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Purchase Let's Tap at Best Buy and get an exclusive peripheral
In Japan, Let's Tap comes in a large cardboard box containing two smaller cardboard boxes for use as tapping surfaces. In Europe, Sega is releasing a similar set as a "limited edition." In North America, the game comes with no boxes except the standard white plastic Wii game case. You're forced to find your own cardboard box.Giant Bomb discovered that, if you buy the game at Best Buy, you get an exclusive "tapping pad" inside, which, as it reveals in its unboxing video, is basically a thick sheet of paperboard -- or, if you prefer, one-sixth of a box. We've embedded the video after the break, so you can see their impressions of this small card.%Gallery-33707%[Via GameSetWatch]
Let's catch some new footage and screens from Let's Catch
Before we even start this post, let's try to explain the elaborate premise of Yuji Naka's WiiWare title, Let's Catch. Okay, so, in Let's Catch, the object of the game is to both throw and catch things. In essence, it is a virtual game of catch. Wait, that's not elaborate at all. Never mind then.With that out of the way, we suggest you check out the Let's Catch trailer above and peruse the screens below.%Gallery-66132%
Let's Tap very carefully around these Silent Blocks
The latest weekly installment of Sega's Let's Tap trailer series, visible after the break, highlights the "Silent Blocks" mode, which basically forces us to unlearn one of the most basic tenets of Jenga: stop hitting the table, you jerk. Normally, jostling the play surface would bring about a quick and rage-filled end to any "stack of blocks" game, but in Let's Tap it's how you play.In the insane world of Let's Tap (a world where you play video games by not touching controllers), you'd be a jerk for refusing to tap on the table.%Gallery-33707%
Let's watch the Let's Tap 'Rhythm Tap' mode
We're getting dangerously close to the mid-June release of Let's Tap and ... wait, did we say "dangerously?" We obviously meant "thankfully," because how can a game that only requires minor movement of the hands be dangerous? Now that we think about it, there is the possibility of receiving an offhand smack, should your opponents in the Rhythm Tap mode -- seen in this latest video -- wish to throw you off your game.Surely though, with visuals this tranquil and the constant tap-tap-tapping of fingers on cardboard oh crap it's driving us mad already. On second thought, we are dangerously close to the game's release.
Let's Tap to the finish line
With this trailer, Sega has managed to pull our attention away from the "Rhythm Tap" mode in Let's Tap just long enough to notice one of the other games. The "Tap Runner" mode here is unusual, and not just because you play it by slapping a flat surface. There really aren't that many side-scrolling platformer racing games these days, outside of this, Sonic Rivals and -- kind of -- Metro-Cross. And Metro-Cross is hardly from "these days."Let's Tap's multiplayer racing looks like it could be enjoyable even if played by holding stuff. Like everything else in this game, the appeal is merely magnified by the novelty of being able to play without any stuff to hold. %Gallery-33707%
Let's Tap along to a new trailer
We're quite excited that Let's Tap, Prope's "future tapping game," is in our immediate future (the next couple of months). Sega released a new trailer for the box-bopping game that presents Let's Tap as a family party game, much like a previous Japanese trailer did. This one adds visual "tap" effects that we wish could be real!Let's Tap is a natural for "casual" players, since you don't even have to convince them to touch a controller. But its forward-thinking design and outstanding, unique aesthetic (not to mention the music) make it a lot more interesting to people like us than the average waggle minigame-fest. We approve, Sega, of marketing Let's Tap to the general audience. We also approve of the music in this trailer, even if it isn't the familiar theme.%Gallery-33707%
Sega to give away beautiful Let's Tap artwork from Yuji Naka
Today, both Sega of America and Sega of Europe posted amazing Let's Tap artwork they received from Prope's Yuji Naka. Each branch received five pictures of the Tap Runner avatars, apparently hand-drawn by Naka. He even drew the logo on each one! The US office also got copies of the Let's Tap soundtrack and Tap Runner figurines. Neither office has decided how it will give away the amazing swag yet, but we will let you know when they do. Right after we enter. In other Let's Tap news, the European release, like the Japanese release, will include two big boxes -- as a "Limited Edition." We've contacted Sega of America about the stateside packaging. We need boxes!%Gallery-33707%
ESRB rating hints at North American release of Let's Catch
While North America is still waiting for its first chance to lay fingers upon Yuji Naka's idiosyncratic brainchild, Let's Tap, a recent ESRB rating is hinting at the American release of Prope's second "Let's" project -- a WiiWare title by the name of Let's Catch. We'll give you one guess as to what the core gameplay mechanic involves.If you thought the gameplay in Let's Tap was bizarre, brace yourselves -- according to the ESRB description, Let's Catch features short sessions of "outdoor catch," where players participate in conversations with their computer-controlled partner. These conversations can apparently take a turn towards the topic of romance, with NPC's matter-of-factly stating things like, "I've decided to never think about chasing a married man again." Thanks, but we think we'll leave the computerized relationship chatter in more capable hands fins.[Via Sega Nerds]
North Americans will drum along to original Let's Tap soundtrack
While the concept was intriguing, what really drew our continued attention to Prope's Let's Tap was the promise of a free cardboard box the music. The super-bouncy, catchy soundtrack, most notably the theme song, makes us extremely happy that Prope decided to include a Taiko no Tatsujin-like music game among the lineup of minigames. When Sega announced a North American release, we feared that it would record new music or license popular tunes for the Rhythm Tap mode -- even if we didn't think Sega would drop that kind of money, we maintained a low-level dread regarding the possibility. Luckily, Sega confirmed via its blog that Let's Tap will stay "true to the Japanese feel of the game" and include all of the Japanese tracks! That includes "Kung Fu Disco," which just happens to be embedded after the break. Good call, Sega. It's good for us, and good for your budget. %Gallery-33707%
SEGA reveals another Project Ringo teaser, not much else
You may have noticed -- but probably not -- that Sega's Project Ringo teaser site was updated earlier this week, coinciding with the February 24 date revealed earlier this month. What do we get for nearly two weeks of waiting in breath-filled non-anticipation? Not much. All we get is another ambiguous flash animation with equations, apples, and the silhouette of an unknown character (which seems a bit Sonic Team-esque to us).The animation ends with the hilariously translated question, "What's mean 247?" and notes that the next tidbit will be revealed on March 12. What is Project Ringo? We speculated that it might be a new game from Yuji Naka's Prope studio or perhaps an iPhone game. Whatever it is, we have a couple of weeks to ponder or, as the case may be, remain completely uninterested.Check out the teaser video after the break.
