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Android
iOS
Mac
Switch
Wii
Wii U
PC
PS4
PS5
Xbox One
Xbox X|SWe've documented 20 accessibility features for Bits & Bops, including Fully Voiced (Or No Speech), No Button Combos, No Holds, 1 Button and Play Without Hearing. Its accessibility is strongest in Controls and Reading but it also has features in Visual, Navigation, Audio and Getting Started to reduce unintended barriers.
This report is created with input from accessibility experts and the player community to help people find games that have the accessibility features they require. Once you have found potential games on the database, there are excellent specialist accessibility sites that offer in-depth reviews to guide your purchasing decisions.
Our accessibility examiner, Ben Kendall, first checked Bits & Bops accessibility 4 weeks ago.
Accessibility Notes
Although more than one button is needed to select a minigame to play, all minigames themselves only rely on a single button. Holds aren't needed, but rapid pressing is essential to getting all the inputs. Quick reactions are constantly needed.
Text is high in contrast but not large. There is no dialogue in the game.
Although it is a rhythm game, there are robust visual cues as well as audio cues that inform you of both the beat and when you're expected to press the button, and the game is playable without sound.
In the minigame where you photograph a seal, taking a photo momentarily turns the screen black. Although this isn't a flash, it may still be disorienting to some players.
There are often visual distractions, such as objects obscuring the thing you're doing or the screen turning upside-down, which are intentionally distracting to try and throw you off.
Game Details
Release Date: Coming soon
Coming Soon: Mac, PC, PS5, Switch and Xbox X|S
Skill Rating: 8+ year-olds
Players: 1
Genres: Rhythm and Action
Accessibility: 20 features
Components: 2D Side-On and Cartoon
Developer: Tempo Lab Games (@TempoLabGames)
Costs: Purchase cost
Controls
We've documented 4 accessibility features for Controls in Bits & Bops which deal with how you control the game, different options for alternative inputs and whether you can remap these settings to suit your needs.
Gamepad
Can play with the following:
1 Button: Can play with a single button.
Mouse And Keyboard
Can play with the following:
Keyboard Alone: Can play with just the keyboard.
Button Combinations
Specific button operation required to play
Holding Down Buttons Optional: Holding down buttons for prolonged periods (a second or more) is not required or can be switched to toggling the action on and off. This is in addition to the movement stick/button which is not considered a hold for this purpose.
No Simultaneous Buttons: Only one button or key required at a time, in addition to direction stick(s).
Similar Games With More Accessibility Features for Controls
If you want to play Bits & Bops, but it doesn't offer the Controls accessibility features you require, these similar games extend the Controls accessibility:
- Just Shapes & Beats (9 Controls Features)
- Rhythm Rabbit (8 Controls Features)
- Spin Rhythm XD (8 Controls Features)
- Trombone Champ (6 Controls Features)
Difficulty
We haven’t documented any accessibility features for Difficulty in Bits & Bops which deal with how you can adjust the challenge of play, and whether this is locked once chosen or can be adjusted as you play. The following games are similar to Bits & Bops, and offer accessibility features for Difficulty:
- Just Shapes & Beats (2 Difficulty Features)
- Rhythm Doctor (2 Difficulty Features)
- Hexagroove: Tactical DJ (2 Difficulty Features)
- Spin Rhythm XD (2 Difficulty Features)
Getting Started
We've documented 2 accessibility features for Getting Started in Bits & Bops which deal with what support is offered to get started with the game. This includes customising the experience when you first open the game via any onboarding processes it provides as well as tutorials and other assistance when you first start playing.
Assistance Getting Starting
These features aid your play of the game in terms of cognitive load on learning controls, dealing with pressure and coping with the environment and challenges.
Tutorials: There are helpful tutorials and instructions on how to play. Information is provided in a timely manner, with appropriate level of detail.
No Jump Scares: No sudden loud noises or popping-up scary visuals that unexpectedly appear without warning, or the option to disable them.
Similar Games With More Accessibility Features for Getting Started
If you want to play Bits & Bops, but it doesn't offer the Getting Started accessibility features you require, these similar games extend the Getting Started accessibility:
- Trombone Champ (5 Getting Started Features)
- Spin Rhythm XD (5 Getting Started Features)
- Hexagroove: Tactical DJ (4 Getting Started Features)
- Just Shapes & Beats (3 Getting Started Features)
Reading
We've documented 4 accessibility features for Reading in Bits & Bops which deal with how much reading or listening comprehension is required, how well the game provides visual and audible access to the text and whether subtitles and captions are a good fit for purpose.
