Tapper (video game)

Tapper
Developer(s)Marvin Glass and Associates
Publisher(s)
Programmer(s)Steve Meyer
Elaine Ditton
Artist(s)Scott Morrison
Composer(s)Rick Hicaro
Platform(s)Arcade, Apple II, Atari 2600, Atari 8-bit, ColecoVision, Commodore 64, ZX Spectrum, MSX, Amstrad CPC, BBC Micro, IBM PC, Palm OS
Release
Genre(s)Action
Mode(s)1-2 players alternating turns
Arcade systemBally Midway MCR III

Tapper, also known as Root Beer Tapper, is an arcade video game developed by Marvin Glass and Associates and released in 1984 by Bally Midway.[3][5][6] Tapper puts the player in the shoes of a bartender who must serve eager, thirsty patrons (before their patience expires[7]) while collecting empty mugs and tips. It was distributed in Japan by Sega in 1984.

Originally sponsored by Anheuser-Busch, the arcade version features a Budweiser motif.[8] It was intended to be sold to bars, with cabinets sporting a brass rail footrest and drink holders. Early machines had game controllers that were actual Budweiser beer tap handles, which were later replaced by smaller, plastic versions with the Budweiser logo on them.[9] The re-themed Root Beer Tapper followed in 1984, which was developed specifically for arcades because the original version was construed as advertising alcohol to minors.

  1. ^ Akagi, Masumi (October 13, 2006). アーケードTVゲームリスト国内•海外編(1971–2005) [Arcade TV Game List: Domestic • Overseas Edition (1971–2005)] (in Japanese). Japan: Amusement News Agency. pp. 124–5. ISBN 978-4990251215.
  2. ^ a b "Tapper". Media Arts Database. Agency for Cultural Affairs. Retrieved 1 June 2021.
  3. ^ a b c "Manufacturers Equipment" (PDF). Cash Box. February 2, 1985. p. 42.
  4. ^ "Video Game Flyers: Root Beer Tapper, Bally-Midway (Germany)". The Arcade Flyer Archive. Retrieved 1 June 2021.
  5. ^ US patent 4643421, Steven M. Meyer, R. Scott Morrison, Howard J. Morrison, "Video game in which a host image repels ravenous images by serving filled vessels", issued 1987-02-17, assigned to Marvin Glass & Associates 
  6. ^ Mark J. Nelson (2015-08-04). "The 'Tapper' videogame patent". Retrieved 2015-08-11.
  7. ^ CLASSIC GAMES REVISITED - Tapper (Atari 2600) review at Univision [dead link]
  8. ^ Undertow, CGR. "ROOT BEER TAPPER for Arcade Video Game Review".
  9. ^ Rick Hicaro, former Marvin Glass & Associates employee; music composer/sound developer for Tapper