OFLC catches Prope's WiiWare game
After the miraculous announcement of Sega's plan to localize Let's Tap (a game so weird we kind of didn't expect it to make it to stores at all, much less worldwide), we're not too surprised to see Prope's other Wii project, the much more conventional, lower-risk Let's Catch for WiiWare, on its way out of Japan. But we are pleased to see it happening.Let's Catch is exactly what one would infer from the title: a game about playing catch, with multiple single-player modes (including a ... story mode?) and multiplayer. It's a concept so weird (or weirdly mundane) that we find it fascinating! Australia's OFLC ratings board has rated the game, suggesting that it will be released there soon -- and thus, probably worldwide.
Joystiq fingers-on: Let's Tap (Wii)
Let's Tap is certainly unique. As the world's first "controller-less" game it has already set itself apart from the myriad other minigame collections found on the Wii. As the first game from Yuji Naka's (Sonic series, Nights) new development company, Prope, Let's Tap will form expectations of the studio's future output. Based on what we saw, that means unique, experimental, yet ultimately shallow minigame collections.Like we say, Let's Tap is "controller-less." That's not strictly true, however. You'll still need up to four wiimotes, depending on how many players are involved. The wiimotes are placed upside down on cardboard boxes, two of which are bundled with the game -- you're expected to provide the other two yourself. We're assuming you probably have quite a few empty tissue boxes lying around, so that should be no problem. Tapping on the box is the extent of the game's required input. Sadly, the controls aren't perfect. Tapping works fine, there are no qualms there, but double tapping can take some time to get used to. That's all you'll be doing, even when navigating the menus. Single taps move through the menu options and double tap selects. It's quite frustrating to move through the twenty-odd options on screen, only to have the game register your double tap as a single, meaning you have to navigate through the entire screen again. Of course, you can always pick up the wiimote and point at the screen, but that sort of defeats the point, doesn't it?%Gallery-33707%
Sega teases ... something ... called 'Project RINGO'
Alright folks, we're going to be straight with you: We have no idea what this is. Sega of Japan has dropped an almost teaser/maybe ARG, definitely confusing and certainly ambiguous flash animation on its website under the moniker "Project RINGO" (its capitalization, not ours). Aside from the notably monochromatic 2D image in the animation, the text "What happens? ... next_2.24" appears at the end, and source code is provided for a Flash doodad you'll find after the break. We're guessing the "2.24" reference is a countdown to the 24th of February. Oh and that Flash doodad after the break? It's an equation ending with the numbers "247" -- as in 24/7. We don't know much else, but we can speculate:-Is Sega making an iPhone game? "Ringo" = "Apple" in Japanese. "Project Apple" could be a game for the iPhone we've ever heard of or seen. You'll presumably play it 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and undoubtedly be picking apples.-Will "Project RINGO" finally unveil Sonic the Hedgehog creator Yuji Naka's platformer from Sega subsidiary (and Naka's company) Prope? Speaking with Gamasutra at last year's Tokyo Game Show, Naka said, "At Prope, we're actually actually planning on making a game like Sonic right now." That was four months ago.-Is Sega making a game about NiGHTS and Sonic having a child who juggles apples and likes club music? Clearly the most likely choice.Join in the speculation fun yourself in the comments![Via SegaOnline.nl]
Retailers date Let's Tap, Boom Blox Bash Party
GameStop's online store has updated with listings for two newly-announced, and very exciting, Wii games: Boom Blox Bash Party and Let's Tap. According to the retailer, Bash Party will be out on May 19th for $49.99. Let's Tap is dated June 16th, and priced at just $29.99! At those rock bottom prices, we hope Sega can afford to include some cardboard boxes! Amazon corroborates Let's Tap's date and price, but has no listing for Boom Blox Bash Party yet. But the first game came out in May of last year, suggesting that EA considers it a good month for Boom Blox games.%Gallery-33707%Source -- Boom Blox Bash PartySource -- Let's Tap
Sega: Let's confirm Let's Tap for Europe, North America
