Bit.Trip Beat

Genre: Arcade / Music-Rhythm

Players: 1

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Review:

(Note: This game is included in Bit.Trip Collection, along with Bit.Trip Core, Bit.Trip Fate, Bit.Trip Flux, Bit.Trip Runner, and Bit.Trip Void.)

Bit.Trip Beat is an Arcade-style game with Music-Rhythm elements originally released on the Wii’s WiiWare service in 2009, gradually making its way to other platforms, and eventually finding its way onto Nintendo Switch in 2020. This game is the first release in the Bit.Trip series, and has gameplay vaguely reminiscent of Pong, but with a Music-Rhythm element to it, and with mechanics that make heavy use of motion-control.

The presentation here is simple, but appealing, making use of low-res 2D pixel art visuals for the most part, really evoking the feeling of classic Pong, though this game infuses that classic look with a good deal more color, as well as a few 3D effects sprinkled in here and there. This is backed by a catchy chiptune soundtrack. Overall, it’s a presentation that works well for the game.

The gameplay here is very simple – you have a Pong-like paddle, and dots are coming from the right side of the screen – catch as many of those dots with your paddle as you can. However, this simple gameplay is complicated by a few elements. First, the dots move in different patterns – some come straight at you, some move at an angle or travel in a wave pattern, and some even bounce and return. There’s a bit of trial and error here in figuring out just how to anticipate their movement, and the variety definitely keeps things from becoming too monotonous, even though you’re only moving up and down.

However, the other element that complicates things is likely to be more divisive – motion control. Rather than moving the paddle using the analog stick, players tilt their controller to change its height. This takes a lot of getting used to, and it’s hard to get the sort of precision you need to catch the dots a lot of the time. What’s really disappointing is that this control persists in handheld mode, where it works well enough (possibly even better) but where touchscreen control seems like it would have been preferable.

One other small disappointment deserves mention – this version of the game seems to lack the multiplayer mode that was present in earlier versions.

Because of how difficult Bit.Trip Beat is to control, it’s not going to be for everyone. It definitely has some appeal, and the musical elements of its presentation and gameplay are really nice, but the forced motion control definitely limits the game. If you’re looking for a fun Arcade-style game and don’t mind playing around with motion-controls, you may want to give this game a try, but you’re just as likely to be frustrated by it as you are to be delighted.

tl;dr – Bit.Trip Beat is an Arcade-style game that combines elements of Pong, Music-Rhythm games, and motion control. It’s this last element that will make this a game that not everyone will enjoy, as these controls take some getting used to. However, if you can get used to these controls, you may find elements to this game that make it worthwhile.

Grade: C+

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