A brand-new indie game on Steam called Scratch the Cat has caught the attention of 3D platformer fans with its Crash Bandicoot and Spyro the Dragon vibes. There is no shortage of 3D platformers on Steam, with plenty of options for fans of the genre, including many that are completely free to play. Still, there is always a demand for a retro-style title that can capture the same “mascot platformer” feeling as genre staples like Crash Bandicoot and Spyro.
Scratch the Cat has been in development since 2023 and was initially revealed in 2025. It is being developed by FlatPonies, a small indie studio with two other titles to its name, Rebots and Akirobots. FlatPonies describes itself as “a playful indie studio creating humorous games” that are “appealing to both young players and nostalgic adults.” That description should give fans a good idea of the kind of 3D platformer game Scratch the Cat wants to be.
Scratch the Cat Has Spyro’s Clever Collect-A-Thon Soul
Check Out Scratch the Cat on Steam
Fans of the Spyro series have long praised how it rewards movement mastery and environmental awareness as a classic collect-a-thon game. Scratch the Cat appears to follow a similar philosophy, filling its world with a wide variety of collectibles, some of which require puzzle-solving or a combination of moves to reach.
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In terms of movement variety, Scratch the Cat also follows Spyro‘s approach, giving players the ability to run, jump, slide, climb, and swim. Based on what has been revealed so far, Scratch the Cat also features non-violent combat that may remind some players of the combo-focused encounters found in classic 3D platformers like the Spyro series.
Scratch the Cat Seems Inspired by Crash Bandicoot’s Level Design
While the classic Spyro games mostly stick to a behind-the-back camera, the original Crash Bandicoot games mixed things up by switching to 2D and reverse third-person perspectives. Scratch the Cat appears to take a similar approach to gameplay variety, with footage shown so far featuring platforming sections that shift between different camera angles.
Music Is Scratch the Cat’s Selling Point
While FlatPonies’ game clearly draws inspiration from genre staples, it also appears to bring a few fresh ideas to the table. Music and rhythm are the most notable examples. In Scratch the Cat, players explore a musical world where beats and pulses directly influence gameplay. As the developer explains, players will need to “master a platforming flow where drums, platforms, and obstacles pulse to the rhythm.” They will also need to “chain moves together to mix [their] own movement style.”
When Should Players Expect to See Scratch the Cat in Stores
Scratch the Cat has been in development for about three years, and developer FlatPonies plans to release a playable demo in 2026. As for the full release, the team is targeting Q1 2027, though that window does not appear to be set in stone and could change. Scratch the Cat is also said to feature more than 20 hours of gameplay and dozens of levels that can be revisited with new abilities, giving it the potential for plenty of replay value.
As for platforms, Scratch the Cat is currently planned for PC via Steam, Xbox Series X/S, and PlayStation 5. FlatPonies also appears to be aiming for releases on both the Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2.