Nintendo Switch 2: Rising Fan Theories on How It Will Change the Game

At first glance the Nintendo Switch 2 doesn’t look all that different from the portable console it evolved from. A slight recoloring, larger screen, but what else? Something… exciting?

Well, eagle-eyed conspiratorial thinkers have some ideas about what the two-minute trailer may have revealed without explicitly telling us. From an intriguing new Nintendo gimmick to possible new Mario Kart mechanics, we’ve rounded up four emerging fan theories about what the Switch 2 has in store for gamers.

Joy-con mouse

Yes, people think that each of the Joy-Cons will act as one Switch-specific mouse– what some call a Mouse-Con.

This rumor is the result of a new hole on the inside of both Joy-Cons, which appears to house a new sensor. While we still don’t have an official explanation, the trailer shows the Joy-Cons walking across a flat surface, like you’re using a computer mouse – it even has a wrist strap, making it look like the tail of a real mouse.

This has led to people speculating how and why a mouse would be useful on a Switch 2. Redditor Spy Wednesday explained that it opens the door to more first-person shooters and real-time strategy games. While these are not typical game genres associated with Nintendo consoles, BootyHugsanother commenter, explained that he plays Civilization VI on his Switch and that a mouse would be a huge help.

Some have already complained that the Mouse-Con will be uncomfortable during long gaming sessions, with Reddior BalintCsala already designing a potential ergonomic housing for it.

That said, others think this could be a new sensor so the Joy-Cons can be used as a sensor wiserlike a Wii Remote.

Mystery button

There’s a button below the home button with no label, and… well, we don’t know what it does. But Redditors are call it the “C” button.

Redditor Ampersand17 believes it could be a mini trackpad, like the old-school Blackberry phones or the Lenovo Legion Go S have, and this follows (pun intended) with the previous theory that the Joy-Cons will also work as a mouse. Others have Theorized it could be a fingerprint scanner, heart rate reader, or even a TV casting button.

In reality, no one knows and everyone guesses, including us.

New USB-C slot

LATEST NEWS: There’s an extra USB-C slot on the top of the Switch 2.

In a YouTube video, IGN Theorized that this could mean USB-C accessories are coming to the device. This could also just be a user-friendly thing that allows you to charge the device from above or below.

Sorry, it’s pretty boring for now… but Nintendo always has fun surprises up its sleeve, so maybe something exciting will come later.

Mario Kart Evolutions

The Switch 2 teaser trailer appears to show the gameplay of a new Mario Kart game.

Side by side, the graphics appear to be a step up from the last coin entry. Mario Kart 8 originally launched over 10 years ago for the Wii U and was later reworked and expanded for the Switch, so the bump in graphics makes a lot of sense.

But there’s more going on here: new model designs, tracks and kart designs convince fans that a new game is on the way. If that’s true, many believe the new game will have that 24 players per race– up from 12 – due to the footage in the Switch 2 trailer.

A deeper look at the video, thanks OneWorldly988 on Reddit shows one kart with triangular wheels and another with sled-like wheels, leading to speculation that wheels can be more or less effective depending on the terrain.

There may also be a fuel or nitrous resource management mechanic in the game, with a tank on the side of Mario’s vehicle and some sort of item at a gas station.

We warned you: Nintendo enthusiasts got a lot out of a two-minute trailer. However, we’re sure there are more Easter eggs and facts to be found, so maybe it’s time to do some more digging.

More details about the Switch 2 will be revealed on April 2 during a Nintendo Direct livestream event. The full console will be released sometime later this year.

Edited by Andrew Hayward