Star Fox on Switch 2 is perfect without mouse control

Nintendo's newest remake Star Fox Fox brings McCloud and his gang to the Switch 2 with improved graphics and gameplay, but the implementation of the console's mouse controls falls short of expectations. Star Fox It's one of the biggest Switch 2 releases of the year, so it makes sense that Nintendo wants to use it as a way to showcase as many of the console's features as possible. However, some players may find the mouse to be more of a pain control than anything actually useful.

When the Switch 2 was officially announced last year, the reveal of the Joy-Con's mouse functionality was one of the most intriguing features included in the console. It was a perfect fit for a game like this Stardew ValleyBecause those types of games feel better when played on PC. The Joy-Con feature opened the door for developers to get creative with how mouse controls are used, and Star Fox It gets close to working, but not quite.

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After Ocarina of Time and Star Fox, the Switch 2 already has the perfect opening to give a remake of another classic N64 title.

Star Fox struggles to display the Switch 2's mouse controls properly

Playing is a big problem Star Fox With mouse control is that it automatically changes the game to first-person mode. First-person flying sounds like a fun idea at first, but it makes it incredibly difficult to see what's going on around you. That's just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to problems with the Switch 2's mouse controls, though.

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One thing that makes the experience even more frustrating is that the ship can't be moved around like in third-person. Instead, players have to move the reticle around the screen to actually go anywhere. Moves like barrel rolls feel really off, and the overall execution is unfortunately quite clunky. It is very good Star Fox The remake is bringing the series to a new audience, but both longtime fans of the series and newcomers may find using the mouse controls to be more trouble than it's worth.

Flying the Arving Inn Star Fox It's supposed to feel good, and mouse control just doesn't do the trick. There is one big exception to the weird mouse controls, though. They can be off-putting to use as a single player, but they can be a lot of fun when it comes to playing in multiplayer.

Star Fox should make its mouse controls a multiplayer-only feature

Star FoxThe multiplayer contrasts with the single-player mode and provides a great demonstration of why the Switch 2's mouse feature is still worth developers' time. When playing in this mode, one player uses the Mouse Joy-Con to pilot the ship while the other takes over the firing with the other controller. What's even better is that players can also do this in third-person mode if they find the first-person cockpit perspective more distracting than immersive.

For those not interested in two-player co-op, Star FoxThe online multiplayer can support up to eight players.

Despite Star Fox's issues with the tech, Nintendo's mouse controls are the Switch 2's most underrated feature.

For the most part, the Switch 2's mouse controls felt more like a gimmick than a meaningful evolution of Nintendo's design. There have been many innovative ideas from Nintendo over the years, and the Mouse Joy-Con still feels like it needs to be a diamond in the rough. Some popular Switch 2 games have been enjoyed with mouse controls, e.g Metroid Prime 4: BeyondBut there's still a long way to go before the feature becomes a defining part of a Nintendo console's identity.

Whether or not mouse controls work for certain games is deeply subjective, but like games Cyberpunk 2077, Fortniteand Mouse: PI for hire These are just a few of the games that have had mixed reactions to how the controls are used. Due to the small size and mapping of the Joy-Con, even though the feedback is great, it can feel incredibly awkward. One of the most notoriously awkward uses of the Switch 2's mouse controls is surprisingly a game that was supposed to serve as the feature's main demo.

Drag x Drive failed to make Switch 2 mouse controls attractive

using Drag X DriveApproaching a wheelchair sports game as a way to highlight mouse controls was a brilliant idea on Nintendo's part, but it also made for a poor first impression. While some saw the controls as a wonderful innovation from Nintendo, others found Drag X DriveThe gameplay is uncomfortable and highly physically demanding. Nintendo is no stranger to encouraging players to get physical when it comes to playing video games. Nintendo's Wii is the pinnacle example of this, however Drag X Drive’s mouse-centric mechanics were not as compelling as some of the best Wii games over the years, eg just dance and Wii Sports.

Star Fox may have stumbled with its use of mouse controls, but it also proves there's still plenty of potential.

If Star Fox If the reviews prove anything, the Switch 2's mouse control feature may be better suited for multiplayer mechanics. Yes, controls are great for first-person shooters, but it seems like most developers don't know how to make them a natural part of the gameplay experience. Mouse Joy-Cons are a great way to grab the attention of the PC gamer crowd. However, if Nintendo really wants to succeed on that front then their use needs to feel less gimmicky and more integral to the entire Switch 2 experience.

Fox watching his console at Star Fox (2026).

This iteration of Star Fox This marks the fourth time Nintendo has remade the original game that kicked off the franchise.

Star Fox The Switch 2 may not have the perfect use of mouse controls, but it at least features one bright spot that's a solid reminder that there's still progress to be made. The console is barely a year old, so there's plenty of time to grow and for developers to get more comfortable with the new Joy-Cons.