- Green Flamingo’s debut album, blending 1930s cartoon visuals with an electro-swing soundtrack
- 100% Positive Reviews on Steam Demo, Favorable Reviews from Major Media Outlets including TheXboxHub, Nintendo Everything, and GameView
Green Flamingo, an indie studio in Bologna, Italy, announced the official release of the rhythm action 3D platformer ‘Spanky “Bat-a-Swing”‘ and unveiled a PC (Steam) demo version.
The game is also scheduled to be released on Nintendo Switch and Xbox, although the exact release date is yet to be determined. The Steam demo currently boasts a 100% positive rating. A Kickstarter campaign is also planned for later this year, and following the campaign will allow you to receive a digital comic for free.
A city ruled by rhythm, the rebellion of the bat ‘Spanky’
Metronopolis, the setting of the game, is a city where everything moves to the beat of music. Under the rule of Mayor Metronome, citizens live lives subservient to rhythm. However, Spanky, a hot-tempered bat with an inventive nature, rebels against this musical madness and modifies his massive ears into speakers to use the city’s rhythm itself as a weapon.
Spanky accelerates using the bass, leaps to the snare beat, and glides on the sound of the horn. He also showcases diverse gameplay that combines rhythm and action, such as using bat sonar to detect hidden elements. While you can move freely without following the rhythm, perfectly utilizing the beat yields higher scores and rewards.
Bass is a booster, snare is a foot pedal, rhythm-centered design
Spanky Bat-As-Swing utilizes rhythm not merely as background music, but as a core system of the game world. Enemies, platforms, and even traps all move and attack in time with the music’s beat. Players are required to engage in strategic gameplay by identifying the rhythm patterns of each area and exploiting them to their advantage.
The game consists of three main zones. In the ghost-filled graveyard ‘Morguton,’ the DJ spider ‘DJ Cobweb’ appears as the boss, while in the tropical jungle ‘Blue Vines,’ the giant monkey ‘Maestro Bonobotti’ stands in opposition as an opera star.
Finally, the final showdown with the cunning secretary Olivia takes place in the high-tech city of Nova Nubla. Each boss battle proceeds in a multi-stage structure, and the music track changes depending on the combat.
Moving hand-animated visuals with the vibe of 1930s picture books
The visuals are characterized by a combination of a hand-drawn style inspired by 1930s animation and a colorful 3D environment. Some international media outlets described it as a “style that adds a sense of depth to classic cartoon sensibilities,” highlighting the unique atmosphere that combines rhythm games, action platformers, and jazz cartoons.
Sound is also a key element. A dynamic, electro-swing-based original soundtrack drives the entire game, with a unique musical theme applied to each zone. Additional music can also be enjoyed through vinyl records collected during gameplay.
Acclaimed since the demo… Bologna indie studio’s first commercial project
The released demo is garnering attention with a 100% positive rating from users. Overseas media outlets expressed anticipation, calling it “a work with the potential to present a new direction for the rhythm action genre,” while domestically, it is receiving praise as “a fresh approach that goes beyond simple beat matching.”
Green Flamingo is an indie game studio founded in Bologna, Italy in 2019, a development team that aims to create works combining distinctive visuals and experimental gameplay.
Aiming for “fresh fun” based on creative ideas, the studio is taking on its first commercial project with its debut title, Spanky Bat-As-Swing, which combines rhythm, action, and a cartoon style. Currently under development for both PC and consoles, the title is garnering attention as a flagship showcase demonstrating the studio’s direction and potential.
Currently, a demo version of Spanky Bat-As-Swing is available on Steam, and you can check for additional content by adding it to your wishlist and through an upcoming Kickstarter campaign. The official release date will be announced later.
Information regarding ‘Spanky “Bat-a-Swing’
| item | detail |
|---|---|
| Developer | Green Flamingo (Bologna, Italy, established in 2019) |
| Publisher | Power Up Publishing (Bologna, Italy) |
| Genre | Rhythm Action 3D Platformer / Beat ‘E Up / Collector’s Sun |
| Release platform | PC (Steam) / Nintendo Switch / Xbox (PS version not supported) |
| Official release date | Undetermined (Scheduled for 2026) |
| Current status | Steam Demo Available (100% Positive Reviews) |
| Kickstarter | Scheduled to launch this year (Free digital comics provided upon follow) |
| Major areas | Morguton / Blue Vines / Nova Nubla |
| Main boss | DJ Coveweb / Maestro Bonobotti / Olivia / Metronome |
| Source of inspiration | Cuphead, 1930s cartoon, electro swing jazz |
| Main Keywords | Electro Swing, 1930s, Hand Animation, Rhythm Platformer, Bats, Cartoon, Boss Battle |
| Steam Demo Page | Shortcut |
| Steam Main Page | Add to Wishlist |
