Mouse Work: The First Must-Have Indie Game for Nintendo Switch 2?
When Nintendo announced the Switch 2, most of the buzz surrounded its improved specs and the surprise addition of the Joy-Con 2 controllers, which can function like real computer mice.
But while big studios are still gearing up for the new tech, one indie developer is already ahead of the game — and in classic chaotic fashion.
Enter Mouse Work, a vibrant co-op party game from Nitrome, the studio behind Shovel Knight Dig and other pixel-art gems.
It’s shaping up to be the first indie title that fully embraces the new mouse-like Joy-Con functionality, and it’s turning heads for all the right reasons.
A Game Built for Joy-Con 2’s Wild Side
At its core, Mouse Work is a party game — think Overcooked meets WarioWare, but your controller is a cursor, and you’re a mouse (literally).
Up to four players compete or cooperate through bite-sized challenges that test reflexes, communication, and — of course — pointer precision.
And here's the fun part: Instead of just using the analog sticks or buttons, you move the Joy-Con around like a computer mouse right on your table, couch or even your blanket.
It feels a bit silly but honestly, it's pretty satisfying.
Early hands-on reports say the tracking is shockingly accurate, thanks to new sensors in the Joy-Con 2.
Nitrome has cleverly built each mini-game to showcase different types of motion — dragging objects, clicking icons, spinning wheels — making the game feel like a playground for Nintendo’s new tech.
Whimsical Chaos, Classic Nitrome
Visually, Mouse Work sticks to Nitrome’s signature charm — bright colors, chunky pixel art, and expressive animations.
The game doesn’t take itself seriously, which makes it perfect for family game nights, casual parties, or just a quick laugh with friends.
There’s no online multiplayer (at least not yet), but in-person play is the point. It’s the kind of game that brings people into the same room, laughing and yelling over who’s sabotaging who — something gaming has been slowly losing in the age of online lobbies.
Why It Matters
What makes Mouse Work worth paying attention to isn’t just its quirky gameplay — it’s how quickly it’s adapting to the Switch 2’s capabilities.
While larger studios cautiously test the waters, Nitrome is already building around the unique input method, showing us what the future of Joy-Con 2 games could look like.
In a way, Mouse Work is doing what Nintendo often does best: turning simple tech into something playful, communal, and a little absurd.
And it’s an indie studio doing it first.
When Can You Play?
Mouse Work is expected to launch shortly after the Switch 2’s release in June 2025, though no specific date has been locked in.
If the early buzz is any indicator, it might just be one of the sleeper hits of the year — especially for those craving something weird, new, and endlessly fun.
If you’re looking for something that shows off what the Switch 2’s Joy-Con 2 can actually do, without taking itself too seriously, keep your eye on Mouse Work.
It’s charming, chaotic, and confident — everything you want from a couch co-op indie on a brand-new console.