MOUSE: P.I. For Hire Delayed Another Month on PS5 to Make It 'An Experience to Remember'

MOUSE: P.I. For Hire, the black-and-white, hand-animated FPS, has been delayed.

It was previously targeting 19th March, 2026, but its release date has now moved a few weeks to 16th April.

Developer Fumi Games and publisher PlaySide Studios shared a statement about the decision on the game's social channels:

"We have made the decision to move the release date of MOUSE: P.I. For Hire to 16 April 2026," it reads. As for why it's been pushed back, it's your usual reasoning: more time required for that final polish.

"As we approach the final stages of development, we want to ensure we are taking the extra time and care needed to make MOUSE: P.I. For Hire an experience to remember. We remain unwavering in our goal to deliver you the best game we can, and that will take just an extra few weeks."

The game has been in development for a while now, with the first public teaser for the game appearing in May 2023.

MOUSE: P.I. For Hire is inspired by 1920s-era rubber hose animation, much like Cuphead, and applies that distinctive look to a noir detective adventure played from a first person perspective.

In a world of animals, you play as a private investigator mouse named Jack Pepper (voiced by Troy Baker). You set out on a typical missing person case, only for it to escalate into a much larger plot.

Interestingly, the game's combat is reminiscent of DOOM, in that it's fast-paced and encourages constant movement to survive. Obviously it's a very different vibe with its cartoonish weaponry.

Beyond the shooting, you'll explore the city of Mouseburg in pursuit of clues, and there's apparently some Metroidvania-inspired progression as you make your way through the story.

It's always looked very promising in trailers — the presentation does a lot of heavy lifting, of course — so hopefully it's worth the wait when it finally drops in April. Are you excited for this one? Tell us in the comments section below.