A robot drummer and a raccoon duo’s art gallery heist… Speed-running action with rope action.
Belfast-based independent developer SLAP-BANG! Digital will release the first public demo of its speedrunning beat ’em up heist game Smash ‘N Grab for free on Steam from Friday, March 13th to Wednesday, March 19th.
This demo launch is taking place in conjunction with the ‘Games from Ireland’ Steam Sale event, hosted by Irish game developers collective Imirt.
The Robot Drummer and Raccoon Combo’s Art Gallery Robbery
Smash & Grab is a game about two protagonists: Smash, a giant robot drummer, and Grab, a clever raccoon accomplice, who are tied together by ropes as they roam a retrofuturistic world, pulling off heists.
The demo consists of a single level set in an art gallery. Players must escape as quickly as possible while achieving a high score. The core objective is to discover new routes and strategies through repeated playthroughs, and achieve the highest possible S rank.
The depth of tactics created by a single rope
Smash & Grab’s most unique mechanic is the tether system, which physically connects two characters. Controlled by moving the left stick for a smash and the right stick for a grab, the two characters’ movements are always synchronized, making teamwork a key variable in combat and movement.
Grabs can be used to pull enemies, snatch valuables, or perform acrobatic maneuvers like swinging on a rope. Furthermore, most environmental elements, including walls, boxes, and props, can be destroyed, allowing for strategic use to find hidden items or create shortcuts. Destruction is not just a concept; it’s a tactical tool.
What’s interesting is that destroying exhibits can actually be a strategy that boosts your score. Ironically, completely destroying the museum’s exhibits can be the most effective strategy.
Visuals inspired by Saturday morning cartoons
The development team has stated that Smash & Grab’s visuals were directly influenced by three elements: the work of Saul Bass, often called the father of modern graphic design; the silhouette-centric animation aesthetic of Cartoon Network’s 2001 series Samurai Jack; and the art deco noir style of Batman: The Animated Series.
“‘Smash & Grab’ is an homage to the Saturday morning cartoons and high-score games we all grew up watching,” said Mark Skelton, director of developer SLAP-BANG! Digital.
With its unique graphics, Smash & Grab was designed from the outset with speedrunning as a core element of enjoyment. The fun lies not just in clearing the game quickly, but in the process of discovering optimal movement paths and strategies through repeated playthroughs.
The game also features a global leaderboard, allowing players to compete against players from around the world. To achieve the highest rank, S, players must consider not only movement speed but also destruction strategies, route optimization, and scoring.
The first game from the Belfast, Northern Ireland developer founded in 2024
SLAP-BANG! Digital is an indie game studio founded by Mark Skelton in 2024 in Belfast, Northern Ireland. The studio’s philosophy is to “provide compelling visuals that are easy to learn but difficult to master.” Smash & Grab is the studio’s first title and a testament to this development philosophy.
This demo launch is in conjunction with the “Games from Ireland” Steam Sale, hosted by Imirt, the Irish Game Developers Association. Games from Ireland is a St. Patrick’s Day Steam event celebrating games made in Ireland, by Irish developers, and featuring Irish creative talent. Running from March 13th to 20th, Games from Ireland is a celebration of games made in Ireland, by Irish developers, and featuring Irish creative talent.
The Smash & Grab public demo will be available for free on Steam from Friday, March 13th to Wednesday, March 19th. The official release date and price have not yet been announced.
Smash and Grab Related Information
| item | detail |
|---|---|
| Developer/Publisher | SLAP-BANG! Digital (Belfast, Northern Ireland, founded in 2024) |
| Director | Mark Skelton |
| Genre | Speedrun Beat ’em up / Action |
| Release Platform | PC (Steam) |
| Official release date | TBD |
| Demo period | March 13 (Fri) – 19 (Wed), 2026 |
| Visual style | Inspired by Saul Bass, Samurai Jack, and Batman: The Animated Series |
| Core Mechanics | Rope Link Duo Control / Destruction-Based Tactics / Global Leaderboards |
| Related events | Games from Ireland (hosted by Imirt) |
| Steam page | store.steampowered.com/app/3851460 |
