Review: Little Mouse’s Encyclopedia (Nintendo Switch)

Little Mouse’s Encyclopedia is a new edutainment release for the Nintendo Switch. There’s no gameplay, but it’s an interactive encyclopedia aimed at curious fact-seeking kids. That said, I can surely see the whole family enjoying this polished title.

Instead of just flipping through informative entries – an option via the index – you can engage in exploration. The titular mouse, who acts as your cursor, can find the various fauna and flora. The areas you wander aren’t large, but they are densely packed.

The controls are quickly grasped. One button triggers slight animations of the critter or plant, while the other brings up some fun facts about them. Touch screen control is also supported. The navigation is user-friendly, although I could see the youngest children missing some species. They may want mom and dad on hand to assist, along with helping at some of the reading – a real misfortune there’s no narration of any type. The game moves at a good pace, limited only by your ability to move the mouse. Loads are few and short.

I do think there was an opportunity missed to inject a bit of gameplay. How about adding checkmarks in the index after you find something new? This was the first thing that came to my mind. It could be like a scavenger hunt, a twist on the hidden object gameplay of Under Leaves. Something to aim for and collect.

 

Little Mouse Encyclopedia is an undeniably attractive product. While it’s easy to compare its style to Circus Atos’s impressive Under Leaves, there seems to be more colorful variety here. The vibrant illustrations pop. I love the little touch of the mouse donning goggles and flippers when exploring the pond! The visuals are accompanied by nicely relaxing music, but probably a bit too subtle. The sound of nature often occurs in relative silence; this would surely be less noticeable if some aforementioned narration were included. But what is here is lovely.

Little Mouse’s Encyclopedia is the type of title I would’ve loved exploring as a kid in school. As a grown man, I still appreciate the concept and how it was brought to screen in an aesthetically pleasing way. It succeeds with its aim in charming fashion. While gameplay and narration are missed, this is a very good release for what it is. If you’re a family, this would definitely be one to grab on sale if you’re looking to relax and learn at the same time.

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