MOUSE: P.I. For Hire

 Nintendo Switch 2
MOUSE: P.I. For Hire Image
Metascore
78

Generally favorable reviews - based on 4 Critic Reviews What's this?

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  • Summary: Step into a world of cartoon animation and retro action-packed adventure in Mouse. Inspired by the best of 30s rubber hose animation and the classic noir style, this retro shooter is a story-driven experience that will take you on a thrilling journey through a dangerous and corrupt city.Step into a world of cartoon animation and retro action-packed adventure in Mouse. Inspired by the best of 30s rubber hose animation and the classic noir style, this retro shooter is a story-driven experience that will take you on a thrilling journey through a dangerous and corrupt city.

    Armed with a variety of mid-century firearms and explosives like the Revolver, Tommy Gun, Hammer, Carcano, Dynamite, you'll be able to take on enemies in any way you choose. Whether you prefer to run and gun, jump and dodge, or carefully plan your attacks, Mouse gives you the freedom to approach combat your way.

    And with the Fantastic-o-Matic power-up system, you'll be able to upgrade your weapons and abilities to become even more deadly. Look for the vending machines scattered throughout the city and choose the power-ups that best suit your playstyle.

    But be warned: the city is full of danger and betrayal. To survive, you'll need to stay sharp and keep your wits about you. With every step you take, you'll uncover more of the story and find yourself caught up in a web of deceit and murder.

    So gear up, get ready to fight, and take on the challenges of Mouse - a retro shooter that will take you on an unforgettable adventure.    … Expand

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 4
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 4
  3. Negative: 0 out of 4
  1. Nintendo Life
    Apr 27, 2026
    90
    Initially, I wasn’t sure how well the mixture of influences and styles was working, but it’s a testament to the attention to detail and polish that’s gone into the whole production that Mouse: P.I. for Hire achieves such a high score. The story takes a bit of time to become truly gripping, but it does so at the exact same time as the combat and style reach new levels of quality, and I couldn’t help but be impressed. While I can’t say I am stunned or in awe of the clue-collecting, I very much enjoyed my playthrough. Mouse: PI for Hire feels fresh and fun, and I only have praise for the whole team who produced it. This animated noir mystery is a great achievement. It takes risks, it’s challenging, it strives to be bold - and it works.
  2. Starbit
    May 6, 2026
    80
    MOUSE: P.I. For Hire has a striking personality that grabs the player right from the beginning thanks to its art style, looks and quality writing when it comes to creating a noir world, and performs equally strongly when it comes to the game's FPS action. Even if its detective component falls below the rest of the experience, this is a very solid and captivating game that fits perfectly on the Nintendo Switch 2 catalogue, further aided by its mouse controls.
  3. NintendoWorldReport
    Apr 30, 2026
    75
    Mouse: P.I. for Hire contains an excellent 6 to 8-hour game that's trapped in the body of a good 10 to 15-hour game. Despite its memorable, eye-catching art style, the lack of color ends up being another factor that makes the length less sustainable. Fortunately, excellent performances from the voice cast and compelling writing give Mouseburg a charming character all its own. Solid first-person shooter gameplay and unique bosses make it easy to recommend for fans of the genre, especially those who don't mind the extended experience. Switch 2 players may particularly enjoy mouse mode, a fitting way to play, but there is some stuttering in Performance mode, which aims at 60 fps. If you love a good trenchcoat-clad, heat-packing hero with a wit as sharp as his cheese, go ahead and hire this mouse to take a sharp-toothed bite out of crime.
  4. TechRadar Gaming
    May 6, 2026
    70
    Mouse P.I. for Hire hits a lot of the right notes with its fast first-person gameplay and brilliant rubberhose-style animation. But on Nintendo Switch 2, the constant frame drops and other technical hiccups hold it back from greatness.

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