The FPS That Looks Like a 1930s Cartoon
MOUSE: P.I. For Hire launches on April 16, 2026, on Steam, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch 2 for $29.99. Developed by Fumi Games and published by PlaySide, this is one of the most visually distinctive games of the year — a first-person shooter built entirely around the rubber hose animation style of classic 1930s cartoons.
The inspiration is obvious: when the copyright on Mickey Mouse's Steamboat Willie expired in 2024, Fumi Games revealed something creative with the aesthetic. MOUSE: P.I. For Hire takes the classic cartoon look and applies it to a noir detective story with explosive gunplay.
What Is MOUSE: P.I. For Hire?
You play as Jack Pepper — voiced by Troy Baker — a hard-boiled mouse detective working to clear the streets of Mouseburg from crooked cops and heavily armed gangs. The game combines investigative sections where Jack finds clues and solves puzzles with combat sections featuring a full arsenal of cartoon firearms and gadgets.
Every character, weapon, and animation is hand-drawn frame by frame in the classic rubber hose style. The result is a game that looks completely unlike anything else on Steam. One preview noted that picking up a secret figurine triggered an animation so fluid and expressive that the reviewer reloaded a previous save just to watch it again.
The gameplay:
- 12-20 hours depending on exploration depth
- Weapon upgrades via schematics found throughout levels
- Power-up vending machines scattered across Mouseburg
- Collectibles including newspapers and comic books
- An original big band jazz soundtrack featuring a collaboration with Caravan Palace
Troy Baker as Jack Pepper
Troy Baker — known for his performances as Joel in The Last of Us, Higgs in Death Stranding, and Indiana Jones in Indiana Jones and the Great Circle — voices the protagonist Jack Pepper. The casting adds significant star power to what was already a visually striking indie release.
Editions and Pricing
Standard Edition — $29.99 Base game on Steam, PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch 2.
Digital Deluxe Edition — $39.99 Includes the Standard Edition plus the first major story DLC, the official soundtrack, and a comic expanding on the game's lore.
A physical Deluxe Mouseburg Edition releases July 10, 2026 for PS5, Xbox Series X, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC (Steam code in box).
Should It Go On Your Backlog?
MOUSE: P.I. For Hire is a single-player FPS with a clear beginning and end — one of the most completable genres for backlog hunters.
Buy it now if:
- Cuphead's visual style appealed to you
- You want a focused single-player FPS you can finish in a weekend or two
- Troy Baker's involvement is a draw
- $29.99 feels like fair value for 12-20 hours
- You are still working through March's releases (Crimson Desert, Death Stranding 2)
- You want to wait for review scores before purchasing
The Backlog Coach Take
MOUSE: P.I. For Hire is launching alongside REPLACED and just before Pragmata — April 16 is one of the most crowded single days for PC releases this year. If you can only pick one, check the demos and reviews first. But at $29.99 for a fully hand-drawn 12-20 hour FPS, this is strong value for a focused single-player experience.