Let's consider, for a moment, the immense and stalwart dedication exhibited by one Jem Alexander, our man at an ongoing Sega event in a snow-encased London. Despite being in the magnificent company of games featuring a certain sword-wielding hedgehog, this blogger deliberately looked away from the screen (reminder: featuring a hedgehog wielding a sword!) to send us an important email from his iPhone. Which he briefly confused with his iPod Touch -- a notable hazard for those eccentric and loaded enough to own both. What's up with that, Jem?Anyway, he says Sega's rhythmic finger bash, Let's Tap, has been announced for European release. With the party game's undoubtedly arduous localization confirmed, it probably won't take too long for Sega of America to drum up a press release of its own. We'll point out (and at) any updates as we receive them.Update: Sega has confirmed a North American Summer release.%Gallery-33341%
Let's Tap on tap for North America this summer [update]
We don't think 61FPS's John Constantine would lie about Sega planning to release Let's Tap in North America, but, well, there hasn't been an announcement yet, so we're going to label this a rumor for now. Sega has previously shown definite interest in localizing the title, for what it's worth. According to Constantine, Sega is indeed taking the risk and localizing Prope's bizarre minigame collection, which is controlled by tapping a box onto which a Wii Remote has been placed. The North American version will contain the same four modes found in Japan: Tap Runner, a multiplayer race across an obstacle course; Bubble Voyager, an abstract sidescrolling shooter; Silent Blocks, a tap-controlled Jenga-type game; Visualizer, which displays imagery that responds to your tapping; and Rhythm Tap, a rhythm game similar to Taiko Drum Master or Donkey Konga.It may be another minigame collection on the Wii, but, well, we've been humming the theme music for months. Add the unique hands-off controls and the involvement of Yuji Naka, and we are thrilled to have a chance to play this. If this announcement is real.Update: Sega sent out a press release confirming the game for this summer!%Gallery-33341%[Via NeoGAF]
Sega: 'Let's trademark an embarrassing title'
Sega registered a trademark in November that seems to suggest that they'll continue publishing more "Let's" games from Prope -- and also that they're either very mischievous or totally oblivious. The company registered the name "Toy-Lets" for use in video games.Toy-Lets.Okay, it's a funny title. But what's even funnier is that Sega apparently plans to spend money to produce and distribute something under that name. We'd love to see how this could turn out to be a good decision. Of course, it wouldn't be the first use of the word "Toilet" in a game title: Media Vision's Toilet Kids for the PC Engine didn't even make a funny pun out of the word.
Wii Warm Up: Will Sega tap out?
An OFLC rating appeared last week for Sega/Prope's Let's Tap, indicating that Sega submitted the game to the Australian ratings board in preparation for a release in that region. This, of course, suggests that they're planning a worldwide release for Yuji Naka's innovative hands-off game.We suspect, however, that the game was submitted for rating before the disastrous Japanese launch. Will Sega follow through on their plan to localize Let's Tap for other territories, now that it's already proven itself to be a bomb once? Or will they cut their losses? And would it be a terrible decision for Sega to try their luck outside of Japan?%Gallery-33707%
Yuji Naka talks Let's Tap, departure from Sega
Described as "thoughtful and driven" by his interviewer, Yuji Naka is a man inexorably linked to Sonic the Hedgehog -- well, back when that was the cool thing to have on your business card -- and now, the surprisingly fun Let's Tap. Speaking to Gamasutra's Brandon Sheffield during TGS 2008, Naka delved into the reasons for leaving his position at Sega for startup Prope (still backed by Sega). "The game industry has a very short history behind it, and as a result, the more games you make, the further you work your way up the company ladder, until you become one of the heads of the whole outfit," he explained. "Once that happens, you start running out of time to actually make games." We can't really blame the man for wanting to make games, even though his realistic reasoning comes at the expense of the "hedgehogs with guns ARGH" tantrum we've always envisioned him throwing on his last day at the office.As for the "Let's [Verb]" series, Naka hopes to continue it should Let's Tap and Let's Catch catch on. Shh, nobody tell him the bad news.
Let's Tap in different ways
Since yesterday, people all over Japan have been tapping themselves into a joyful frenzy with Prope's Let's Tap. We shan't lie to you, reader: that hurts us.But hey, while we play Let's Wait By The Phone For Sega To Call And Confirm A Localized Version, we may as well torture ourselves with another pair of videos. The footage above and after the jump mostly covers minigames we've already seen, but also demonstrates how success is not about just tapping, but tapping with different degrees of strength, and at certain speeds. We suppose this is what makes Let's Tap feel like a game.On a totally separate note, how fantastic does that Visualizer mode (at 1:08) look?%Gallery-33707%
