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-'''''Bop It''''' toys are a line of [[audio game]]s based on concepts originally patented by Dan Klitsner.<ref name=bopitpat>{{cite patent|US|6086478}}</ref><ref name=bopitextremepat>{{cite patent|US|6210278}}</ref> ''Bop It'' was licensed to Hasbro<ref name=bopitinst>''[http://www.hasbro.com/common/instruct/BopIt.PDF Bop It!]'' [Rules & Instructions]. [[Hasbro]] 1997.</ref><ref>[[Philip Orbanes|Orbanes, Philip]]. ''[http://books.google.com/books?&id=A9IxOrv-R4QC&pg=PR9&ots=inHAdXFNlg&sig=ciy77SZQkGDASf-VcIQU_wbvlPY The Game Makers: The Story of Parker Brothers From Tiddledy Winks to Trivial Pursuit]''. [[Harvard Business School Press]]. p.iv. 2004.</ref>, and further developed there by a number of designers including Bob Welch.<ref name=bopitpat/> ''Bop It'' games test a player's mental skill by inducing the player to follow directions at a faster and faster pace. Gameplay consists of the player following a series of commands issued by the toy through speakers. The toys have multiple inputs including pull-handles, twistable cranks, spinnable wheels, toggle-switches, and all versions feature a centrally-located large round button that may be depressed to start the game. The games have been identified as some of the more popular children's games on the market<ref name=szymanski>Szymanski, Marianne. "[http://www.emarketing.net.cn/upload/file/2009/01/15/111231989742315.pdf The Use of Focus Groups in Toy Testing]", ''Advertising & Marketing to Children''. Vol.1. No.2. Winthrop Publications. p.162. 25 May 1999.</ref>, and toy and game development researchers have pointed to the natural interactions between player and toy<ref>{{cite conference|first = Amalia|last = De Götzen|coauthors = Serafin, Stefania|date = July 11-13, 2007|title = Prolegomena to Sonic Toys|pages = 174|conference = Proceedings SMC'07, 4th Sound and Music Computing Conference|conferenceurl = http://smc07.uoa.gr|location = [[Lefkada]], [[Greece]]|url = http://smc07.uoa.gr/SMC07%20Proceedings/SMC07%20Paper%2027.pdf|format = [[PDF]]|accessdate = 2009-06-23}}</ref>, and the ability of players to use the toy to revert [[computer game|computer gaming]] processes back into those that resemble [[freeplay|non-mediated]] [[Toy#Physical activity|object play]].<ref>{{cite paper|first = Tony|last = Tulathimutte|authorlink = Tony Tulathimutte|title = ''Controller Mediation in Human-Computer Play''|publisher = [[Stanford University]]|page = 91|date = 2004|url = http://www.gamasutra.com/education/theses/20051111/thulatimutte_thesis.doc|format = [[DOC (computing)|DOC]]|accessdate = 2009-06-24}}</ref> Other studies have shown that it is the ''Bop It'''s ability to perform in such a way as to mimic engagement in social behavior that has led to the toys' commercial successes.<ref name=szymanski/>
-==Models==
-===Original ''Bop It''===
-[[Image:Bop it.jpg|thumb|right|The original ''Bop It'']]
-In 1996, the instructions to a handheld voice game called the ''Bop It'' were copyrighted.<ref name=bopitinst2>''[http://www.geocities.com/ranma_bloke/images/bopit_instructions.gif Bop It!]'' [Rules & Instructions]. [[Parker Bros.]] 1996.</ref> This game was the first of what was later to become a series of ''Bop It'' games relying on the same set of basic patents. The original game, called simply ''Bop It'', features three inputs — The "Bop it!" (a depressable button), the "Twist it!" (a twistable lever) and the "Pull it!" (a pullable handle)<ref>[[Philip Orbanes|Orbanes, Philip]]. ''[http://books.google.com/books?