Koei Tecmo confirms in a gameplay video that the Nintendo Switch 2 supports USB input

 

The Nintendo Switch 2 Joy-Cons include a few improvements, most notably mouse capability, which adds a new method to play certain titles on the hybrid platform. A developer has verified that the Switch 2 will also accept USB mice. Koei Tecmo released Nintendo Switch 2 gameplay for Nobunaga's Ambition: Awakening Complete Edition last week, demonstrating USB mouse input in the game.

Switch 2 Adds USB Mouse Support
In the roughly 17-minute extended look at Switch 2 gameplay for the grand strategy game, game director and producer Michi Ryu is seen utilizing the Joy-Con 2 controllers, first with both Joy-Cons for controller input and then with the right Joy-Con for mouse input. Ryu clicks the SL button on one Joy-Con, and a notification appears on the upper left side of the screen, verifying that the control mode has changed to mouse operation. To return to controller input, users may simply press the SL or SR buttons again.

"The mouse cursor appears, and you can play like a regular mouse," Ryu explained, demonstrating mouse function with the Joy-Con 2. "The functionality is the same as in the already released Steam version, allowing for left-click, right-click, and wheel operations."

Later in the video, Ryu adds a USB mouse to the Switch 2 and continues to play smoothly. When you connect the mouse, a confirmation message appears in the upper left corner of the screen. "Once you connect the USB mouse, it takes priority over the Joy-Con 2," Ryu told me. Players may also use a Joy-Con and a USB mouse to operate the controller simultaneously.

Nobunaga's Ambition: Awakening Complete Edition, which includes the original game published in 2022 as well as every post-launch DLC, will be available on day one of the Switch 2's debut on June 5. The game will also be available for the PlayStation 5.

The Nintendo Switch 2 has also been verified to feature text-to-speech and live captioning in GameChat. The hybrid console is also expected to include USB keyboard capability. It's worth mentioning that the original Nintendo Switch also supports USB mice and keyboards. However, with Switch 2, mouse input will play a larger role because it is built into the new Joy-Cons.