- Publisher: PlaySide Studios
- Release Date: Apr 16, 2026
- Also On: Nintendo Switch 2, PC, Xbox Series X
- Critic score
- Publication
- By date
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Apr 14, 2026MOUSE: P.I. For Hire is a visual treat, but it’s also a memorable experience to play. It’s a classic shooter that oozes charisma and will provide hours of good fun.
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May 4, 2026Mouse P.I. for Hire delivers a great narrative coupled with good gameplay and an impeccable setting. There are a few minor flaws that could still be fixed, but it's the kind of game that will hold your attention from beginning to end without exaggeration or cheap tricks.
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Apr 14, 2026Mouse: P. I. For Hire is a great send up to old cartoons and detective stories as well as being a pretty good old-school style fps. There's a lot to like here with its fun Gunplay, solid story and characters, funny animations and good soundtrack. Although it's difficulty may not be enough for hardcore fans of the genre and some things hurt it's replay value, it's a great package overall.
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May 4, 2026MOUSE: P.I. For Hire doesn’t reinvent the boomer shooter formula, but it carves out its own space through a strong visual and audio identity. Its gameplay is solid, accessible, and fun, though it can feel somewhat simple at times. The blend of noir cinema and cartoon aesthetics works better than expected, resulting in a cohesive experience that stands out more for its style and execution than for its ambition.
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May 3, 2026Mouse: P.I. for Hire delivers a striking, unique aesthetic and very enjoyable retro gunplay, though its blend of styles won’t appeal to everyone. Still, as a cohesive and technically polished project, it manages to deliver a high-quality, complete experience that’s rarely seen on today’s indie scene.
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Apr 27, 2026The moment-to-moment FPS gameplay is flawed courtesy of its boxy repetition and lack of kablam in places, but even though it isn't fully accomplished, Mouse: P.I. For Hire is nonetheless an outstanding curiosity that doffs its sleek fedora to Disney and the noir genre.
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Apr 26, 2026Mouse P.I delivers an exceptional amount of cheese and laughter. You will love this boomer shooter when you see it for what it is: an exaggerated, classic cartoon that isn’t concerned with logic.
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Apr 23, 2026MOUSE: P.I. For Hire might not generate as much adrenaline as other boomer shooters, but it more than makes up for it with its charm and visual style. The top notch voice acting helps sell this unique blend of shooting, 30's animation and the Noir detective genre.
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Apr 22, 2026Mouse: P.I. for Hire isn't a Game of the Year contender, but it's definitely a game that will be on many must-play lists in 2026. It's a highly entertaining title that, despite its lack of originality, will surely resonate with many players. Like Jack Pepper, something's missing, and I hope a potential sequel will solve this case.
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Apr 22, 2026Mouse: PI for Hire doesn’t revolutionize anything, but it doesn’t even try. It doesn’t aim to stand out for its substance, but rather for its distinctive look. It succeeds very well: the artistic and visual style is distinctive and captivating, transforming the game into a nostalgic cartoon that we’re drawn into. It’s not a great result, partly due to a somewhat dated gameplay structure, but in our opinion it deserves recognition for Fumi Games’ courage in at least attempting to maintain artistic identity, with a fine result.
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Apr 21, 2026While MOUSE: P.I. For Hire doesn’t quite scratch that detective itch, its incredible aesthetics and lively cast make it well worth the trip to Mouseburg.
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Apr 20, 2026MOUSE: P.I. For Hire does an excellent job of translating 1920s and ’30s cartoon aesthetics into an old-school FPS. It fully embraces its noir setting, delivering clever one-liners, energetic jazz, and a well-written, humor-filled conspiracy to unravel. It’s held back somewhat by repetitive shooting and limited enemy variety, but all in all, it stands as a charming and stylish tribute to a bygone cartoon era.
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Apr 17, 2026Mouse: P.I. for Hire is a good game, it plays well with an engaging story brought to life by the excellent Troy Baker. However, tonally it is all over the shop and the detective part of the game is perfunctory at best, but it gets away with it thanks to the joyous visuals and music.
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Apr 16, 2026Aware of its ambitions, MOUSE: P.I. For Hire avoids delving too deeply into complex mechanics or sophisticated exploration and progression structures, but there's no doubt it manages to blend the "rubber hose" aesthetic with the creation of an undeniably immersive noir atmosphere. The audiovisual excellence, which articulates a spectacular sound design with cohesive art direction, underpins a solid first-person shooter - even if its gameplay is not very innovative - finding a good balance between inspiration and originality.
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Apr 16, 2026Making use of a 1930s cartoon aesthetic, Mouse: P.I. For Hire is absolutely brimming with character and personality. It looks incredible, and it plays well too: this is a fun (if casual) first-person shooter that will keep you entertained from start to finish.
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Apr 15, 2026MOUSE: P.I. for Hire offers incredible art and animation, as well as enjoyable first-person shootouts. For that, it certainly succeeds — just don't expect it to do much of anything else.
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Apr 14, 2026MOUSE is much more than a Cuphead-style shooter. It features a brilliant and highly entertaining story, fast-paced gameplay, and an unparalleled range of environments.
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Apr 14, 2026Mouse: P.I. For Hire is a highly successful experiment that masterfully blends 1930s rubber hose animation with the gritty, disillusioned tropes of hard-boiled noir. While hindered by a rigid level structure that lacks backtracking and some minor repetitiveness in its old-school FPS encounters, the game is tremendously fun. Its chaotic and visceral gunplay is elevated by brilliant writing, caustic humor, and stellar voice acting led by Troy Baker. A lethal and captivating investigation that stands as one of the most stylistically inspired shooters in recent memory.
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Apr 14, 2026Mouse: P.I. For Hire is one of those titles that works better than you think it would. Nailing the Doom-like gunplay and rubber-hose art style, it’s just as enjoyable to play as it is to look at. Plus, with a stellar cast, especially Troy Baker, it’s one of the most memorable shooters you can play. There are a few holes in it, like various glitches and repetitive elements, but it's a cheese worth taking a bite of.
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Apr 14, 2026MOUSE: P.I. For Hire is a new IP shooter at a bargain price. It boasts a stunning rubber hose art style and bombastic soundtrack that compliments its fun level design and solid gunplay.
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Apr 14, 2026There is so much charisma exuding from this game it's almost hard to dislike it and the pacing and gunplay is strong enough to keep you entertained when you aren't dazzled by the incredible art and animation.
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Apr 27, 2026Whilst the constant cheese puns and fourth wall trope-busting may grate after a fashion, there's a lot to enjoy in Mouse: P.I. For Hire. The old school shooting, with even older visual style, brings back nostalgia and challenge in one hit. Whilst more shooter than detective caper, it's still a gouda time.
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Apr 24, 2026MOUSE: P.I. For Hire is a slick, hand-drawn shooter full of personality and style. Repetitive at times, but hard not to like.
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Apr 14, 2026A noir boomer shooter rich in style and atmosphere but limited by its unremarkable gunplay and flat writing, which fails to capitalise on its fun premise.
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Apr 14, 2026Segmenting out these little nuggets of cheese harms much more than its story. Mouse’s ability to successfully channel the golden age of American animation in boomer shooter form is fascinating, as the comedic qualities of this embellished animation style are timeless and not exclusive to just one medium. But that slick presentation can’t make up for unremarkable gunplay and lethargic pacing. It’s common for rubber-hose animation to stretch out various limbs and body parts, but Mouse took that inspiration too far by stretching out its levels, gameplay, and story, too.