Bit of a trip

I don't usually spend much time covering WiiWare games. In fact, since Nintendo launched their answer to the XBLA and PSN, there hasn't been a single title that has tickled my fancy. Until now. Joystiq just released an exclusive video of Bit. Trip: Beat, a new rhythm game developed by Gaijin and published by Aksys (don't worry - I hadn't heard of them either).

On the surface, it looks sort of like Pong meets Rez. You have a panel on the left-hand side that can be moved up or down. Little dots fly at you in time with the music, and by bouncing them back you play a note, so a continuous combo will keep the tune going. By the looks of it, missing too many will cause your panel to shrink - making it harder - but this can remedied by getting your combo back up again. The video even teases a boss battle, which looks even more Pong than the rest of the game! Here's the list of features taken from the official site, including a slightly worrying misspelling of the word 'rhythm':

• Classic Arcade-Style Gameplay
  
• Retro-Inspired Art Style
  
• Music/Rhthym-Based Gameplay
  
• 8-bit and Chiptune Music
  
• 4-Player Local Co-op Multiplayer

No price has been set, but in an interview with Game Music 4 All, Gaijin's Alex Neuse said "Our hopeful launch will be in mid-February, but I will not promise a date yet. :)". I take it by the emoticon that this wasn't a live interview. So it sounds like it won't be long before I'm dusting off my Wii and filling up my virtual wallet. I just can't pass up a good rhythm game, and I might as well get some use out of that little white box under my television!

For now, here's the video for you to check out: