Mouse: P.I. for Hire has been delayed to April 16. Here is why the game was pushed back and why it remains one of the most anticipated releases.
Mouse: P.I. for Hire Misses March Release but Builds Momentum Ahead of April Launch
Developers Promise Polished Shooter Experience
Mouse: P.I. for Hire has been delayed from March 19 to April 16. The developers at Fumi Games assured players that the extra time is necessary to make the final product an "experience to remember.".
According to Mouse: P.I. for Hire’s social media post, the project is now nearing its final stages of development, though several loose ends still need more work. Fumi Games will use these extra weeks to polish lingering bugs and address expected performance issues before they hit storefronts this spring.
A Second Delay for Mouse: P.I. for Hire
This is not the first time Mouse: P.I. for Hire has been delayed. Back in October 2025, Fumi Games posted on X (formerly Twitter) that it would not launch for its intended 2025 Fall release window. The dev team did not provide any reason for its initial delay, but fans assumed this was just another case of needing more polish.
Fast forward to 2026 and the game still met another delay. While it has only been pushed back for a month, this looks to be the final postponement for the highly anticipated shooter, considering it is now in its final stages of development.
A Visually Distinct First Person Shooter
Announced in August 2024, Mouse: P.I. for Hire quickly drew attention for its visually distinct aesthetic, which echoes the classic rubber hose animation style popularized by 1920s cartoons like Mickey Mouse and Popeye.
The game places players in the role of Jack Pepper, a former war hero turned private investigator who navigates the criminal underbelly of the aptly named town of Mouseberg. Players can expect frequent shootouts, wielding a variety of weapons, including pistols, shotguns, bats, and other cartoon-inspired gadgets.
Often described by fans as "Cuphead meets Doom," the game blends rubber hose animation with a striking black-and-white noir art style and classic boomer shooter mechanics. While gameplay footage has been limited since its initial announcement, early previews from other gaming outlets have already surfaced, offering a clearer look at its first-person shooter mechanics.
The second mission from the campaign was recently made available online, showcasing the game’s mix of exploration and first-person shooter gameplay. An exclusive boss fight clip was also revealed, highlighting more of its animation work. The development team has promised to share additional gameplay snippets as the title moves closer to its launch window.
Source:
Mouse: P.I.: P.I. for Hire 12 Minutes of Exclusive Gameplay from IGN
Mouse: P.I.: P.I. for Hire Official Delay Announcement
