Co-Op & Mouse Targeting Controls
Last updated: June 2026
Joy-Con 2 Mouse Targeting
Star Fox on Nintendo Switch 2 introduces Mouse Targeting — a Switch 2-exclusive control scheme that treats the Joy-Con 2 IR sensor like a desktop mouse. Solo players and co-op gunners can drag the reticle across the cockpit glass for precision shots that are difficult with stick alone. Mouse mode is available in Campaign and Challenge; it is disabled in Battle Mode to keep competitive play uniform.
Enabling Mouse Mode
- Open Options → Control Settings → Mouse Targeting and set to On or Co-Op Gunner Only.
- Hold the Joy-Con 2 flat with the sensor facing the floor or desk surface.
- Slide your hand to move the crosshair; press A to fire and hold A to charge lock-on shots.
- Press Y to drop bombs at the reticle position; double-tap Y to detonate.
- Press the assigned toggle (default −) to snap back to stick control without leaving the mission.
Mouse aiming pairs naturally with gyro disabled — many players run stick flight on the left Joy-Con 2 and mouse fire on the right. For all-range stages like Sector Y and Bolse, the gunner can sweep 360° while the pilot focuses on positioning for medal routes.
Pilot and Gunner Co-Op
Local co-op splits one Arwing between two players. After selecting Co-Op: Local from the title screen, assign roles on the character select screen. The pilot holds a Joy-Con 2 horizontally (or a Pro Controller) and manages every flight input from the full controls list: steering, boost, brake, barrel rolls, somersaults, and U-turns. The gunner uses Mouse Targeting for weapons only.
Why Co-Op Feels Different
Unlike casual co-pilot modes in other Nintendo titles, Star Fox gunner duty is tense. The pilot must keep enemies in the gunner's field of view while the gunner charges shots on priority targets — Falco rescue chains on Corneria, warp rings on Meteo, or Copperhead missiles on Sector Z. Communication matters: call out when you barrel roll so the gunner does not waste a charged shot mid-flip.
Split Joy-Con Setup
Detach both Joy-Con 2 controllers from the grip. Player one docks the left Joy-Con for throttle and uses SL/SR as shoulder substitutes if needed. Player two takes the right Joy-Con in mouse posture. A single Switch 2 console supports this out of the box; no Pro Controller required. Battery life is shorter in mouse mode — keep controllers charged before long hard route sessions.
N64 Controller Support
The Nintendo Switch Online N64 Controller is officially supported for Star Fox Switch 2. Map it to the pilot role for authentic C-button nostalgia with updated analog precision. The N64 pad cannot emulate mouse aim, so hybrid setups work best: N64 pilot plus Joy-Con 2 gunner. Legacy preset on the N64 controller mirrors original boost on Z and brake on B equivalents via the expansion mapping screen.
N64 control limitations: no HD rumble cues for missile warnings, and no IR pointer for gunner co-op. It excels in solo Expert runs where muscle memory from Star Fox 64 transfers directly. Battle Mode accepts N64 controllers locally but online ranked queues expect Joy-Con 2 or Pro Controller for parity.
GameShare Gunner Over GameChat
Online co-op uses GameShare through GameChat sessions. The host owns the cartridge or digital license; guests download a temporary slice and join as gunner or pilot. Latency-sensitive stages — Zoness stealth and Macbeth switch timing — benefit from voice chat via GameChat so the pilot can call buoy positions while the gunner clears searchlights.
Co-Op Control Reference
| Role | Movement | Weapons | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pilot | Sticks, ZL/ZR boost, barrel rolls | None (unless solo hybrid) | Routing, ring chains, boss positioning |
| Gunner (mouse) | None | A laser, Y bombs, charge shots | Medal hit counts, escort defense |
| Solo + mouse | Left stick / optional gyro | Right Joy-Con 2 mouse | Precision Challenge objectives |
| N64 pilot | Full classic layout | Face buttons if solo | Legacy players, Expert mode |
Practice co-op on controls training before committing to a GameShare campaign. Full story co-op rules — continue limits, medal credit, and difficulty scaling — are documented on the co-op campaign page.
Related Guides
Frequently Asked Questions
Hold the Joy-Con 2 horizontally with the IR sensor facing down, like a PC mouse. Drag to aim from the cockpit reticle and click by pressing A or ZR depending on your preset. Toggle mouse mode in Control Settings under Campaign options.
Yes. Solo pilots can swap between stick and mouse targeting at any time in Campaign and Challenge. Mouse mode offers finer aim for charged shots and bomb placement without enabling co-op.
Campaign and Challenge only. Battle Mode uses standard per-player ship control. Co-op is unavailable in Holoviewer gallery or medal replays.
No. The pilot controls all movement, boost, barrel rolls, and somersaults. The gunner handles laser fire, charged shots, and smart bombs via mouse or right-stick assist.
Yes. Host a GameChat session and share the campaign via GameShare. The guest joins as gunner or pilot remotely on Switch 2. Local GameShare also works between Switch and Switch 2 for compatible builds.
The NSO N64 Controller works for solo pilot play with classic mapping, but it lacks mouse features. Assign the N64 pad to the pilot and give the gunner a Joy-Con 2 for mouse aim in local co-op.
Yes. On Landmaster and Blue-Marine stages the gunner controls the turret or torpedo reticle independently while the pilot drives. See vehicle controls for stage specifics.