In a recent Nintendo Direct, it was announced that the Nintendo Switch Online service would be updated for theNintendo Switch 2, offering players new features for the existing Nintendo Classics games as well as an additional console library to explore. While it is likely players of the original Switch will still receive new games with their subscription, it is clear that the online service will be giving more focus to the newNintendo Switch 2system.
As the Nintendo Switch Online service adds more games from a wider array of consoles, it is slowly catching up to a Nintendo system that may have been difficult to support on the original Nintendo Switch. With the new hardware features of the Nintendo Switch 2, this may not be a problem. TheJoy-Con 2’s mouse functionalityhas been confirmed to be compatible with much of the Switch 2’s upcoming library, resulting in the innovative mechanics ofDrag x Driveand enhancing the first-person shooter gameplay inMetroid Prime 4: Beyond. If Nintendo allows, there is also one way that this feature could be used to unlock another console for Nintendo Switch Online.
Nintendo DS Games Could Be a Good Fit for the Switch 2
Joy-Con 2’s Mouse Feature Could Mimic the Nintendo DS Stylus
The main issue keeping games from this system appearing on the original Switch is the required use of the touchscreen. While the Switch does feature a touchscreen, relying heavily on this would have meant DS games could only be used in handheld mode, undermining the intent Nintendo has for their hybrid console. Some Switch games likePikmin 3 Deluxeuse gyro controlsto imitate a pointer, but this would be too imprecise for the accuracy some DS games require.
Prior to the Nintendo Switch family of systems, someNintendo DS games were re-released onto the Wii U’s Virtual Console. Being another system that supported two screens simultaneously, these games perfectly transitioned onto this system. With the Switch losing this dual-screen compatibility, it may have rendered DS games impossible to port because of the lack of a usable touchscreen when docked. The Switch 2’s mouse capabilities could eliminate these boundaries completely. Though this would mean Nintendo DS games would have to be exclusive to the new console, it would be a great selling point for players hoping to relive game experiences of the past.
The mouse functionality of the Joy-Con 2 controllers is one of the system’s standout features, and it is likely something Nintendo will want to capitalize on to set the console apart from others on the market. With theNintendo Switch Online’s heavy focus on nostalgia, adding games from the Nintendo DS library as another Nintendo Classics collection would make the console more appealing to longtime fans, as well as new players who may have missed out on this era.
Switch 2’s Hardware Could Upgrade DS Games
In the Nintendo Direct, it was confirmed that the GameCube games available on the Switch 2 would be enhanced visually, improving the original experience with higher resolutions. The DS’ lower-resolution graphics could benefit from this as well, making the visuals clearer than ever. Somegame series are only available on Nintendo DS, so freeing these by porting them to the Switch 2 with improved graphics would be a great way to honor these games.
Another perk of subscribing to Nintendo Switch Online is its online capabilities. Even in classic titles, players are able to connect with each other in specific games to play online. As theNintendo DS had many beloved multiplayer titles, adding these games to the service would give them new life, allowing players to compete and co-operate from all around the world.
Joy-Con 2 Mouse Features Could Call Back to the SNES
While the mouse features have shown great potential for how games can use them in inventive ways, the idea as a whole isn’t new to Nintendo. The SNES had its own mouse, with many different games designed around it, such asMario Paint,Mario & Wario, andWolfenstein 3D. Rumors were circulating thatNintendo Switch Online would support the SNES mouse, and this may be partially true with the new Switch 2 features.
It would be important, though, for mouse-supported games to be listed separately from the rest of the SNES catalog. It should be made clear to owners of the original Switch which games are and are not supported by the system. This would not necessarily be too much of an issue, though. Nintendo has confirmed that theSwitch 2 versions of Nintendo 64 gameswill have features that are not available on the console’s predecessor. If certain features can be restricted based on the system, it is likely that some games can also be made exclusive for one console without causing confusion for players with an incompatible device.
Nintendo might be able to lean into this throwback further by selling a standalone controller based on the SNES mouse. The company has already released controllers based on the consoles of each Nintendo Classics collection excluding handhelds, and this includes theSwitch 2 GameCube controller,which will be releasing soon. It wouldn’t be out of the question for the SNES mouse to get the same treatment, fully wireless for the convenience of modern players.
Adding DS games to the Switch 2 with support for the Joy-Con 2’s mouse features seems like the next step for the Nintendo Switch Online service. Some of the new features for theNintendo Switch 2 seem inspired by the DS, and this connection could be stronger by adding some of the console’s best games for players to enjoy.