&id=A9IxOrv-R4QC&pg=PR9&ots=inHAdXFNlg&sig=ciy77SZQkGDASf-VcIQU_wbvlPY The Game Makers: The Story of Parker Brothers From Tiddledy Winks to Trivial Pursuit]''. [[Harvard Business School Press]]. p.210. 2004.</ref> — and three game modes: Solo Bop, Vox Bop and Beat Bop. Gameplay is predicated upon a player's efforts to match the commands issued by the ''Bop It'' in a timely manner by performing the task that is commanded. Thus if the ''Bop It'' is to call out "Bop It!" then the player must quickly depress the "Bop It!" button, if the ''Bop It'' is to call out "Twist it!" then the player must quickly turn the "Twist it!" crank, and if the ''Bop It'' is to call out "Pull it!" then the player must quickly pull the "Pull It!" knob.<ref name=bopitpat/><ref name=bopitinst/> Players' scores are announced at the end of gameplay with a [[substitution cipher|cypher]] in which different tones represent different point values and the maximum possible score is 100.<ref name=bopitinst/> This style of score-reporting would later recur in the ''Bop It Extreme'' model, and the ''Zing It'' spin off<ref name=zingit>''[http://www.hasbro.com/common/instruct/ZingIt.PDF Zing It Instructions]''. [[Hasbro]]. 1999.</ref><ref name=bopextinst1>''[http://www.hasbro.com/common/instruct/BopItExtreme.PDF BopIt Extreme Rules]'' [& Instructions]. p1. [[Hasbro]]. 1998.</ref><ref name=bopextinst2>''[http://www.hasbro.com/common/instruct/BopItExtreme.PDF BopIt Extreme Rules]'' [& Instructions]. p2. [[Hasbro]]. 1998.</ref> (''see below'').
-====Re-release Version====
-In July 2000, the first patent for the ''Bop It'' was issued.<ref name=bopitpat/> This patent covers all subsequent ''Bop It'' models, and was cited in the instructions for the re-release of the original ''Bop It'' (instructions copyrighted in 2000). This new version of the original toy increased its maximum score to 200.<ref name=bopit2000inst>''[http://www.hasbro.com/common/instruct/Bop_It_(2000).pdf Bop It!]'' [Rules & Instructions]. [[Hasbro]] 2000.</ref>
-===''Bop It Extreme''===
-[[Image:Bop it Extreme.jpg|thumb|left|The ''Bop It Extreme'']]
-In 1998, Hasbro copyrighted its instructions for the ''Bop It Extreme,'' describing the underlying patents as "[[patent pending|pending]]." This game included the additional commands "Flick it!" and "Spin it!" along with the original three from ''Bop It''. The maximum score was 250, and the game featured 4 games modes (Vox Bop, Beat Bop, Vox Bop Solo and Beat Bop Solo).<ref name=bopextinst1/><ref name=bopextinst2/>
-In 2003, this model was one of the top games in the market.<ref>http://www.toyretailersassociation.co.uk/toty/toty2k3.htm</ref>
-===''Bop It Extreme 2''===
-[[Image:Bop-It Extreme 2 (Green Side).jpg|right|thumb|The ''Bop It Extreme 2'']]
-Partially reliant on the original ''Bop It'''s 2000 patent, the ''Bop It Extreme 2'' also relied on the newly issued 2001 patent describing the layout changes that had been adopted for use in the ''Bop It Extreme''.<ref name=bopitextremepat/> With its instructions copyrighted in 2002, the layout of Hasbro's ''Bop It Extreme 2'' was shown to be altered from that of the ''Bop It Extreme''. The shapes of several inputs were also altered. Volume controls were added, and the method of score reporting was changed to using plain English. In addition to the four modes featured in ''Bop It Extreme'', a "One on One" mode was added. <ref>''[http://www.hasbro.com/common/instruct/Bop_It_Extreme_2.pdf BopIt Extreme 2]''. [[Hasbro]]. 2002.</ref> ''Bop It Extreme 2'' was awarded "Electronic Game of the Year 2005" in the UK.<ref>http://www.toyretailersassociation.co.uk/toty/toty2k5.htm</ref>
-''Bop It Extreme 2'' was made in black, white and pink variants.