Reading Level
How much reading is required to play the game's main path or story and how complex the language is. The presence of voiced characters doesn't reduce this requirement, as it's recorded as a separate datapoint.
Simple Minimal Reading: Minimal reading is required. The quantity and complexity of reading are at a level that a primary/elementary student (9-year-old) could understand.
Text Visibility
High Contrast Text: Text colour contrasts to the background or can be adjusted to be. The text in menus, instructions and other information is presented in high contrast with a solid background.
Subtitles
All Speech Subtitled (Or No Speech In Game): All spoken content has subtitles, or there is no speech in the game. This means there is no requirement to hear spoken dialogue or narrative to play the game.
Voice Acted
All Dialogue is Voice Acted (Or No Speech In Game): All of the game dialogue and narrative can be voiced, or there is no speech in the game. This means there is no requirement to read the dialogue and narrative text to play the game.
Navigation
We've documented 3 accessibility features for Navigation in Bits & Bops which deal with how the game provides guidance and assistance to navigate its worlds. These are only for games that have traversal and exploration in 2D and 3D spaces.
Clarity
Large Clear Navigation: The in-game navigation and maps are clear to read. They offer large text and offer markers that are large and of high contrast. Where text or information is small, there are settings to zoom-in and increase visibility.
Clear Mission Objectives: The game provides clear, structured missions with directional guidance and advice on which can be attempted next. This also indicates (ideally on maps where they are provided) which missions can't be attempted because you do not have the appropriate items yet.
Menu Navigation
Digital Menu Navigation: Menu choices with Gamepad can be made without using an analogue stick to guide a cursor to a selection. For example, using D-Pad, buttons or the Stick to change menu selection in a single action.
Visual
We've documented 4 accessibility features for Visual in Bits & Bops which deal with how you can adjust the visuals to suit your needs, and offer additional information if you can't hear the game.
Contrast
Medium Contrast: Game uses generally well contrasting and bright visuals, or has a slider to make this the case.
Audio Cues for Visual Events
Audio Cues for Visual Events: Audio is provided to indicate visual events. Game events or progress highlighted by visual icons, effects or animations are also accompanied by audio to signify that progress. This is useful for blind players.
Motion Sickness Friendly
Motion Sickness Friendly: Doesn't have 3D movement elements that may trigger motion sickness, like motion blur, depth of field and field-of-vision. Or includes the ability to disable motion blur, depth of field and field-of-vision effects.
Colour Options
Colour Blind Friendly: Game doesn’t rely on colour or can switch to colour blind friendly mode with double coding or similar way to avoid colour dependance.
Similar Games With More Accessibility Features for Visual
If you want to play Bits & Bops, but it doesn't offer the Visual accessibility features you require, these similar games extend the Visual accessibility:
- Trombone Champ (6 Visual Features)
- Rhythm Doctor (5 Visual Features)
- Spin Rhythm XD (5 Visual Features)
Audio
We've documented 3 accessibility features for Audio in Bits & Bops which deal with how you can adjust the audio of the game and whether audio cues compensate for aspects of the game that are hard to see.
Adjustable Audio
Balance Audio Levels: Set music and game sound effects separately. This enables you to select your preference as well as ensure critical game sounds aren't obscured by other audio.
Audio Events
Visual Cues for Audio Events: Text or other visual indicators of audio events. This mirrors audio indicators of progress in the game with a corresponding visual indication.
Play Without Hearing
Play Without Hearing: No audio cues are necessary to play the game well.
System Accessibility Settings
In addition to the accessibility features provided in the game, you can also use system-wide accessibility settings:
Nintendo Switch
Nintendo Switch has some built-in features, including a lockable zoom, that can be used on all games.
PC
Windows has extensive accessibility features. Some, like colour correction, work with games. Lots of accessibility software can be used with PC games, from voice recognition to input device emulators.
PlayStation 5
PlayStation 5 has a range of system-wide accessibility settings.
Xbox Series X|S
Xbox One has a system features, the excellent co-pilot share controls mode and adaptive controller support for all games.
Read more about system accessibility settings.
Accessibility Report supported by VSC Rating Board, PlayabilityInitiative and accessibility contributors Ben Kendall
