A wager on the mouse controls of the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 sparks a development of the mini-game collection, Mouse Work.
A shiny new feature graced the Switch 2, sending ripples of surprise through the gaming community. This bad boy? None other than mouse controls, baby! Now, we ain't just talking about PCs here, my friend. This London-based indie developer Nitrome decided to take a wild gamble on this feature for their upcoming Switch 2 party game, aptly named Mouse Work.
By the way, this mouse-based game made a slick entrance onto the scene just a few months back, hot on the heels of the Switch 2 reveal in January. Though the trailer was light on details, Mat Annal, Nitrome's co-founder and director, saw the Joy-Cons gliding on a surface and took that as a sign of things to come. He reckons that the mouse functionality would work on both Joy-Cons, cementing the potential for multiplayer action.
"I think Nintendo's quite cautious to not say something is true that is true, and they wouldn't have done that if it wasn't on both controllers," he reasons. "Also I think that the optical sensor is quite a cheap component, so I don't think it's a particularly expensive component that they're adding, especially if you consider that they're actually taking the infra-red camera off the right controller [of the Switch 1]."
While Nintendo is cooking up some first-party titles for the Switch 2's launch, like Nintendo Switch 2 Tour Guide and Drag x Drive, Mouse Work could be the standout title with its charming pixel art, vibes reminiscent of Part-Time UFO, and those iconic mice you control.
For those who are curious, Mat explains that the simple design of the mouse characters was intentional. Originally, they went for a more intricate design, but as ideas for games started flowing, the mice came to resemble a cursor, which they thought boosted the game's appeal.
Considering all this, the development process has been such a breeze, sparking concept after concept for games that scale up for 4 players, thanks to Nitrome's background as a Flash developer. They've used the mouse as a tool before, allowing them to play around with silly little games that might seep into Mouse Work.
So, Mouse Work has been whipped up on PC without an actual Switch 2 dev kit, but Mat hopes the announcement trailer will catch Nintendo's eye, allowing for a launch window release. But even if the dev kit isn't in their grasp until after the console's launch, they're still upbeat about standing out in the sea of eager developers rushing to get their games on the platform.
If they do manage to get a piece of that delicious pie, the game might just inspire other devs to play around with the Switch 2's mouse controls to create some unique, exclusive experiences! For updates on the Switch 2, don't forget to sign up for our newsletter and check out our guide to the best Nintendo Switch 2 launch games for a sneak peek at what's to come.
- The London-based indie developer Nitrome incorporated mouse controls into their upcoming Switch 2 party game, Mouse Work, venturing beyond the realm of traditional gaming devices.
- In the laid-out game, Mouse Work, players will control mice that resemble computer cursors, adding a touch of creativity and familiarity to the design.
- The developers of Mouse Work confidently assert that the mouse functionality will work on both Joy-Cons, presenting multiplayer possibilities in their 4-player games.
- The mouse-based game Mouse Work, with its pixel art reminiscent of Part-Time UFO and charming characters, may emerge as the standout title at the Switch 2's launch.
- Development on Mouse Work has been a smooth process, thanks to Nitrome's background as a Flash developer, allowing them to experiment with various game concepts using the mouse as a tool.
- With Mouse Work's innovative use of the Switch 2's mouse controls, other developers might be inspired to create unique, exclusive experiences that leverage the latest gadgets, from smartphones to 3D gadgets, and the advancements in technology.
