Mouse Work
Upcoming video game
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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]
