Bop It toys are a line of audio games based on concepts originally patented by Dan Klitsner.^[3][4] Bop It was licensed to Hasbro ^[5][6] and further developed there by a number of designers including Bob Welch.^[3]

Bop It games test players' mental skills by inducing them follow directions at a faster and faster pace. Play consists of following a series of commands issued through speakers by the toy, which has multiple inputs including pull handles, twistable cranks, spinnable wheels, toggle switches, and all versions feature a centrally located large round button that may be pressed to start the game. With newer versions, additional inputs have been added or altered such that units like the 2010 Bop-It! Bounce shares no inputs in common with the original 1996 Bop It (see below).

Bop It has been identified as some of the more popular children's games on the market,^[7] and toy and game development researchers have pointed to the natural interactions between player and toy,^[8] and the ability of players to use the toy to revert computer gaming processes back into those that resemble non-mediated object play.^[9] Other studies have shown that it is the Bop It's ability to mimic engagement in social behavior that has led to its commercial successes.^[7]

In 1996, the instructions to a handheld voice game called Bop It were copyrighted.^[10] 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 — "Bop it!" (a depressible button), "Twist it!" (a twistable lever) and "Pull it!" (a pullable handle)^[11] — 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!", the player must quickly depress the "Bop It!" button. If the Bop It is to call out "Twist it!", the player must quickly turn the "Twist it!" crank. If the Bop It is to call out "Pull it!", the player must quickly pull the "Pull It!" knob.^[3][5] Players' scores are announced at the end of gameplay with a cypher in which different tones represent different point values and the maximum possible score is 100. Thus, in the end sequence, each "Pull It!" whistle denotes 100 points, each ratchet denotes 10, and each drum denotes 1 point.^[5] This style of score-reporting would later recur in later Bop It models, and the Zing It spin off^[12][13][14] (see below). The same cypher values were used for all subsequent Bop It cyphers. This device requires 3 LR6 batteries.^[10]

In 1998, Hasbro copyrighted its instructions for the Bop It Extreme, describing the underlying patents as "pending." This game included the additional commands "Flick it!" and "Spin it!" along with the original three from Bop It. The game featured 4 games modes (Vox Bop, Beat Bop, Vox Bop Solo and Beat Bop Solo), and the maximum score (reported via cypher) was increased to 250.^[13][14] As with the earlier Bop It model, special victory songs were unlockable. Thus, achieving a score of 100 or greater rewards the player with an additional victory song after the announcement of the score. On reaching 150 inputs, a different special victory celebration plays, and achievement of the maximum score would trigger a yet different special victory ending. This device requires 3 AA batteries.^[13]

In 2003, this model was one of the top games in the market.^[15]

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.^[4] 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.^[16] Bop It Extreme 2 was awarded "Electronic Game of the Year 2005" in the UK.^[17] This device requires 3 AA batteries.^[16]

Bop It Extreme 2 was made in black, white, and pink variants.

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 had the same scoring as the original Bop It re-release with a victory song playing after the score cypher for scores of over 100 points. Bratz Bop It requires 3 AAA batteries to operate.^[18]

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 game also had an optional female voice. The game can allow the player to select a male, a female or both voices calling the commands. The same victory song from the original bop it was used to report the 500 highest score. This device requires 3 AA batteries to operate.^[19]

In 2006^{[citation needed]}, Hasbro secured the copyright to a game called Bop It Download (also called Bop It Extreme Download^[20]). Software can be downloaded from http://www.playbopit.com which allows users to record their own voice, upload beats and sounds. Hasbro also made different accent voices. Bop It Download has a maximum score of 1000 and 15 difficulty levels.^[21] It includes the ability to download beats, and sounds.^[20] This device requires 3 AA batteries to operate.^{[citation needed]}

In 2008, Hasbro secured the copyrights to the instructions for the Bop It!.^[22] At the 2009 London Toy Fair, Hasbro demonstrated Bop It!.^[23] Bop It! has a new optional input, "Shout It," which requires a player to shout into the microphone.^[24] The Bop It! has three difficulty levels with "Novice" using only voice commands, "Expert" using a random mix of voice and sound commands, and "Master" calling out voice, sound, and color commands. If the player scores 100 points in either of the less difficult modes, the next most difficult mode is unlocked. Players that achieve a score of 100 points in "Master" mode are considered to have beaten the game.^[22] Hasbro also added a multiplayer game called "Party" where all the Bop It commands are replaced with body parts. Bop It! requires 3 AAA batteries to operate.^[22]

After securing the copyrights to the instructions in 2009^[25], Hasbro made announcements regarding the newest member of the Bop It game line, entitled Bop-It! Bounce, during the 2010 Hasbro Toy Fair. This toy features a ball and a small hand-held trampoline. There are six games that may be played on the Bop It! Bounce including three games that emphasize the speed or number of bounces and three games that emphasize the player's ability to control the height of the bounces.^[26]

• Max Bounce - Players compete to achieve the greatest number of bounces in 30 seconds.^[25]
• Infinite Bounce - Players compete to achieve the greatest number of bounces without a time limit.^[25]
• Hang Time - Players compete to bounce the ball the highest.^[25]
• Right Height - The player must listen to vocal cues from the Bop It! Bounce calling for higher bounces or lower bounces until the correct height is achieved when a chime sounds.^[25]
• Little-Middle-Big - As with Right Height the player must listen to vocal cues from the Bop It! Bounce calling for bounces of "big" height, "middle" height, or "little" height.^[25]
• Free Form - The toy produces different tones as the ball bounces to different heights.^[25]

In 2010, Hasbro manufactured the next Bop It game called Bop It XT. It was demonstrated at the UK Toy Fair in 2011 and it was released at the end of July 2011.^[27] This model is similar in appearance to Bop It Extreme however it also features the new "Shake It" command. The game has four difficulty levels and the same game modes as Bop It.^[27] As with Bop It Extreme 2, a headphone socket has been added to allow players to play using headphones or a loudspeaker.

