Play Die Maus Online

I picked up Die Maus on Game Boy Color back when it first released in 2000. It was published by Infogrames, a name you'd see on a lot of European-developed titles for the handheld. This was during that period when the Game Boy Color library was full of bright, simple platformers aimed at younger players, and Die Maus fit right into that scene without trying to reinvent the wheel.

You control a small, blue mouse navigating a series of multi-screen levels. Your goal is straightforward: get from the start to the exit, which usually involves a lot of climbing, jumping across platforms, and avoiding enemies like snails and bees. The game's signature mechanics are its collectible cheese wedges scattered in tricky spots and the ability to temporarily stun foes by dropping apples on them from above. The pacing is methodical; you often have to stop and plan your route to avoid falling into pits or getting hit, as the mouse has very limited health. It's a game that feels cautious and deliberate, where a single mistimed jump can send you back to the beginning of the stage.