Classic Nintendo Game First to Use Switch 2’s Mouse Controls
▼ Summary
– The Joy-Con 2’s mouse functionality was initially underutilized but gained relevance with the Switch Online release of Mario Paint.
– Mario Paint, a popular 1992 SNES creative tool, sold over 2.3 million copies and influenced projects like Homestar Runner and Super Mario Maker.
– Nintendo unexpectedly added Mario Paint to Switch Online, enabling Joy-Con 2 to function as a mouse for the game.
– Mouse support was also added to other retro games like Mario Super Picross and Nobunaga’s Ambition on Switch Online.
– Users can access Mario Paint with a basic Switch Online subscription, and a USB mouse works as an alternative to Joy-Con 2.
The Nintendo Switch 2’s mouse control feature has finally found its perfect match with the surprise addition of a classic SNES title to the Switch Online library. While the functionality was initially met with curiosity, it remained largely unused, until now. The recent update bringing Mario Paint to the subscription service unlocks the Joy-Con 2’s potential, offering players a nostalgic yet fresh way to engage with this iconic creative suite.
Originally released in 1992, Mario Paint was bundled with the Super NES Mouse, transforming the console into a digital art and music workstation. Its influence stretched far beyond gaming, inspiring early internet animations like Homestar Runner and paving the way for later Nintendo titles such as Super Mario Maker. Despite its legacy, the software never resurfaced on platforms like the Wii or DS, making its Switch Online debut all the more unexpected.
Now, players can revisit Mario Paint with Joy-Con 2 mouse controls, replicating the original peripheral’s precision. The update also includes the game’s soundtrack in the Nintendo Music app, adding another layer of nostalgia. But the surprises don’t end there, mouse support has also been quietly added to Mario Super Picross and Nobunaga’s Ambition, hinting at broader retro-compatibility efforts.
For those without a Switch 2, a USB mouse plugged into the original Switch works just as well, though Joy-Con controls remain functional, if slightly sluggish. Access requires a Nintendo Switch Online subscription, but at the more affordable SNES tier. This revival could spark a new wave of fan creations, echoing the game’s original impact.
In a fitting twist, Mario Paint’s mischievous potential resurfaced during research, a Reddit user once rented the game from Blockbuster, saved an inappropriate drawing, and faced temporary account suspension before cleverly talking their way out of trouble. Some legacies, it seems, never fade.
With this update, Nintendo has not only revived a beloved classic but finally justified a long-dormant feature, proving that even decades-old ideas can find new life in modern hardware.
(Source: kotaku)
