Haunted Paws release date is May 2027. LazyFlock is bringing its spooky two-puppy adventure to Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, Steam, PS4, PS5 and Xbox, with players working together to rescue their kidnapped human from a haunted mansion.
Nintendo announced the month during its 28 October Indie World showcase, while LazyFlock confirmed the wider platforms. You can already play a free demo on both Switch generations and Steam. The finished game mixes puzzle-solving, customisable puppies and a funny, slightly creepy mystery.
Haunted Paws release date: when does it launch?
If you’re looking for the exact Haunted Paws release date, May 2027 is as far as the announcement goes. Nintendo and LazyFlock have confirmed the month, but neither has announced which day it will launch.
LazyFlock develops and publishes Haunted Paws. Its release announcement added PC through Steam, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5 and Xbox to the two Nintendo consoles. The UK price for the full game is not established in the current official announcements.
Haunted Paws platforms: Switch, Switch 2, Steam, PlayStation and Xbox
The original Nintendo Switch is included, so you do not need to own a Switch 2 to play the finished game. Nintendo’s Switch 2 listing also confirms TV, tabletop and handheld modes, with the UK age rating set at PEGI 7.
The Haunted Paws release date announcement also names Steam, PS4, PS5 and Xbox. LazyFlock’s FAQ says it has no confirmed plans for cross-platform play, so don’t assume that owning the game on two different platforms means you can join each other online.
The free demo is already available for Steam, Switch and Switch 2, according to LazyFlock. You can try the puppy adventure now rather than waiting for May’s full launch.
What is Haunted Paws about?
The puppies’ missing human is called Maya. Their search for her leads into a haunted mansion full of strange characters, clues and environmental puzzles that need both dogs working together.
The adventure is meant to feel spooky without abandoning its playful side. Nintendo describes cartoonish monsters, minigames and moments that rely on cooperation. LazyFlock has shown other unsettling environments and enemies as the dogs follow clues further into the mystery.
Ahead of the Haunted Paws release date, LazyFlock has outlined four chapters for the complete adventure and estimates a playthrough at around four to six hours. The demo is only an early taste of that journey.
Barking, digging, sniffing and creating your puppy
You can choose a dog breed and customise its coat, patterns, colours and accessories. The October demo update introduced seven more breeds and nine new accessories. LazyFlock even added a kitten in a dog disguise, with an optional meow instead of a bark.
Your dog’s abilities are part of the investigation. Barking, sniffing and digging help the puppies interact with their surroundings, while puzzles demand attention from both players. The game also includes running, sneaking and avoiding threatening creatures.
The dogs have to sniff out clues and help each other past obstacles, but the adventure also includes confrontations with creatures. LazyFlock calls it spooky rather than terrifying and plans an arachnophobia mode. That’s useful context alongside the Haunted Paws release date if you’re choosing a game to play together.
Is Haunted Paws two-player only?
Haunted Paws is exclusively a two-player game: LazyFlock’s FAQ explicitly rules out single-player. Nintendo lists two people on one console or online. On Switch 2, local co-op works with one Joy-Con each, and local GameShare is another supported option.
Online co-op on Nintendo consoles requires an internet connection, a Nintendo Account and a paid Nintendo Switch Online membership. LazyFlock has also confirmed a Friend’s Pass, allowing one player to invite a friend without a second full-game purchase; platform-specific instructions still matter. Our Haunted Paws multiplayer guide explains the options.
How to play Haunted Paws before release
The Haunted Paws demo is free and can be found through Nintendo eShop. LazyFlock also lists a Steam demo for PC players. Nintendo’s Switch 2 page explicitly marks the demo available.
Open the store that matches your console, sign into the required account and search for Haunted Paws. Our demo download guide covers both Switch generations and the checks to make if the download isn’t showing.
With the Haunted Paws release date confirmed for May 2027, the demo gives players an early look at the atmosphere and cooperative mystery while LazyFlock finishes the full adventure.
Official developer source: LazyFlock’s Haunted Paws news and announcements.