In July 2000, the first patent for the Bop It was issued.^[3] 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.^[28] In addition to the score-report cypher, the 2000 model made use of a special victory song that would play after the score if the player achieved a score of 100 points or greater. The use of victory songs associated with in-game point-plateaus would recur in later model Bop Its such as Bop It Extreme and Bratz Bop It.^[13][18] This device requires 3 AAA batteries.

Mini versions of several Bop It models have also been released throughout the duration of the series to be used as keychain carabiners and pens. Mini versions have been released for Bop It 1996 and 2002^[29], Bop It Extreme, Bop It Extreme 2, and Bop It!"^[30]

These versions differed from the originals primarily in their size but also in other ways. The scoring of the Bop It Extreme pen had a maxmium score of 25, and the Original bop it keychain had a maximum score of 15. The pen had a maximum score of 200. The keychain version of Bop It Extreme 2, for instance, used Bop It Extreme sounds such as "Nice going!" and the high score melody. The use of a cypher was also added for scoring instead of using plain English.^{[citation needed]}

"Vox Bop" is a multiplayer game that serves as 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 player must match the series of commands exactly and then the game will call out "Pass It!" and the Bop It is passed to the player to the left. A player is "out" of the game if he makes a mistake or reaches the maximum score and receives a victory ending.^{[5][13][14][28][18]} This mode is also known as "Vox Bop Pass It" in Bop It Extreme 2.^[16]

"Vox Bop One on One" is available on Bop It Extreme 2, Bop It Blast,^{[citation needed]} Bop It Download,^{[citation needed]} and Bop It XT^{[citation needed]}. This multiplayer game two players each take hold of the Bop It with the yellow player holding the "Twist It!" crank and the "Pull It!" knob, and the green player holding the "Flick It!" lever and the "Spin It!" wheel. The unit calls out a series of commands and each player is responsible for only his assigned inputs. When the unit finally calls "Bop It!" both contestants must try to hit the "Bop It!" button on the side bearing their color first. The unit will announce which player was faster by which colored side of the button was depressed first. The winning player earns a point. If either player misses a call he is "out" of the game. The final winner is the player with the most points.^[16]

The "Beat Bop" mode follows a similar format as the "Vox Bop (with voice commands)" 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.^{[5][13][14][28][18]}
• "Shout It!" becomes a DJ scratching sound.^[22]

"Solo Bop" is the single-player mode for the Original Bop It. This game is substantially similar to "Vox Bop (with voice commands)," except the "Pass It!" command is never issued. Instead, when the player misses a command, the game ends and the score is reported.^[5][28][18] This mode is also known as "Vox Bop Solo" in Bop It Extreme^[13][14] and Bop It Extreme 2.^[16]

"Beat Bop Solo" is only available for Bop It Extreme and Bop It Extreme 2. This game is substantially similar to the "Beat Bop (with musical commands)" mode, except that the "Pass It!" command is never issued. Instead, when the player misses a command, the game ends and the score is reported.^[13][14][16]

The "Light Bop" mode is featured in Bop It Blast and Bop It Download. The player only responds when the light and the command match together.^[19]

The "Color Bop"^{[citation needed]} mode is featured in Bop It! and Bop It XT. It is combined with "Vox Bop" and "Beat Bop". It uses colors as commands It is featured in the Master Mode in Bop It! and Bop It XT.

• "Bop It" becomes the word "White" in Bop It!^[22] and "Black" in Bop It XT^{[citation needed]}
• "Twist It" becomes the word "Yellow"^[22]
• "Pull It" becomes the word "Blue"^[22]
• "Shout It" becomes the word "Green" in Bop It!^[22]
• "Flick It" becomes the word "Green" in Bop It XT^{[citation needed]}
• "Spin It" becomes the word "Orange"^{[citation needed]}
• "Shake It" becomes the word "Purple"^{[citation needed]}

In 2009, EA Games released Hasbro Family Game Night 2, a sequel to the earlier-released collection of Hasbro boardgames and toys, Hasbro Family Game Night. Hasbro Family Game Night 2 was released for the Nintendo Wii and the Nintendo DS and both versions featured Bop It as a playable simulation.^[31]

In 2011, EA Games released an app for the ipod Touch and the iPhone. This app features several game modes and the commands from the handheld game.^[32]

EA Games has also made Hasbro Family Games Night 4 which features Bop It as a playable simulation.^[33]

The popularity of the Bop It line encouraged Hasbro to release a number of sister products.

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 depressible 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. Like Bop It Extreme and Bop It Extreme 2, Zing It has a maximum score of 250 correct responses and it is announced by a horn, followed by crowd clapping..^[12]

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.^[34]

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 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 game is more tolerant of errors than the Bop It games, allowing as many as three missed commands in some modes. The game requires a score of 250 to win, has a maximum score of 300, and employs a ranking system.^[35]

• Bop It was parodied on a 2004 SNL Weekend Update, as "Bump It", a seemingly sentient and sexually suggestive toy which asked Amy Poehler to "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" (Season 5, Episode 5) as Lorelai explains that Bop It is what they bring out in social situations that "need mouth-to-mouth resuscitation", and with which Luke takes on Dean.
• 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.^[36]
• Bop It was parodied as Bonk It on The Simpsons episode Rednecks and Broomsticks.

• Zing It
• Top It
• Torx (game) - another Simon-Says-style electronic game by Hasbro

• Bop It Download Website
• Hasbro Bop It Official homepage
• Bop-It Disassembled