Bit.Trip Saga 3DS

by Aksys

• BIT.TRIP goes portable for the first time!
• All six award-winning BIT.TRIP games in one package!
• Stunning 3D levels that defy spatial perception
• Brand new controls for a whole new BIT.TRIP experience!

Product Details

• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B004XYQ3M8
• Product Dimensions: 5.4 x 4.9 x 0.6 inches ; 1.6 ounces
• Media: Video Game
• Release Date: September 13, 2011
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,042 in Video Games (See Top 100 in Video Games)
  • #1 in Video Games > Nintendo 3DS > Games > Arcade

Product Description

Amazon.com

BIT.TRIP SAGA 3DS is a compilation of the six games of the BIT.TRIP series originally developed as WiiWare and for play on various mobile platforms. A unique blend of classic 8-bit Arcade style graphics, and modern gaming elements, BIT.TRIP SAGA 3DS allows for a complete experience of this popular series acclaimed for its merging of the best of classic and modern gaming. Compilation features include: addictive Rhythm-based gameplay, chiptune-inspired soundtracks, a variety of gameplay mechanics, in-game guests and more.

Pong meets Rez in BIT.TRIP BEAT.
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Take aim in BIT.TRIP CORE.
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Expand the void in BIT.TRIP VOID.
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Rhythm-based action platforming in BIT.TRIP RUNNER.
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Rail Shooter action in BIT.TRIP FATE.
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Mixed gameplay in BIT.TRIP FLUX.
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The BIT.TRIP Saga Goes 3D on Nintendo 3DS

Originally developed as WiiWare and as individual downloadable games for Apple phones and mobile systems, the BIT.TRIP game series is now available from start to finish via Nintendo 3DS in BIT.TRIP SAGA. Anchored by the actions, adventures and escalating revelations of the personage of the of series hero, CommanderVideo, the six games of BIT.TRIP SAGA feature rhythm-based gameplay that blends classic Arcade style graphics with modern game elements and design. Each game in the series although brief features challenging gameplay and utilize differing classic Arcade gameplay mechanics and chiptune-inspired synthesizer soundtracks integrated into gameplay that make for unique and addictive gameplay that is destined to be a gamer's delight on the Nintendo 3DS.

The Games

BIT.TRIP BEAT

Pong meets Rez in this nutty, Rhythm-based adventure that marks the beginning of the BIT.TRIP series hero CommanderVideo's epic journey of the soul.

Game Features

• Ultra-precise Rhythm-based controls and crazy boss battles
• A crazy chiptune-inspired soundtrack
• Special chiptune guest star Bit Shifter
• Classic gameplay with brain-melting visuals
• Intriguing cut scenes that introduce you to CommanderVideo

BIT.TRIP CORE

BIT.TRIP CORE is the second installment in CommanderVideo's saga. The game again features Rhythm-based action, this time in which players control a ship know as the "core" positioned at the center of the screen and use its four-way laser to destroy geometric block patterns known as beats. Building score multipliers raises your game literally to new levels of ever addictive gameplay.

Game Features

• Classic Arcade style controls and beautiful boss battles
• A thumpin' chiptune-inspired soundtrack
• Special chiptune guest Star Bubblyfish
• Escalating mind-melting challenges
• Revealing cut scenes

BIT.TRIP VOID

BIT.TRIP VOID is a Rhythm-based game in which players take control of the on-sceen "void," a black pixelated circle, which grows as it absorbs black blocks that it encounters, and in turn is negatively affected by white areas.

Game Features

• Mid-level checkpoints and epic boss battles
• A rockin' chiptune-inspired soundtrack
• Special chiptune guest star Nullsleep
• Synaesthetic music/art/gameplay interaction
• Hyper-realistic retro cut scenes

BIT.TRIP RUNNER

Based in Platformer gameplay mechanics, BIT.TRIP RUNNER marks the first in-game appearance of CommanderVideo as players move him to the left or right, and prompt him to jump, slide and kick through 50 game level filled with obstacles and bosses.

Game Features

• Rhythm-based action platforming and classic Arcade-style controls
• 50+ challenges and boss battles against robotic terrors
• A pounding Chiptune-inspired soundtrack
• Special Chiptune guest star Anamanaguchi
• Meet new in-game friends of CommanderVideo

BIT.TRIP FATE

Discover CommanderVideo's true face as you annihilate everything in your path in this strategic Rail-Shooter, filled with enemies, allies and special weapons.

Game Features

• Collect power-ups to call on CommanderVideo's friends for powerful shot upgrades
• A chiptune-inspired dubstep soundtrack helps bring the action to a whole new level
• Video game worlds collide with appearances from Super Meat Boy and Mr. Robotube
• Escalating mind-melting challenges
• Chipmusic artist Minusbaby helps set the tone with a special guest appearance

BIT.TRIP FLUX

CommanderVideo's final adventure, BIT.TRIP FLUX contains a blend of the Rhythm-based gameplay from the original game in the series as well as select elements found in the other previous games in the series.

