243. Bit.Trip Beat (Choice Provisions, WiiWare (PS4), 2009)

Bit.Trip Beat is the first game in the Bit.Trip series of retro-inspired rhythm games by Choice Provisions (originally known as Gaijin Games). I have only played the Bit.Trip Runner games, so I was interested to see where the series started. Bit.Trip Beat is obviously inspired by Pong, as you control a paddle on the left side of the screen, and have to reflect projectiles that come at you from the right side. While this is a simple setup, Bit.Trip Beat does its best to add some depth and variety to an old style of video game. 

First and foremost, this is a rhythm game, so the squares that are flying towards to come on the beat of the music. As with most rhythm games, Bit.Trip Beat tracks the notes that you hit and the notes you miss, and these contribute to your overall level, so if you perform well enough, your level will go up, and the screen will scroll upward to reflect that. Likewise, miss enough notes, and you will get bumped down a level.

What sets Bit.Trip Beat apart form most other rhythm games I've played is its structure. There are only 3 levels, though they are each fairly long, lasting around 10 minutes. Each level has a nice difficulty curve within itself, and the patterns and types of projectiles are all interesting and fun, I just find a 1-3 minute rhythm game level to be a lot more digestible. 

The length of the levels is exacerbated by the control scheme. The movement of the paddle is controlled by tilting the controller up and down. While this gives you the fine motor control necessary to position your paddle to hit the squares, it is also just not very comfortable, and I wonder if the original Wii controls were any better. Bit.Trip Beat was also released on the iPad, and I bet touch controls work really well in that version.

4/5, a precise, challenging rhythm game with really long levels