Bit.Trip Runner, the last entry in the Gaijin Games’ Bit.Trip series, is headed to WiiWare on May 17th courtesy of publisher Aksys Games. The rhythm-based 2D platformer puts gamers in control of Commander Video as he jumps, kicks, slides, and shields himself from the dangers that lurk on the surface of a foreign planet. The goal? Keep the beat flowing and Commander Video running.

Bit.Trip Runner has over 50 special bonus stages that are homages to retro console classics, a simple control scheme, and a soundtrack provided by Anamaguchi, one of the premiere chiptunes bands.

I had a chance to check out Bit.Trip Runner at PAx East 2010. Although I couldn’t get hands-on time with game, I was intrigued in that it looked like a Sonic the Hedgehog game released on the Atari 2600; it’s all about speeding through a charming, simplistic world filled with retro visuals.  Can you spot all of the old school shout outs in the clip?