Bit.Trip Runner

 Wii
Metascore
76

Generally favorable reviews - based on 25 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 19 out of 25
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 25
  3. Negative: 1 out of 25
  1. Nintendo Life
    100
    Bit.Trip RUNNER epitomises the best qualities of the Bit.Trip series in terms of being a fun game to play as well as honouring the pioneers of console gaming.
  2. Vandal
    96
    Pure fun and maximum challenge. This is an addictive, almost hypnotic experience.
  3. Official Nintendo Magazine UK
    93
    Our favourite game on WiiWare. Most full-price games don't entertain us like this one does.
  5. Cheat Code Central
    90
    Bit.Trip Runner pulls out ahead of the competition to give fans more great gameplay at a ridiculously low price.
  6. Gamereactor Sweden
    90
    Dashes straight to our hearts, serenades our ears and paints our retro-loving souls with every color of the rainbow.
  7. Destructoid
    90
    Like BEAT, it caused me to marvel at the the creative use of economic game design to create an experience that inspired both comfort and anxiety, familiarity and wonder.
  8. Universo Nintendo
    90
    Bit.Trip Runner is unique in every way. It's a game that combines platforming and rhythm, with great old-school graphics and sounds. And it's addictive in the same way the old Arcade classics are: based on the player's belief that he can play better the next time.
  9. 3DJuegos
    86
    An amazing wiiware title. It's a game that combines platforming and rhythm, with great old-school visuals.
  10. NintendoWorldReport
    85
    BIT.TRIP RUNNER is a feast for the eyes and ears, and its gameplay is very inspired. However, the lack of checkpoints makes things more frustrating than they should be, but if you loved the earlier BIT.TRIP games, then RUNNER shouldn't be missed.
  11. GameSpot
    85
    Simplicity, complexity, and difficulty work in harmony in this marvelously scored entry in the Bit.Trip series.
  12. Multiplayer.it
    85
    Beyond the mere retro-chic, Bit.Trip Runner is a fast paced and addictive running game that is able to wake up the original spirit of a videogamer, through its simple concept. Sometimes frustrating but definitely something to try.
  13. GameZone
    85
    Bit.Trip Runner requires tremendous levels of patience, determination, and skill, probably more than most people can muster. If you have what it takes, Bit.Trip Runner is absolutely fantastic - a rare game that makes you truly happy to be playing.
  14. Games Master UK
    80
    A real retro treat. [Aug 2010, p.103]
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  15. Metro GameCentral
    80
    Mercilessly difficult, and unusually complicated, but the best looking and most varied BIT. TRIP yet.
  16. Gamer.nl
    80
    Finally here is a game that can put you in a gamers trance again. Without thinking about it you can guide your character past obstacles and entire levels. It takes a perfectly balanced game to achieve this, and that's exactly what Bit.Trip Runner is. This is the purest platformer we've played in a very long time.
  17. Joystiq
    80
    I suspect the brutal difficulty in Bit.Trip Runner will be polarizing -- some will find the challenge exciting, and some will find it too stressful. My personal experience occupies something of a "sweet spot" in the middle.
  18. ZTGD
    78
    I may have not been around in that era, and don't have those roots of gaming, but if you can bring the style back and make it work in 2010, you are definitely doing something right.
  19. Everyeye.it
    75
    Bit. Trip Runner is an extremely particular product, more an audio-visual experience than just a simple game. It's surely fun, but sometimes hampered by faulty gameplay choices, based on trial and error mechanics. A game not for everyone, but surely interesting.
  20. Game Revolution
    75
    bit.Trip Runner stands practically alone in a crowded lineup of Wiiware releases. Like its predecessors, the nostalgia-fueled gameplay makes up most of this game's charm and it's easily recommendable as a downloadable title.
  21. games(TM)
    70
    When Runner hits its stride, you'll end stages wanting to high-five the dev team and probably yourself as well. [Aug 2010, p.120]
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  22. Eurogamer
    70
    No matter how much you try to like it, the price of 'winning' will be spending the rest of your days gently rocking in the corner.
  23. IGN
    70
    Bit.Trip Runner is glorious to behold and hear, but when it comes time to play it is often a frustrating experience.
  24. Gamekult
    60
    Easy to handle, Bit.Trip Runner got nice graphics as well and a hypnotic music score.
  25. Edge Magazine
    50
    Commander Video needs to be the bigger rectangle and step aside for the two final planned installments. [July 2010, p.103]
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  26. Nintendo Gamer
    20
    Inoffensively made, but the blood rage it invoked is unforgivable. Avoid it - you'll feel better. [July 2010, p.70]
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Awards & Rankings

36
#36 Best Wii Game of 2010
42
#42 Most Discussed Wii Game of 2010
57
#57 Most Shared Wii Game of 2010

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 37 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 28 out of 37
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 37
  3. Negative: 7 out of 37
  1. MrMintyCool
    Jan 8, 2011
    0
    Never in my life have i been more frustrated. While it looks and sounds okay It is just to frustrating to recomend . Seriously, avoid thisNever in my life have i been more frustrated. While it looks and sounds okay It is just to frustrating to recomend . Seriously, avoid this game unless you like to be frustrated… Full Review »
  2. Conchris
    Dec 6, 2010
    6
    Bit.Trip Runner is, obviously, the fourth game in the Bit.Trip series, and it pretty much stands out from the rest, but not by much. While theBit.Trip Runner is, obviously, the fourth game in the Bit.Trip series, and it pretty much stands out from the rest, but not by much. While the gameplay is simple enough, the difficulty curve tends to become difficult to scale as time goes on, eventually making some levels require super-human reflexes, which, unfortunately, some of us lack when all we really want is to advance through the game, which is absolutely frustrating.

    The good things about this game is the music within the game, which is quite fun to listen to, when you're not forced to listen to the same loop over and over again when you're stuck on one level. The art is quite good too, mixing 8-bit-like sprites with a 3-D world.

    In short, an okay game, but 800 Wii points is just too much for a frustrating game such as this.    … Full Review »
  3. kSum
    Jan 29, 2014
    9
    It's hilariously good. The environment reacts on every obstacle you pass and after some time you find yourself bouncing in the rhythm as theIt's hilariously good. The environment reacts on every obstacle you pass and after some time you find yourself bouncing in the rhythm as the game takes you with it.… Full Review »
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