Scratch the Cat blends Crash and Spyro in a new Steam platformer

3D mascot platformers have been in a quieter phase on Steam, but a new indie release is aiming to bring back that classic collect-and-explore energy. Scratch the Cat—currently in development—looks set to combine Spyro-style mastery and collectibles with Crash-inspired camera variety, plus a rhythm system that directly shapes movement.

A new mascot platformer built for collectors and movement fans

Scratch the Cat has drawn attention from 3D platformer players thanks to its clear inspiration from the genre’s biggest icons. The game is positioned as a retro-feeling “mascot platformer,” a style that many fans still actively look for even while Steam offers plenty of 3D options, including free-to-play titles.

From what’s been shown so far, Scratch the Cat leans into a collect-a-thon loop. Drawing from the appeal long associated with Spyro, it aims to reward players who pay attention to both movement and their surroundings. The world is filled with collectibles, and reaching some of them appears to involve puzzle-solving or combining multiple kinds of movement.

Movement options also mirror the classic 3D platformer toolbox. Players can run, jump, slide, climb, and swim. The game is also described as featuring non-violent combat, with encounters that may feel familiar to players who like the combo-focused action found in older 3D platformers.

Crash-style camera changes and Spyro-like flow

Spyro’s classic camera approach is often remembered for staying behind the character, while the Crash Bandicoot originals are known for mixing things up with shifts between 2D and reverse third-person perspectives. Scratch the Cat appears to take a similar cue: footage released so far suggests platforming segments that change camera angles rather than relying on one fixed viewpoint.

That camera variation matters in a platformer like this, because it can change how players read jumps, slides, and spatial challenges. Combined with the game’s broader movement set, the design suggests an emphasis on learning a “flow” rather than simply executing isolated tricks.

Rhythm-driven gameplay is the headline feature

While the Crash-and-Spyro comparisons explain the game’s overall platforming identity, Scratch the Cat’s most distinctive hook is its music. FlatPonies’ game reportedly builds a musical world where beats and pulses affect gameplay.

According to the developer’s description, players will need to master a platforming flow where drums, platforms, and obstacles pulse to the rhythm. Beyond timing, the game also asks players to chain moves together to develop their own movement style—turning the rhythm system into more than background atmosphere.

Development timeline and where players can try it

Scratch the Cat has been in development since 2023 and was initially revealed in 2025. The project is being developed by FlatPonies, an indie studio with two other titles to its name: Rebots and Akirobots.

FlatPonies plans to release a playable demo in 2026. For the full release, the team is targeting Q1 2027, though the window may still shift. The game is also said to offer more than 20 hours of gameplay and dozens of levels designed to be revisited with new abilities, suggesting replay value beyond a single playthrough.

Platform-wise, Scratch the Cat is planned for PC via Steam, Xbox Series X/S, and PlayStation 5. FlatPonies is also aiming to bring it to Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2.

Key points

• Scratch the Cat is a new indie 3D platformer targeting the classic mascot-platformer feel.
• It combines Spyro-like collect-a-thon design with varied movement and non-violent combat.
• Camera angle changes during platforming appear to take inspiration from Crash’s perspective shifts.
• Music and rhythm directly influence gameplay, with beats and pulses affecting platforms and obstacles.

Confirmed release and platform targets

Expert View

Scratch the Cat signals that the mascot-platformer niche is still commercially and creatively viable—especially when modern indie design adds a clear differentiator. The rhythm-first approach could also broaden its audience beyond traditional platforming fans, since timing and musical feedback create a distinct skill ceiling. If the demo lands in 2026 as planned, it may become a benchmark title for how rhythm mechanics can be integrated into classic 3D collect-a-thon structure, potentially nudging more developers to revisit the genre’s “learn the flow” philosophy.