‘Hit’ Collection- Let’s Tap Reviewed

Photo of Robert Allen Robert AllenJune 22, 2009
46 786 3 minutes read

Let’s Tap for the Nintendo Wii. Developer: Prope, Publisher: Sega. ESRB: E


From first-party titles such as WarioWare: Smooth Moves to third party fare like the Rayman Raving Rabbids and Carnival Games series, Wii owners are likely familiar with the oversaturated mini-game genre. These compilations typically rely on diversity rather than mechanical profundity to maintain a player’s attention. While these diminutive diversions are amusing in short bursts, they often lack the complexity to hold a gamer’s attention for extended periods of time.

Leave it to the creator of Sonic the Hedgehog, NIGHTS into Dreams, and Samba de Amigo to reinvigorate the stagnancy of the mini-game collection. On the surface, the latest creation from Yuji Naka appears a mere novelty, requiring players to pat a surface near an overturned Wiimote as an input method. Closer inspection shows that the recently released Let’s Tap, draws inspiration from Naka’s exceptional body of work, while the title’s multiplayer components create a delightful synergy reminiscent of Chu Chu Rocket.

Of the five games in the compilation, Tap Runner is arguably the most instantly accessible. The title integrates the physicality of Sonic the Hedgehog’s sprinting, jumps, and precarious edge balances into an activity resembling an interstellar track and field event. As with all the activities in Let’s Tap, players drum on a flat surface, sending vibrations into an inverted Wiimote. Tap Runner translates a quick pat into a stride, while a solid thump evokes a jump. Medaling in any of the fifteen variations is pleasing for a single player, but the game’s simultaneous multiplayer competitions are where this mini-game shines.


Rhythm Tap’s inspiration emanates from the musical performance of the Samba de Amigo series. Similar in play style to Donkey Konga, players must match the notes shown on a scrolling percussional procession. Player’s strikes must match the strength indicated by on-screen prompts- from light pats to more powerful bangs. After a song completes, gamers are judged how closely their taps met with the title’s rhythms. This activity benefits from a diverse variety of music, and a creative implementation of notes. 

Silent Blocks is an amusing recreation of Jenga, where players tap to remove pieces from an unstable stack of disks. Gamers select a piece and then a desired pull angle, completing the pluck with a gentle drumming. Game variations introduce a matching element where three disks of the same color are removed from play. While Silent Blocks is enjoyable, it lacks the variety of adversity found in Tap Runner’s tracks or Rhythm Tap’s music tracks.


Bubble Voyager is the most novel game on the disk, using the title’s input method to recreate the classic NES title, Balloon Fight. Players are required to navigate increasing perilous labyrinth filled with collectables and obstacles. By maintaining the force and pace of drumbeat, participants can maintain an altitude, as the game’s backdrop scrolls by horizontally. When striking the Let’s Tap surface with a bit more force, gamers can launch a missile that eliminates impediments directly in front of them. Levels are punctuated by a clever landing phase, where players attempt a gentle touch down to refill energy.

The last activity of Let’s Tap introduces a relaxed distraction that is less reliant on the goal-oriented gameplay common to the disk. Visualizer allows the player to coat the screen with fireworks and paint, uncovering hidden objects by drumming to the mode’s beat. It’s the disk’s single misstep, feeling like a B-side on an otherwise astonishing compilation of greatest hits.


Let’s Tap’s gameplay hinges on the accuracy and responsiveness of the Wiimote’s ability to perceive the drumming of a participant. Fortunately, the controller correctly interprets an array of patter. Additionally players can vary the tapping surface; tissue boxes allow for heightened sensitivity, while a hardcover book permitted more physicality. Searching for an ideal playing surface that complemented a player’s tapping style added an unforseen bit of merriment to the proceedings.

Each of the games on Let’s Tap are unified by a distinctive aesthetic that forgoes texturing for a sleek, vibrant, and ultimatly- distictive appearance. Players seeking an inspired Wii title that is well suited for multiplayer gaming sessions could do no better that Naka’s latest creation. With a reduced MSRP, and a generous amount of depth, Let’s Tap belongs in every socially-minded gamer’s library.

Photo of Robert Allen Robert AllenJune 22, 2009
46 786 3 minutes read
Photo of Robert Allen

Robert Allen

Since being a toddler, Robert Allen has been immersed in video games, anime, and tokusatsu. Currently, his days are spent teaching at two southern California colleges. But his evenings and weekends are filled with STGs, RPGs, and action titles and well at writing for Tech-Gaming since 2007.

46 Comments

  1. Much better review than Gamepro. They took three paragraphs to say nothing.

  2. I’m still worried about the long term value. This doesn’t sound like it will be fun in a few months or even a few weeks.

  5. When I first heard about this, I thought it was a stupid idea, and was probably just a gimmick.

    Now I heard that the Sonic creator is behind this and reading the review, I might have to try it.

  8. Just don’t Hulk-Smash it in a fit of rage and everything should be alright.

  10. I knew someone would make that joke as soon as I saw the email.

    Sounds cool. Which you you prefer, having a lot of minigames ala Raving Rabbits or a few better one like this?

  12. 4 hits, and one miss, huh. I guess that’s ok.

    I would have liked to see a few more games on the disk.

  18. I’ll end up getting this. For some reason tapping on a box is much more fun than waggle if you ask me.

  20. You can subscribe via email to each discussion or to the entire site. It’s at the bottom of the comment box.

  22. The game could be interesting. I’m glad you guys liked it. It seems like others are really hating on the game.

  23. Let’s Catch is a complete waste of money and time. Tap sounds like a much better game.

  26. I don’t know there’s so much hate on this. I for one, love Sega for bringing out these quirky Japanese titles, and for $30 at that.

  27. Game Informer said that the game was broken, that it didn’t worry correctly. Is that true at all?

  31. I’ll probably pick this up on my way home from work today. 57 minutes and counting.

  32. We try to resist getting cozy with ninjas 😉 They’re assassins after all.

    Thanks for following us.

  34. I read that also. I can saw I had zero problems with accuracy. If my Tap Runner errantly jumped, it’s because I was tapping too hard.

    Moving to a large hardcover book was perfect for my gargantuan fists 😉

  37. I never heard of the game until reading the review. Now, I’m thinking I’ll have to get this for the kids. Oh, I’ll probably play it too.

  41. Yep, people just be happy a game like this was brought over from Japan. A few years ago, this might not have made it over.

  43. I might have to get my TAP on after reading that. $30 sounds decent, for 5 games.

  44. The tapping game could only hold my interest for a little while; my forearms got tired too quickly.

    The Silent Blocks is cool for about 3 rounds, before I noticed there is not much of a difference in levels.

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