Let's Tap trailer explains penguin accessibility

by Griffin McElroy { Oct 5th 2008 at 7:00PM }

Imagine our excitement when word arose that Sega's upcoming penguin-friendly title Let's Tap could be played "without holding a controller". We thought the day we've dreamed about since we pressed the power button on our respective first home consoles had come -- the day when video games aren't played with hands, but with minds. Unfortunately, a trailer for the game surfaced during the Nintendo Media Summit, revealing that while no controller-touching will actually be required to play Let's Tap, hands will still be part of the equation.

To get a clear understanding of the control scheme, check out the trailer after the break. It seems the game will be manipulated by placing a Wiimote face-down on a flat surface (a Nintendo Wii box is used in the video), then tapping upon said surface. We're still not positive how it works -- though we are positive that the speak-and-spell-infused song used in the trailer has stick-in-your-head properties we haven't seen since the days of Lou Bega.

Tags: lets-tap, nintendo-media-summit, sega, trailer, wii, Yuji-naka

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

nickels @ Oct 5th 2008 7:16PM

i dont have my wii box, can i not play this?

Dralzz @ Oct 5th 2008 7:25PM

You'll have to buy the Official Wii Box, for only $20.

But don't worry, Madcatz will make a knockoff version soon enough and sell it for $12. It'll break after a few months, though.

deft @ Oct 5th 2008 7:19PM

Looks interesting.

Though... How long till we see an accessory (a cardboard or plastic box) for this game?

time @ Oct 5th 2008 7:25PM

the box that the game is packaged in can be used to play.

shMerker @ Oct 6th 2008 2:17AM

I'm holding out for when Nyko makes a live penguin for it.

Stu L Tissimus @ Oct 5th 2008 7:22PM

...What?!

Also, is it just me or does this seem like it'd be much more suited to the DK Bongos?

Abscissa @ Oct 5th 2008 9:23PM

That's just what I thought when I saw the running part. "Wha...? So this is basically a shallower and less precise Donkey Kong Jungle Beat?"

Syn @ Oct 5th 2008 7:23PM

Let's Not!

Moptimus Slime @ Oct 5th 2008 7:24PM

Wow, I am so getting visions of the good ol' Power Pad

does that mean a port of Athletic World/World Class Track Meet is in the works?

clogger @ Oct 5th 2008 7:28PM

Let's tap... that ass.

Doug @ Oct 5th 2008 10:57PM

+1 for witty comment. -1 because it's Nintendo. C'mon, there are kids on this post.

vdeogmer @ Oct 6th 2008 12:14PM

xkcd much?

xgarryx @ Oct 5th 2008 7:30PM

fail

Moptimus Slime @ Oct 5th 2008 7:38PM

Yet again Griffin, this post seems to be suffering a severe lack of penguin gameplay. This is unacceptable, fix this problem IMMEDIATELY or face the possibility of dire consequences

Giza @ Oct 5th 2008 7:39PM

well, i like it! it's something different and fresh. i hope it turns out good.

Giza @ Oct 5th 2008 7:40PM

well, i like it! it's something different and fresh. i hope it turns out good.

Shmil @ Oct 5th 2008 7:43PM

a tap-dancing penguin?

Chris Are @ Oct 5th 2008 7:56PM

Let's tap, let's tap. Future tapping game.(??????)

Chris Are @ Oct 5th 2008 8:04PM

Ugh! Joystiq, you warned me about the song getting stuck in my head, but I didn't heed your warning... It won't get out!! Damn that j-pop-esque music!

aristokrat @ Oct 5th 2008 10:09PM

Ha! I already had 'The Final Countdown' stuck in my head, and everybody knows nothing can get that out of your head (unfortunately).

VaultICEE @ Oct 5th 2008 7:59PM

Is this just another mini game collection?

snarfoogle @ Oct 5th 2008 8:13PM

Yes, more minigames with alternate control schemes. Hooray for innovation!

Megadanxzero @ Oct 5th 2008 9:23PM

Swap the word liberate for innovate and I think this comic fits pretty well...

http://vgcats.com/comics/images/060903.jpg

Mr Khan @ Oct 5th 2008 8:00PM

Nobody has yet explained to me how the Wiimote is capable of detecting this

?

Dan @ Oct 5th 2008 8:12PM

well thats really easy, the Wii mote is on the surface that you tap. When you tap said surface it will vibrate which will also vibrate the wiimote. The wiimote will detect the slight movement and this vibration (the rapid moving, up and down, of the wiimote) will register and motions to the console. Thats pretty mcuh it.

BloodShot Robot @ Oct 5th 2008 8:06PM

So essentially your actions have absolutely no affect on what happens in the "game".

Chris Are @ Oct 5th 2008 8:14PM

You tap... tapping is an action... Am I missing your point here...?

Moptimus Slime @ Oct 5th 2008 8:49PM

@Chris: But there are no quick time events or redundant button combinations

Thomas @ Oct 5th 2008 8:08PM

Am I correct in remembering that the wiimote has some sort of disabled or primitive microphone chip inside it?

http://www.nintendowiifanboy.com/2007/06/01/currently-unused-component-found-in-wiimote/

Mr Khan @ Oct 5th 2008 8:10PM

Oh yeah. That makes sense.

Thanks, that was bugging the hell out of me.

Abscissa @ Oct 5th 2008 9:22PM

Not exactly. It's just an ADC (analog to digital converter). Could be used for anything, including, but not limited to, microphones. There's no actual sound-detecting device in it though (unless you count the speaker, but I'm sure using it to detect sound would require some physical internal rewiring).