Kao's Cleaning Horror Game Shizuka na Osouji Launches on Switch July 23
A corporate product-placement game that became a viral streaming hit on PC is now expanding to a console audience with a family-friendly mode, demonstrating how brands can use game mechanics and influencer culture for marketing.
Key Facts
- Shizuka na Osouji releases on Nintendo Switch on July 23, 2026, priced at 200 yen (tax included).
- The Switch version adds gyro controls and a new Low Scare mode with a different story for players who dislike horror or for children.
- Kao will donate all sales revenue from the game to organizations supporting children's education.
- The free Steam version's availability period has been extended to the end of August 2027.
- Shizuka na Osouji won the Grand Prix at the YouTube Works Awards Japan 2026 and a Bronze Lion at Cannes Lions 2026.
Reporting from 4 sources: 4Gamer.net, GAME Watch (Impress), Automaton, Denfaminicogamer.
Kao Corporation's Home Care Division will release the Nintendo Switch version of its 3D exploration horror action and cleaning simulation game Shizuka na Osouji on July 23, 2026. The game is priced at 200 yen (tax included) on the Nintendo eShop. Originally released for free on Steam in August 2025, the Switch version adds gyro controls that let players tilt the controller to operate cleaning items for a more intuitive experience. It also includes a new Low Scare mode, which changes the story to a summer vacation visit to a grandmother's house and is designed for players who dislike horror or for children. The normal mode follows a protagonist cleaning a villa inherited from a deceased father while avoiding a lurking threat. Kao plans to donate all sales revenue from the game to organizations supporting children's education. To mark the Switch launch, the free availability period for the Steam version has been extended through the end of August 2027. The game uses actual Kao products such as Magiclean and Quickle Wiper as in-game items, and players learn cleaning techniques through gameplay. Shizuka na Osouji previously won the Grand Prix at the YouTube Works Awards Japan 2026 and a Bronze Lion at the Cannes Lions 2026.
The Switch version of Shizuka na Osouji arrives nearly a year after the Steam release, which generated over 3,200 related streams and achieved download numbers seven times the initial plan within 30 days. The game won the top award across all categories at the YouTube Works Awards Japan 2026 and a Bronze Lion in the Entertainment Lions for Gaming category at Cannes Lions 2026. In the normal mode, players clean a villa inherited from a deceased father, finding codes hidden under grime while evading a hostile presence that reacts to sound. The new Low Scare mode replaces that premise with a lighter story: a protagonist visits a grandmother's house during summer vacation and cleans it to surprise her before she returns. Both modes feature multi-endings based on cleaning progress and player actions. The game includes five real Kao products: Magiclean Handy Spray, Toilet Magiclean No-Scrub Refreshing Foam Pack, Bath Magiclean Air Jet Disinfection EX, Magiclean EXPOWER Water Stain Spray, and Quickle Wiper 3D Adhesive Wet Sheet Strong. The Steam version, originally free for a limited time, remains playable at no cost until the end of August 2027.
Synthesized by Yomimono from the 4 cited sources below, including Japanese-language reporting where cited, then editorially reviewed before publishing.
Sources
- 4Gamer.net 実際の商品をゲーム内で使って掃除をしていく「しずかなおそうじ」，Switch版を7月23日に発売。新たに「こわさひかえめモード」を収録
- GAME Watch (Impress) 花王のお掃除ゲーム「しずかなおそうじ」Switch版が7月23日発売。200円のお手頃価格
- Automaton 花王の清掃ホラー『しずかなおそうじ』Nintendo Switch版発表、7月23日配信へ。花王商品で怪しい屋敷をお掃除、「こわさひかえめモード」も新たに搭載
- Denfaminicogamer 「花王」が無料公開し話題となった“お掃除×ホラーゲーム”『しずかなおそうじ』Nintendo Switch版が7月23日発売。ジャイロ機能で直感的に掃除アイテムを操作できるほか、「こわさひかえめモード」を搭載