Common Sense Note
Parents should know there is nothing objectionable about this game, and it will even get kids off the couch and moving. Good for GameCube owners, but if your child is already a DDR aficionado, don't buy this title. It's for beginners and will be too easy for them.
Families who play this game might want to try different body movements while placing their feet on the controller. Parents might want to even join in. Challenge each other to be outrageous or funny. Who in the family can dance most like Usher?
Common Sense Review
Reviewed By: Jinny Gudmundsen
Mario, Nintendo's beloved character, is shaking his booty in the new DANCE DANCE REVOLUTION: MARIO MIX for the GameCube system. Nintendo partnered with Konami to create this first GameCube Dance Dance Revolution (DDR) title targeted at kids ages 7 to 12.
Just like in the original DDR, players use their feet to stomp on directional arrows on a dance pad that correspond to arrows that appear on the screen. Points are awarded for accuracy and number of correct combinations achieved. In this version, the dancing patterns are a lot easier than those found in traditional DDR games. Also, there's a storyline tying together the over 25 songs offered for dancing.
Kids become either Mario or his brother Luigi to go on a quest to save the Mushroom Kingdom. Someone has stolen the four Music Keys and it is up to players to get them back. The quest takes players to five different worlds.
In each world, kids must use the power of dance to overcome the obstacles. For example, they will have to defeat the evil Waluigi at a dance contest. The game also includes several mini-games that use the enclosed Mario dance pad. In one, kids run back and forth on the side arrows as fast as they can so that Mario can gain momentum to jump up a flagpole.
Playing through the story mode unlocks the other modes offered in the game. In the Free Mode, kids can have a dance off with a friend (extra dance mats are sold at Nintendo's online store at www.nintendo.com for $19.99) and each can choose their own level of difficulty.
Dance Dance Revolution: Mario Mix is a terrific way to introduce children to DDR. The graphics of Mario, Luigi, Bowser, and Waluigi dancing are so hilarious that they motivate kids to groove to the music.
Don't buy this for seasoned DDR players no matter how great their love of all things Mario -- this is an entry level title for kids.
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Social BehaviorGets kids up and moving. |
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CommercialismPart of the Mario franchise (and DDR franchise). |
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