Game Features

• New power-ups including the full screen paddle
• New beat types including 'Avoid Blobs'
• Mid-level checkpoints
• Classic BIT.TRIP BEAT gameplay now with all the modes including the new Meta Mode
• Bit Shifter returns as the Chiptune guest star

Product Description

BIT.TRIP SAGA is a compilation of all 6 award-winning BIT.TRIP games:BEAT, CORE, VOID, RUNNER, FATE, and FLUX! BIT.TRIP SAGA introduces 3Dfunctionality to the series, giving the environments radical depth.Experience the crushing difficulty of arcade-style action over a rockin’Chiptune soundtrack and follow CommanderVideo’s journey home.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 29 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Bit.Trip Incomplete (shame about the 3D effect...) September 20, 2011

By race_of_doom VINE™ VOICE

Fun: 5.0 out of 5 stars   

Bit.Trip Saga is a compilation featuring six amazing indie games from developer Gaijin. All of them were originally released on the WiiWare service, and all of them contain some of the finest gaming experiences I've had this generation, (stylized) retro graphics be damned. If you like addictive, arcade like gaming with beautiful visuals and moving chiptune soundtracks, you'll LOVE this.

Having them on the go is really quite nice, and playing them in 2D is a pretty wonderful experience with headphones. But when one entertains the idea of moving the 3D slider up, well...

For some reason, the 3D effect in this game drops the framerate down QUITE a bit for most of the games. It technically works -- there is obvious spatial difference between objects, and simply glancing at it is quite entertaining. But these are games that require utmost precision on part of the player, especially Runner, which gets hit the absolute hardest from level one. It's really unfortunate, because 3D is one of the main reasons most people would buy this in the first place.

Also, the slide pad control on Beat and Flux is awful. What should be a more traditional Pong like experience is marred by hilariously over-sensitive controls. Stick to the touch screen (which works QUITE well, I might add).

Furthermore, Saga is just lacking in content when one compares it to the Wii compilation Complete. For the same price on the Wii, you get online leaderboards, a soundtrack, different difficulty selections (a must for the causal players -- these games can get HARD), NEW challenges/levels, letters from the creators, and local multiplayer. The multiplayer especially hurts, because it was always available even in the original WiiWare releases.

In short, Saga is great for those without a Wii or maybe those that simply want to take all six wonderful Bit.Trip games wherever they want. Don't expect any frills or options, and don't expect a flawless 3D performance -- but do expect to be playing some amazing games.

26 of 32 people found the following review helpful

2.0 out of 5 stars Six great games, one terrible package. September 29, 2011

By capplum

Amazon Verified Purchase

Fun: 2.0 out of 5 stars   

The Bit.Trip series is varying degrees of fantastic. They twist relatively simple game concepts around a choreographed, rhythmic center in an experience one might describe as "Retro meets Rez", then wrap it in a layer of classic, old-school difficulty. Each individual game is short, but will try your patience and skills like few modern games do. The victories are enormously gratifying, and you can spend hours trying to best your high scores and seek perfection. Some of the games in the package are better than others, (Runner, in particular, stands out) but they are all consistently good--there's not a dud to be had here.

Glowing praise, right? It's a real shame that six amazing games have been ported so terribly to the 3DS.

First off, the package is the very definition of bare-bones. You have a main menu that lets you select from one of the six games, and can exit back to this menu from within any of the games. Each game is played on the top screen, and controls well enough. (Beat and Flux can be controlled via the touch screen, Runner, Core, and Void via the buttons, and Fate with a combination of both.) This wouldn't be as much of an issue, if there weren't more complete packages of the game to be found elsewhere. (The concurrently released Bit.Trip Complete comes to mind.) Basically, there are better ways to play these games if you look to other platforms.

But that alone is not enough to warrant the low score. No, this game is technically flawed. The framerates are unplayably jittery in 3D mode, and dip frequently on the more "intense" games in 2D. (Runner suffers the most from this.) There is absolutely no excuse for framerate issues of any kind on standardized hardware, ESPECIALLY not in a rhythm game that demands precise timing and close observation. The jumps and skips in framerate will knock you out of the experience frequently, and may even ruin your score. It's pretty clear that this port was rushed, both in its technical weaknesses and its lack of features, and you would do best to avoid it.

In short, buy the Bit.Trip games. Buy all of them. But don't do it here.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Lots of Fun, amazing animation. November 2, 2011

By Ivan Barrera

Amazon Verified Purchase

Fun: 5.0 out of 5 stars   

This is just the video game for 8-bit guys.
Perhaps it is not the most awesome graphics you'll see, or the most extreme play experience you'll have.

This is a set of simple games. All based on simple principles. Pressing buttons, and/or moving around.
Most people fall inmediatly in love with "Runner", thats why my review will center on it.

A really simple game, with an 8-bit guy running, and you just have to jump (to avoid holes), slide (to avoid getting hit in the head), kick (to break some obstacle), etc. That's it. Oh, and also, you will have a really nice 8-bit music in the background, which, when you get some powerups, starts converting to a new kind of music.
Backgrounds are 3d, and really nice. You wont notice them, until you become good at the game, because if you look too much, you'll get hit and have to start all over again.

The other games are just as simple. Some look like Pong (evolved). Music is always simple at the beginning, and becomes something else as you get powerups. Backgrounds are always really distracting with 3d motion. (and 3d effects on the 3ds display).

Like 3 weeks ago i got like 5 games for the 3ds... Im still playing Bit Trip Saga : Runner :)