Let’s Tap (Hands-On) (Wii) Preview

By Mike Mason 19.05.2009

Review for Let’s Tap (Hands-On) on Wii

I've been mentioning it at every SEGA event this year I've attended, but it was at the Virtua Tennis event that my pestering/begging/praying finally paid off. To my delight, at the end of the session, what should appear but Yuji Naka and Prope's debut Wii title Let's Tap. AKA, the game with the most addictive theme tune ever.

Out came some orange tap boxes (Europe will get better ones with more pretty things spiraling over them, apparently), upon which remotes were placed, face down, and the tapping began. Of the five games included in the package I played two and watched two; sorry Visualiser fans, but that didn't get a look in this time. First up was the most famous and oft-showed off Tap Runner. You must've seen the videos - you take control of a little man in a wire frame world and race against up to three others. To run, place the tips of your fingers down on the edge of the box in front of the Wii remote and tap lightly with alternate hands. To jump, gently beat with both hands simultaneously (a double tap), which you'll need to master to deal with hurdles as you go. You'll also be diving off structures and tight rope walking with slow, firm, cautious taps to prevent humiliating falls. Tap Runner demonstrates how sensitive the Wii Remote really is; it distinguishes between taps with hardly any issue. Any control problems were quite literally in the player's hand; often there'd be an unwanted jump, but this was because of heavy handed taps and will likely be smoothed out with practice and experience.

The other game I had a go at was Rhythm Tap. The best way to describe this would be 'like Donkey Konga without the bongos'. It's got an identical interface, only with more psychedelia, less monkeys, and no banana-birds. Circles will scroll to the left and as they pass over a symbol at the far end of the screen the player must perform the appropriate move. Blue circles are light taps, green mid-range taps, a reddish orange a harder smack, and squiggly lines are frantic drum rolls. I'm not sure if you're supposed to use both hands in tandem at all times or alternate your weaker hand, preferred hand and both hands for the corresponding notes, but it didn't seem to matter much as everything was picked up with harder taps. It's very easy to get completely swept away and use both hands for every note (which probably defeats the object a bit, but oh well), and it's insanely fun.

Screenshot for Let’s Tap (Hands-On) on Wii

Donkey Konga is still a game that gets pulled out every so often in my household, and it's fantastic to see that concept make a return - though it also makes me wonder why Nintendo haven't brought the series back yet. I found myself 'tapping' on the box with more force than strictly necessary, such was my enjoyment, but they're sturdy enough to take it. Seriously - playing along to that theme tune with the power of your hands on a cardboard box alone (yes, I'm aware of how silly that sounds) is one of my gaming moments of the year so far. Look forward to it, even more so if you're as much of a fan of Donkey Konga, or music games in general, as I am.

It wouldn't be fair for me to pass judgment on the other games, so I won't. You can have summaries, though. Bubble Voyager seemed to be a sort of horizontal shooter in which you tap to stay afloat and shoot by hitting with both hands, while Silent Blocks looked like a terribly confusing Jenga-a-like experience. Bubble Voyager definitely looked like the more interested of the two, but due to time constraints I didn't get the chance to play either.

Screenshot for Let’s Tap (Hands-On) on Wii

Final Thoughts

Even though I only played a couple of the games, Let's Tap has massive potential as a multiplayer game for both families and - possibly - even open-minded post-pub crowds. Being split into five different sections doesn't mean there's not much game there, either; I spied around twenty Tap Runner levels and twenty to thirty Rhythm Tap songs, which I would guess are the originals, or translated versions of them. The control method works excellently, and I cannot wait to give it another play. Until that time comes, I'm going to listen to the theme tune on repeat in twenty minute blocks until my ears fall off with joy.

Developer

Prope

Publisher

SEGA

Genre

Rhythm

Players

4

C3 Score

Rated $score out of 10  8/10

Reader Score

Rated $score out of 10  0 (0 Votes)

European release date Out now   North America release date Out now   Japan release date Out now   Australian release date Out now   

Comments

This is easily one of my most anticipated games this year as the concept is brilliant - just like Donkey Konga, as you said. The music's pretty funky as well, from what I've heard in the numerous trailers out there.

Cheers Mike - more people need to get hyped about this, definitely! Smilie

Adam Riley [ Director :: Cubed3 ]

UNITE714: Weekly Prayers | Bible Verses

Well Im not that eager for it but the game, considering what genre it is, oozes credibility and integrity. Looks a cut above something like Sonic and the crappy olympics. Wish it success. If I was pining for a mini game compilation this would be top of the list.

Can't wait to get my hands on this, top stuff Mike Smilie

Trying to think of a witty signature after 'Hacker-gate'...
Guest 19.05.2009#4

If I had a Wii, yeah definitely.

Mistake there actually - the anticipation rating was meant to be a 4, altered now. It is looking fantastic though, think it\'s the kind of game that might do well through word of mouth.

( Edited 19.05.2009 18:16 by Mason )

This and anything Boom Blox related will keep me happy for years.

Agreed. Boom Blox is a class game, even if the storyline is a bit...odd Smilie

Trying to think of a witty signature after 'Hacker-gate'...

I actually got the chance to have a quick go on this last night - Tap Runner is great fun. Gently tapping away to get a decent pace going and then slamming harder to jump over the hurdles is great.

Can\'t wait to play more Smilie

EDIT: Okay, played the Donkey Konga-esque Rhythm Tap earlier and love it. It\'s actually a bit more like Taiko no Tatsujin, to be honest, rather than DK, but they\'re all pretty similar. I know what you mean Mike, there definitely doesn\'t appear to be any real difference between tapping softly or full on whacking for hitting the small circles.

Talking of Donkey Kong...NPC! DK: Jungle Beat turned up today, huzzah Smilie Keeping me nice and busy!

( Edited 23.05.2009 20:32 by jesusraz )

Adam Riley [ Director :: Cubed3 ]

UNITE714: Weekly Prayers | Bible Verses

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