The Fun Factor 04.02.07: Dance Dance Revolution
Posted by Cory Moore on 04.02.2007
Dance Dance Revolution is the one game that encourages you to step, hop, dance your way to victory. Ten years after its initial release, the series is as strong as ever!
I'm going to tell you something right now that isn't groundbreaking, isn't going to make you drop your jaw in awe or even make you spit out your drink.
There are some things in an arcade that you simply can't get from a home console.
There, I said it. You probably didn't even shrug when you read it. But in my opinion, that statement holds a lot of ground.
Sure, today's home consoles can port games with ease. A thousand versions of Pac-Man can be thrown on a disc and still be sold for $20. Donkey Kong can be played with one of those fancy arcade joysticks you can buy for your Xbox 360's fighting games. Heck, I even have the 4-player Turtles in Time on my computer.
That's all fine and dandy, but some games just can't be emulated properly. MTV's Beat Mania is a good example. A huge drum set that lets you bang along to your favorite song is not console friendly. Silent Scope's huge sniper rifle would probably be banned in stores because it ‘teaches' kids how to kill people with STEALTH! I could see the ESRB going bananas on that one. Then you have one of my favorite arcade games of all time, Hydro Thunder, with its throttle controls and its subwoofer power that makes you feel like you're actually piloting a speedboat. The version on Midway Arcade Classics 3 emulates the speed fine, but the same impact isn't quite there.
Then, of course, we have Dance Dance Revolution…Need I say more?
Well, if you insist…
Dance Dance Revolution
Arcade
1998
The Controlled Substance
In Dance Dance Revolution, you are positioned on the middle of a dance pad that includes four arrows pointing in every direction: left, down, up and right. As a selected song starts, the goal is to step in the direction that corresponds with an on-screen guide on the monitor in front of you. By successfully completing the steps on time, you fill up a ‘Dance Gauge,' which acts as a life bar. As you miss steps, the same bar drains, which can lead to a game over. If you successfully complete the song, you are given a few more songs to take your chance with.
DDR incorporates a lot of physically challenging tactics in its gameplay. First, you must have a good sense of rhythm and beat. Recognizing these aspects helps you anticipate the frequency of the song's demands. Timing, balance, and positioning are all key to success in the game because of its fast pace. If it sounds difficult, that's because it can be. But it's still a blast to play.
The Fun Factor
The first and most obvious attraction of Dance Dance Revolution is its unique style of gameplay. There is no other video game that requires this much physical exertion. And no, the Wii isn't even close. You would think a game with so much action would be a turn off to some people, but it rarely is. I've seen people fat, skinny, tall and short having a blast with DDR. Sure, the success rate varies from person to person, but it's a game that everyone can have fun with for at least a few minutes.
The second appealing factor of Dance Dance Revolution is its wacky soundtrack. After all, what's a rhythm game if the music sucks? Now, let's get something straight: this music can challenge a guy's masculinity. It's corny, strange and sometimes downright weird. That's probably why you don't see a lot of hardcore rockers playing this game. But if you're open-minded, some of the songs are really catchy. The dancing aspect is supposed to be fun, and most of the time the music adds to the crazy experience. I dare you to download "Cartoon Heroes" or "Captain Jack." After a few listens, see if you're not singing along with them.
Dance Dance Revolution is also one of the few games you can have fun with even when you're not playing it. Most of the time, you have newbies going at it, trying to test their skills against the easiest difficulty. That's fine and dandy, but not quite what I'm talking about. Since DDR requires God-given talent along with trained skill, there are people who have really mastered the art well. Sometimes, DDR looks more like a theatre production than a video game. You know who I'm talking about: the guys on YouTube that can pull off crazy break-dance moves and hit the arrows with their hands while their feet are flailing in the air. Okay, that's an extreme case, but if you ever encounter such action, it's something extraordinary to watch. The unique aspect of DDR – hands down – is that it unleashes showmanship more than any video game that I can think of.
The 411
Dance Dance Revolution is one of the most unique games ever made. It was made for the open environment that is an arcade. DDR is inviting because it captures attention while playing AND observing it. This game doesn't just capture your attention; it bottles it up and makes you wonder where those 30 minutes just went.
Everyone brings something different to DDR, and that's part of the curiosity associated with the game. You can see a plump kid with the speed of a cheetah dominating against a tall and lanky athlete and then you'll say, "HUH?" That same intrigue is part of the reason DDR attracts good crowds around the nation almost a decade after its initial release.
Sure, arcades are few and far between nowadays. If you ever find one, though, there's bound to be a DDR machine inside. Someone is likely to be stomping away frantically, trying to beat that one elusive song. Before you know it, you've hopped on the machine and are burning calories by the minute.
A hint of advice, though: only bring your TRUE friends along. Others may sneak in a digital camera and tape your escapades to show to your girlfriend, or worse, post them on YouTube. And you don't want to deal with that type of ridicule, do you?
