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Let's Tap

If Donkey Kong lost his bongo drums, he'd invent Let's Tap. As it turned out, Yuji Naka and his team at Prope studios in Japan invented it first. And we're so very happy they did.

The title has one of the most unique control methods ever imagined - the placement of your Wii-mote face up on top of a provided cardboard box, while your fingers tap the surface of said cardboard box to control on-screen movement. Mix in a bunch of crazy mini-games, some insanely catchy music, plus enough Japanese neon graphics to make your eyes water, and you have the intensely engrossing craziness of Let's Tap.

The game's wide selection of games included encompasses several classic game styles. For example the race mini-game, performed by tapping your fingers in a regular rhythm to get your on-screen chappie jogging along at a steady pace, while double tapping allows you to jump. Various obstacles pop up, such as springs that send you flying, tightropes that you must creep along and not wobble over - but always it is a desperate run to the finish.

Steady now...

Meanwhile 'Rhythm Tap' is a very Donkey Konga style mini-game, where each player (up to four) can take part in drumming their fingers along to on-screen beats, which race along exactly like those in Konga used to, with different coloured beats for different actions. Soft taps, hard taps - even drum rolls!

There is also a Jenga style mini-game named Silent Blocks, where you have to tap out certain tiles in a tall pile to create combos of three, which turn into coins, which then themselves become bigger coins. There is also a shooting mini-game, Bubble Voyager, where your spinning ship-bound character can attack other players by tapping your box to release missiles.

Tap tap tap tap tap tap tap!

The title is a lot of fun to play, with the unique control style immediately accessible and very inviting - although it is clear the later levels of these mini-games will require some practice to master!

That said though, the controls really couldn't be more simple - even the menus are easily navigated by tapping the box. In a market flooded with crappy Wii mini-game compilations, it is refreshing to see a game so unique. Indeed, even without the wacky tapping, the mini-games included would still be a lot of fun. Great looking, great sounding (I came away with the main theme of the title firmly lodged in my head) - the addition of the tapping control scheme makes this game unmissable.

Be sure also to check out our Japanese Import Review of the game, right here, to see how we scored it. We'll be providing you with a complete European review too near the title's release.

Comments

Attiq Says:
May 21st, 2009 at 18:09 || Total Comments: 71

I agree this game is Fantastic Fun..... You should all own this game.... Oh and Rhythmn Heaven that is excellent as well. Seriously there are a lot of great games coming this year..... enough to seriously hamper your income....

Hellfire Says:
May 21st, 2009 at 18:35 || Total Comments: 994

The fact that the game doesn't come out at full price here, makes it much more worth it, it's really fun.

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