-===''Bratz Bop It''===
-As described in its instruction manual (copyright 2004), Hasbro's  [[Bratz]]-themed ''Bop It'' game uses a layout like that of the earlier (3-input) ''Bop It'' format. The maximum score in ''Bratz Bop It'' was increased to 200 points.<ref>''[http://www.hasbro.com/common/instruct/Bop_it_Bratz.pdf Bratz Bop It Instructions]''. [[Hasbro]]. 2004.</ref>
-===''Bop It Blast''===
-In 2005 Hasbro copyrighted the instructions to the ''Bop It Blast'', describing it as covered under the original (3-input) ''Bop It'' patent and referencing other patents that were pending. This newest member of the series again increased the maximum score to a total of 500, and for the first time allowed different high scores for different modes rather than having one high score for all modes collectively. Minor vocal additions were implemented such as the announcement of the player's score at notable landmarks (each 100 points scored). In addition to the five modes featured in ''Bop It Extreme 2'', a "Light Bop" mode was added. The use of a cypher to report score was again adopted as in the two original ''Bop It'' models.<ref>''[http://www.hasbro.com/common/instruct/Bop_It_Blast.pdf Bop It Blast Game Instructions]''. [[Hasbro]]. 2005.</ref>
-=== ''Bop It Download'' ===
-In 2007, Hasbro copyrighted the instructions to the ''Bop It Download'' describing it as covered under the Extreme. This model had a maximum high score of 1000 and 15 difficulty levels. It includes the ability to download beats, sounds, other voices (such as a [[country bumpkin]], and a [[pirate]]) and the ability to record your own voice.
-===''Bop It!''===
-This version of Bop It has the three main things (Bop it, pull it, and twist it) and adds a new edition called "shout it", where you shout into a microphone. This version also includes special difficulty levels. Novice level is the regular Bop It, except when you score 100 you unlock expert level which introduces sounds such as the likes of Beat Bop mode in earlier versions, except it still includes the regular commands. The next level is master level, which introduces colors. The modes include "Pass It", which is simply multiplayer Bop It, and Party mode, which is just like Pass It mode except it adds things such as "Belly" where the player has to slam the toy against their belly.
-==Game modes==
-{{Cleanup-section|date=April 2009}}
-===Voice Commands (Vox Bop)===
-"Vox Bop" is the primary game mode for the Bop It toy.  A voice recording in the game machine calls out the commands randomly with a musical beat that increases in speed as the game progresses. The game ends when a player makes a mistake or reaches the highest score in solo.<ref name=bopitinst/>
-===Beat Bop===
-The Beat Bop mode follows a similar format as the Vox Bop mode (above) and the rules are roughly equivalent. The difference in Beat Bop mode is that the game uses sounds as commands instead of words. Thus:
-* "Bop It!" becomes the sound of a bass drum.
-* "Spin It!" becomes the sound of a wobbling wheel.
-* "Flick It!" becomes a "Boing!" sound.
-* "Pull It!" becomes the sound of a slide-whistle.
-* "Twist It!" becomes a cranking sound.<ref name=bopitinst/><ref name=bopextinst1/><ref name=bopextinst2/>
-===One on One mode===
-The One on One mode in ''Bop It Extreme 2'' allows for simultaneous multi-player gameplay. Here, two players hold the toy on either side. When they hear the command to "Bop it!" (or the bass drum sound on Beat Bop mode), one the players must bop their colour to score a point. if both players hit their colored central button on one on one mode in Bop It Extreme 2, the toy says "draw," and neither player scores a point. this game was also included on the Bop It Blast and Download models.
-==Sister products==
-The popularity of the ''Bop It'' line encouraged Hasbro to release a number of sister products.
