Metascore
78

Generally favorable reviews - based on 5 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 5
  2. Negative: 0 out of 5
  1. Nintendo Force Magazine
    May 17, 2021
    95
    It's an auto-runner (surprise!), but unlike others in that genre, it has a definitive end. [Issue #51 – March/April 2021, p. 21]
  2. Feb 2, 2021
    80
    RUNNER is still a rhythm game: the chiptune music is still just as strong, and you jump, duck, and kick to the beat in order to progress.
  3. Jan 11, 2021
    80
    If there was one BIT.TRIP game I had to recommend to a general audience, it would be BIT.TRIP RUNNER. It’s definitely the hardest game of the series and doesn’t necessarily do too much that’s exciting, but it’s still great fun and serves as the best introduction to what the series is all about.
  4. Dec 21, 2020
    75
    BIT.TRIP RUNNER holds up pretty well for an indie game from 2010. True, its sequels have spoiled us with checkpoints and leaderboards. But this more modest entry comes at the more modest price of $4.99, making it a worthwhile purchase for fans asking for a challenge.
  5. 70
    The BIT.TRIP series took off with Runner on WiiWare, so much so that the two successive Nintendo consoles have each had a Runner sequel. And honestly, what Runner has done now is made me look forward to the Switch port of Runner 2 coming next year, because I prefer its art style and it has checkpoints. Even if they are optional. Runner’s still my favorite of the original BIT.TRIP series but if you pick up Runner you get a big discount on the other ones so it may be better to explore those instead.
User Score
4.8

Generally unfavorable reviews- based on 5 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 5
  2. Negative: 2 out of 5
  1. Aug 25, 2023
    8
    This is a great little game, perfectly suited to a handheld device like the Switch. Part auto-runner, part rhythm game, it's difficultThis is a great little game, perfectly suited to a handheld device like the Switch. Part auto-runner, part rhythm game, it's difficult (especially due to the lack of checkpoints) but satisfying enough to keep you coming back for "one more run". Great chiptune soundtrack too. Full Review »
  2. Mar 4, 2023
    8
    A great game for what you pay. its challenging no doubt but incredibly fun.
  3. Jan 20, 2021
    7
    The first of the Runner trilogy is also the most challenging, the lack of checkpoints in particular is a bit hard to go back to, as itThe first of the Runner trilogy is also the most challenging, the lack of checkpoints in particular is a bit hard to go back to, as it increases the amount of repetition required for completion substantially. While the visual style is nice and the gameplay is at it's core enjoyable, the unnecessarily high difficulty level makes this my least favorite entry in the series. With that said, it is still overall quite a good game, and worth playing if you're up for the challenge, especially for the relatively miniscule asking price. Full Review »