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 system | Bally 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. Tapper puts the player in the shoes of a bartender who must serve eager, thirsty patrons (before their patience expires) 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. 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. 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.