-===Zing It===
-{{Main|Zing It}}
-The ''[[Zing It]]'' is a [[yo-yo]]-style [[audio game]] that, like the ''Bop It'', issues commands with which the player must comply. Like the original ''Bop It'' three commands that may be issued: "Bop it!" (requiring the player to press the depressable purple button), "Zing it!" (requiring the player to throw the yo-yo downward and jerk it back up to the hand again), and "Loop it!" (requiring the player to perform the "'round the world" [[yo-yo trick]]). The ''Zing It'' features three modes: "Vox Bop" (as with ''Bop It'' products), "Beat Bop" (as with ''Bop It'' products), and "Vox Bop Challenge" (where the game will test mental [[pelmanism]] by issuing rapid strings of commands which must be subsequently performed in the correct order). As with ''Bop It'' and ''Bop It Extreme'', ''Zing It'' announces the score by musical cypher. There is a maximum score of 250 points.<ref name=zingit/>
-===Top It===
-{{Main|Top It}}
-The ''[[Top It]]'' is a [[kendama]]-style [[audio game]] developed by [[Parker Bros.]] (under [[Hasbro]]) that also issues commands which a player must respond to with the appropriate action. Commands include "Top it!" (requiring the player to catch the ball in the red top cup), "Flop it!" (requiring the player to catch the ball in one of the purple side cups), and "Flip it!" (requiring the player to catch the ball in the purple side cup on the other side). The command structure has slightly fewer variations than any other Hasbro game, since the "Flip it!" command can only be issued if the "Flop it!" command directly precedes it.<ref>''[http://www.hasbro.com/common/instruct/TOPIT.pdf Top It]'' Rules. [[Hasbro]]. 1999.</ref>
-===Groove It===
-The ''[[Groove It]]'' is an audio game made by Hasbro whose instructions have been copyrighted in 2003. With similar gameplay to the ''Bop It'' games, ''Groove It'' employs [[photodetector|photodetection]] technology to determine the player's hand position. As with ''Bop It'' games, the ''Groove It'' issues voice commands, however in this case the commands are: "the scratch," "the slide," and "the zoom." The maximum score is 300 and the game employs a ranking system.<ref name=grooveitins>''[http://www.hasbro.com/common/instruct/Grove_It.pdf Groove It]'' Play Guide. [[Hasbro]]. 2003.</ref>
-==Popular culture==
-* ''Bop It'' was parodied on a 2004 [[Saturday Night Live|SNL]] ''[[Weekend Update]]'', as "Bump It", a seemingly sentient and sexually suggestive toy which asked [[Amy Poehler]] to "[[Masturbation|Pull it]]" numerous times.
-*''Bop It'' appeared in the TV series ''[[Gilmore Girls]]'', where it was referred to by Lorelai and Rory, and used in the episode "We Got Us a Pippi Virgin" ([[List of Gilmore Girls episodes#Season 5: 2004-2005|Season 5, Episode 5]]) by Luke opposing Dean. Lorelai later explains that ''Bop It'' is what they bring out in social situations that "need mouth to mouth" resuscitation.
-*''Bop It'' appeared on the ''[[Ellen Degeneres Show]]'' in 2009, where an enlarged version of the classic game was used on stage.  Contestants would have to do the traditional Bop It tasks, but as an added challenge, Stomp It and Chomp it were created.  Stomp it consisted of a contestant stomping grapes.  Chomp it is where a contestant took bites out of some food item such as a watermelon or frosted cake.  Two contestants typically compete against each other in order to win a prize for themselves, the audience or charity.  <ref>http://ellen.warnerbros.com/2009/10/alison-sweeney-twitter-folllower-1013.php</ref>
-*Bop It was parodied as Bonk It on [[The Simpsons]] episode ''[[Rednecks and Broomsticks]]''
-==See also==
-* [[Zing It]]
-* [[Top It]]
-==References==
-{{reflist}}
-==External links==
-* [http://www.playbopit.com/ Bop It Official Website]
-* [http://www.hasbro.com/bopit/ Hasbro's Bop It Products]
-* [http://www.takeitapart.net/archives/bop-it/ Bop-It Disassembled]
-[[Category:Audio games]]
-[[Category:Games of physical skill]]
-[[Category:Handheld electronic games]]
-[[Category:Toys of the 1990s]]
-[[Category:Toys of the 2000s]]
-[[simple:Bop It]]