Software:Mouse Work
| Mouse Work | |
|---|---|
 Key artwork | |
| Developer(s) | Nitrome |
| Publisher(s) | Nitrome |
| Engine | Unity |
| Platform(s) | Nintendo Switch 2 |
| Release | TBA |
| Genre(s) | Party |
| Mode(s) | Multiplayer |
Mouse Work is an upcoming party video game developed and published by Nitrome for the Nintendo Switch 2. It features a variety of minigames utilizing the mouse functionality of the Joy-Con 2 controller, in which each player controls a pointer-shaped mouse interacting with the environment in different manners.
Gameplay
Mouse Work is a party game[1] in which players assume the role of a mouse undertaking a variety of jobs, each represented by a distinct minigame built around the Joy-Con 2's mouse control functionality.[2] Confirmed jobs include 'Hairdresser', 'Archer', 'Tour Guide', 'Cargo Hauler', and 'IT Support'.[2] Activities in these jobs involve, for example, closing pop-up ads or guiding mountain climbers.[1]
Development
Nitrome began developing Mouse Work before the Nintendo Switch 2's mouse feature was officially revealed, and based the game's concept on industry rumors and a tease of that feature present in the system's announcement video on 16 January 2025. They did not formally receive a software development kit from Nintendo, and used Joy-Con controllers duct taped to computer mice to prototype and develop the game.[3] According to Nitrome founder Mat Annal, they used their experience in creating browser games to make the game very rapidly.[4] The game uses the Unity game engine.[1]
Nitrome cited Pico Park (2016) and Part Time UFO (2017) as inspirations for the game.[1] Several outlets also drew similarities to Snipperclips (2017), another indie game with a multiplayer focus that was released as a launch game for the original Nintendo Switch.[5][4][6][7][8]
Release
The game was revealed on 7 April 2025, a few days after the console's unveiling during a Nintendo Direct on 2 April 2025 showcasing the console. While no release date was revealed, Nitrome expressed their desire to release it "shortly" after the Switch 2's launch on 5 June 2025.[5][9]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Franzese, Tomas (April 16, 2025). "This Switch 2 Game Was Announced Before Its Developers Even Had A Dev Kit" (in en-US). https://www.gamespot.com/articles/this-switch-2-game-was-announced-before-its-developers-even-had-a-dev-kit/1100-6530856/.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 O'Reilly, PJ (2025-07-23). "'Mouse Work' Gets Second Trailer, But Can't Release Until Creators Get Switch 2 Dev Kit" (in en-GB). https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2025/07/mouse-work-gets-second-trailer-but-cant-release-until-creators-get-switch-2-dev-kit.
- ↑ Doolan, Liam (April 11, 2025). "Random: Mouse Work Dev Nitrome Shows Off Its "Frankenstein Joy-Con 2 Alternative"". https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2025/04/random-mouse-work-dev-nitrome-shows-off-its-frankenstein-joy-con-2-alternative.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Phillips, Tom (April 8, 2025). "Switch 2 developer reveals game it gambled on making after hearing whispers of mouse controls". https://www.eurogamer.net/shovel-knight-dig-studio-reveals-switch-2-game-it-gambled-on-making-after-hearing-whispers-of-mouse-controls.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Reynolds, Ollie (April 7, 2025). "Mouse Work Looks Like It Might Be The Switch 2 Equivalent Of Snipperclips". https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2025/04/mouse-work-looks-like-it-might-be-the-switch-2-equivalent-of-snipperclips.
- ↑ Guner, Ediz (April 15, 2025). "One Nintendo Switch 2 Game Feels Like History Repeating Itself" (in en). https://gamerant.com/nintendo-switch-2-snipperclips-mouse-work-similar-how/.
- ↑ Key, Brandon (April 18, 2025). "This Switch 2 Mouse-Based Indie Game Is Trying To Squeak Into The Console's Launch Lineup" (in en). https://screenrant.com/mouse-work-switch-2-announcement/.
- ↑ Franzese, Tomas (April 8, 2025). "This Switch 2 Party Game About Mice Is Built Around, You Guessed It, Mouse Controls" (in en-US). GameSpot. https://www.gamespot.com/articles/this-switch-2-party-game-about-mice-is-built-around-you-guessed-it-mouse-controls/1100-6530703/.
- ↑ Hannah, Zoë (April 8, 2025). "Mouse Work is the newest Switch 2 mouse control game". https://www.polygon.com/news/554797/mouse-work-switch-2-mouse-game-announced.
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