BIT.TRIP BEAT(WiiWare 600 Wii points) is one part Pong, on part rhythm game, where they player controls a paddle with their Wii remote, bouncing oncoming balls away to the lovely beat of 8-bit music. Changes in the music and scenery let you know how well you're doing, and up to three friends can join you in local multiplayer, because tripping alone is never a good idea. It's basically an Atari 2600 game created with modern development techniques, creating something that could be described as retro-licious, if it weren't for the fact that anyone actually using that term is a complete and utter tool.

Those of you who want retro without the obnoxious licious might get a kick out of Summer Games II for the Commodore 64 (Virtual Console 500 Wii points), though boy those C64 games haven't held up well over the years.

As always, see below for the official Nintendo game descriptions.

BIT.TRIP BEAT (Aksys Games, 1-4 players, Rated E for Everyone, 600 Wii Points): BIT.TRIP BEAT is a rhythm game that brings retro action into the present, letting you use the motion-sensing Wii Remote™ controller to bounce beats. Retro visuals, classic game play, four-player multiplayer and an 8-bit soundtrack will get you in the zone and rock your world. The challenges are mighty, but if you can stay cool as the difficulty increases, you'll discover the beginnings of the BIT.TRIP saga.

Summer Games II™ (Commodore 64, 1-8 players, Rated E for Everyone, 500 Wii Points): A thousand athletes. A hundred countries. Billions watching around the world as you enter the stadium, marching confidently among your nation's strongest, fastest and boldest young men and women. Your gaze sweeps the crowd as you realize the scope of your achievement. You are about to compete against the world's best athletes in a 3,000-year-old competition. This is the pinnacle of athletic achievement: the Summer Games. Summer Games II challenges your competitive skills with a series of athletic contests for one to eight players. Experience the excitement and realism of eight different events: cycling, equestrian, fencing, high jump, javelin, kayaking, rowing and triple jump. Practice each event to sharpen your skills, then choose from the 18 countries you can represent in the competition.

Bit.Trip Beat is an upcoming WiiWare title that takes the age-old concept of a paddle and balls and mixes in some of the latest Chiptune music in order to create a game that looks, from the trailer on their website, like it would be an absolute blast to play.

“The Gaijin Games team wanted to make a game that used the tools of today to inspire the fun of yesterday. Our goal was to make a game that was as simple in gameplay as the games of the early 80s and equally as fun—even though gamers' tastes have changed over the years,” continues Alex Neuse, Designer of Gaijin Games. “And let's face it, sometimes a really good video game is just awesome. We hope you enjoy BIT.TRIP BEAT.”

Before you comment, be sure to head over to http://aksysgames.com/bittripbeat to check out the tiny trailer they've got running on the front page. That right there is a game I could see myself playing for a good long time. No fancy graphics, no orchestral soundtrack. Just me, some colored blocks, and a scoreboard.

Well, unless of course I have some friends around, seeing as the title will support multiplayer. It just sounded much cooler that way.

AKSYS GAMES ANNOUNCES BIT.TRIP BEAT
Once again, getting the high score is all that matters in life

Torrance, CA (January 13, 2009) - Aksys Games, a publisher of interactive entertainment software, is pleased to unveil BIT.TRIP BEAT exclusively for WiiWare™! Developed by Gaijin Games, BIT.TRIP BEAT marks the first adventure of Commander Video. Using the Wii Remote™, players will test their twitch skills as they battle through a retro-esque universe, familiar to the old generation and yet reinvented for the new.

BIT.TRIP BEAT STORY
Everything comes from something. We were before we became. From life comes rhythm, and from rhythm comes life. We are beings of information. Everything is a conduit for learning. We communicate in bits and bytes. And we will return to something once we become nothing; after our BIT.TRIP is complete. “BIT.TRIP BEAT is a crazy mix of 80s aesthetics and modern game design,” states Michael Manzanares, Producer of Aksys Games. “It's challenging, yet fair, and completely addicting."

“The Gaijin Games team wanted to make a game that used the tools of today to inspire the fun of yesterday. Our goal was to make a game that was as simple in gameplay as the games of the early 80s and equally as fun—even though gamers' tastes have changed over the years,” continues Alex Neuse, Designer of Gaijin Games. “And let's face it, sometimes a really good videogame is just awesome. We hope you enjoy BIT.TRIP BEAT.”

Key Features: · Bring Back That Loving Feeling BIT.TRIP BEAT brings back the classic arcade-style gameplay where getting the high score matters!

· Pixel Blocks For The Win Keeping the arcade-style gameplay isn't enough, BIT.TRIP BEAT sports a unique retro-inspired art style that will stimulate your senses.

· Old School Tunes Who said old-school 8-bit music was out? BIT.TRIP BEAT bumps the latest chiptune music to keep the action fresh!

· Friends Can Play Too! Can't beat a level? No problem, BIT.TRIP BEAT allows 2 to 4 player co-op mode! But don't think that makes it any easier…

BIT.TRIP BEAT has not been rated by the ESRB. More information about Aksys Games and BIT.TRIP BEAT can be found at www.aksysgames.com/bittripbeat . Nintendo trademarks used under license. WIiWare is avaialble through the Wii console.