Nintendo is looking to add SNES Mouse support to Switch Online games, it’s claimed

Nintendo looks to be exploring ways to support SNES Mouse games on Nintendo Switch Online.

That’s according to evidence found in the service’s backend by reliable dataminer LuigiBlood.

According to the user, Switch Online’s SNES emulator – which is used for its library of SNES games for Switch Online subscribers – has secretly contained SNES mouse support since launch. However, what’s notable is that there’s now apparent evidence that it was recently significantly updated in the emulator code.

In today’s SNES NSO update, LuigiBlood found evidence of a major rework to the SNES Mouse support, including support for both controller ports, the ability to replace inputs of SNES Mouse devices, and a different behaviour mode.

It’s speculated that the mention of SNES Mouse behaviour configuration could mean that Nintendo is looking into ways to support the SNES Mouse in different, possibly more accessible ways than using a USB Mouse.

Only two games were released for SNES exclusively using its Mouse accessory – Mario Paint and Mario & Wario. A third, Sound Fantasy, was completed but never released. Many other titles use the Mouse via the second controller port for additional functionality.

Most of the games that were released with SNES Mouse compatibility were exclusive to Japan.

Some first-party Nintendo games released following the release of the SNES Mouse warned players that the mouse was not compatible, such as Super Mario All-Stars.