Vintage Shooter 'Mouse: P.I. for Hire' Delayed to April 16, 2026

The debut of the stylized first-person shooter, *Mouse: P.I. for Hire*, has been officially rescheduled for April 16, 2026, according to developer Fumi Games and publisher PlaySide Studios. This new launch date shifts the title from its previously announced March 19, 2026, window into the second quarter of the year. The game is slated for release across PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and the Nintendo Switch 2 console.

The development team cited the need for additional time and meticulous care during the final stages of production as the reason for the postponement. *Mouse: P.I. for Hire* seeks to differentiate itself in the shooter genre by combining fast-paced combat, inspired by 'boomer shooters,' with a visual aesthetic derived from 1930s rubber hose animation, similar to early Mickey Mouse cartoons. The game features over 20 distinct levels set in the noir metropolis of Mouseburg, where players assume the role of Jack Pepper, a private investigator.

Jack Pepper is voiced by American actor Troy Baker, known for roles such as Joel Miller in *The Last of Us* franchise and Booker DeWitt in *BioShock Infinite*. Pepper’s narrative involves navigating corruption through a combination of intense shootouts and investigative puzzle-solving. The game's presentation is further defined by striking, frame-by-frame hand-drawn black-and-white visuals, complemented by an original big band jazz soundtrack.

Mechanically, the gameplay emphasizes constant player movement, incorporating abilities like wall-running, grappling hooks, and double-jumping across the 2.5D environment. Pepper’s arsenal includes conventional firearms alongside experimental tools such as a corrosive ray and a freeze gun, intended for use against armed gangs and corrupt police forces. PlaySide Studios, identified as Australia's largest video game developer, is collaborating with Fumi Games on the project, which is built using the Unity engine. This latest adjustment marks the third shift for the title, which was initially planned for a 2025 release before being moved to early 2026, then to March 2026, before settling on the April 16 date.

The game’s launch is set to coincide with a period of activity for the Nintendo Switch 2, which reportedly launched globally on June 5, 2025, featuring hardware upgrades over its predecessor. Developers have expressed eagerness to share further details about the game as the April 2026 release approaches.