Switch 2 games soon

Or without having to learn to emulate. Or play coop/multiplayer with the joycons.

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[–] Darkcoffee@sh.itjust.works 26 points 4 days ago (3 children)

I mean... A gaming mouse is probably cheaper than the controller alone lol

[–] lydon_feen@lemm.ee 9 points 4 days ago (4 children)

But that's an alternative, and the games obviously aren't made with that in mind.

This is an integral part of the system and obviously games would specifically work with it.

It's a small game changer (IMO).

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[–] LodeMike@lemmy.today 25 points 4 days ago (4 children)

Glad to know that Nintendo admits PCs are the best way to game lol.

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[–] AceFuzzLord@lemm.ee 8 points 3 days ago (2 children)

I can't wait for it to be a thing that only a small handful of actually good 3rd party titles use that feature and the rest are gonna be 1st party titles shoehorning it in to say "Look at our fancy new feature we swear nobody has ever done before! Trust me!".

[–] lydon_feen@lemm.ee 1 points 3 days ago

I can absolutely see it happen.

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[–] Vipsu@lemmy.world 10 points 3 days ago

It's a funny gimmick but all the competitors already have support mouse and keyboard. You can also use them in some games like Sims 4 or Cities: Skylines.

But guess this mouse mode could also encourage 3rd party developers to add mouse and keyboard support for their games on consoles.

[–] arakhis_@feddit.org 7 points 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago) (1 children)

Am I the only one thinking that a huge chunk of the initial audience are Nintendo adults who already have a pc for main games and a switch on the side?

Feels like this gimmick (although every new Nintendo console gets one) was so forced just to upsell a switch 1 and justify splitting the community with exclusive releases. Really sad to see mk world not playable with a player base on switch 1. Most next gen were happily bought enough with a reasoning in increasing hardware (which the switch 2 really also does well).

Just the predatory move of splitting or even passively force the playerbase to leave behind the switch 1, makes the mouse sensor so MEH.. I mean.. lackluster in my eyes. Idk

[–] SynopsisTantilize@lemm.ee 4 points 3 days ago (1 children)

Sure but the switch is 10 year old hardware. You know what else was released at that time? The iPhone 6s....do you currently use an iPhone 6s?

[–] arakhis_@feddit.org 3 points 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago) (1 children)

yes lol. I also have a 4070ti though

EDIT: I have no clue where this could be a relevant argument

[–] SynopsisTantilize@lemm.ee 2 points 3 days ago

Yea I use a 2080ti and currently am playing FTL (2012) I have no room to talk lol

[–] SnotFlickerman@lemmy.blahaj.zone 13 points 3 days ago (1 children)

Two words: Mario Paint

[–] HeyThisIsntTheYMCA@lemmy.world 2 points 3 days ago

Awww yisssss

[–] Hazelnutcookiez@lemmy.blahaj.zone 3 points 2 days ago

I'm pretty excited for this feature honestly, I know a lot of games won't use it but still it's gonna be fun.

[–] acosmichippo@lemmy.world 14 points 4 days ago (1 children)

i can't imagine that will be comfortable to use for any significant amount of time.

[–] lydon_feen@lemm.ee 5 points 4 days ago (2 children)

Sure, that's a valid point. But in this case there can be actual mice for the Switch 2 because the games Will support mouse mode.

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[–] LiveLM@lemmy.zip 9 points 3 days ago (1 children)

That looks much less comfortable than the way the Lenovo Legion handles it.

...also the pessimist in me is afraid this will result in less games with gyro aiming support...

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[–] vane@lemmy.world 2 points 2 days ago

RIP floors and tables.

[–] Skyline969@lemmy.ca 8 points 4 days ago (2 children)

Could be useful for RimWorld. Factorio maybe.

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[–] O_R_I_O_N@lemm.ee 2 points 3 days ago

Lol

[–] NuXCOM_90Percent@lemmy.zip 5 points 4 days ago* (last edited 4 days ago) (1 children)

Eh?

Conceptually I like the idea.

But even if it isn't uncomfortable to use and has decent DPI? It is going to have the same problem the OG steam controller or even the PS5 adaptive triggers have. If only one platform is going to use an input type then it is not going to be used by any third parties.

Yes, in this case it is two platforms: Switch and PC. But the number of developers who will say "I can make a switch port and only a switch port of my game" are few and far between. They'll once again focus on how to make gamepad work because that gives them ALL the consoles, the Steam Deck, and even helps us olds with RSI.

[–] lydon_feen@lemm.ee 5 points 4 days ago (1 children)

First, if they already have a PC port your point is moot. They would still need to make a controller version for the Xbox and PS5, but the switch can use both.

Secondly, some games are simply not released on consoles because it simply doesn't translate well without a mouse, like RTS games, for example.

[–] NuXCOM_90Percent@lemmy.zip 4 points 4 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago)

You DO realize that a port is not just as simple as picking the dropdown in your editor to compile for switch versus xbox versus PC, right?

There is a substantial amount of effort to do any kind of port. And for one where the default experience is a 1080p handheld display? The kinds of games that only have M+KB support (because people are also forgetting the "KB" part...) are not the ones that run the best on tiny screens. And where the default use case is having both joycons still connected to the device.

Don't get me wrong. There are definitely corner cases. But we literally went through this with the Steam Controller a decade or so ago (15 years?). Consoles are a giant part of the market and targeting xinput gets you an interface that works on all of those AND improves the experience for a lot of users on PC. Versus finding a way to downscale your input to just a mouse and 8-10 buttons?

The number of third parties that meaningfully benefit from the switch-mouse are going to be very small. And most, if not all, of them will also have gamepad support for people who don't want to have to sit at at a table with a surface that is compatible with said switch mouse.

OH! If studios were really going to specifically target switch ports for RTSes and Grand Strategy games, we would have seen a lot more that took advantage of the motion controls of the Switch 1. That shit was wild.

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