Play Mikeneko Holmes no Kishidou (Japan) Online

Mikeneko Holmes no Kishidou came out on the Game Boy in 1991, developed by Compile. It was part of that wave of quirky, experimental titles that filled out the handheld's library, games that didn't always get much attention outside Japan but offered something genuinely different if you went looking for them.

You control Holmes, a cat detective, moving screen by screen through a compact town to gather clues and question a cast of animal characters. Your main goal is to solve a series of small mysteries by finding key items, presenting evidence to the right characters, and carefully observing your surroundings for hints. The game relies on exploration and dialogue more than action; you'll spend time talking to everyone, checking every corner, and making sure you have the correct clue before you accuse someone. It moves at a deliberate, thoughtful pace, and the language barrier can add a layer of challenge for non-Japanese players. It feels like quietly putting together a puzzle, one careful observation at a time.