Dance Dance Revolution: SuperNOVA

What’s the Story?

The concept behind DANCE DANCE REVOLUTION SUPERNOVA (DDR) is simple: the game uses a dance pad controller (if you're new to the series, find one that comes with a pad or buy a dance pad controller separately) instead of a gamepad (though you can use a gamepad if necessary) to simulate dancing. Licensed popular dance tracks fill your speakers, and a series of arrows slide relentlessly up the screen toward a bar at the top. Players must hop around to press each arrow with their foot as its corresponding onscreen arrow passes over the bar. They are scored based on timing, rhythm, and number of correct combinations.

Is It Any Good?

SuperNOVA is bigger than all previous titles in the series: It features over 2,000 dance steps and fan-favorite tunes from past versions of the game, as well as newly licensed songs. A new graphics engine offers a slicker look and better-looking characters, and each character now has their own dance moves. Dance Dance veterans will enjoy the new space-themed "Stellar Master Mode," with a string of dances and challenges to complete as you hoof and hop your way across the universe.

Players can edit dance steps to make their own routines; if their PlayStation 2 consoles are on broadband, they can compete against other players online. (Common Sense Media does not recommend having children under age 12 compete online.) With DDR, kids and parents can play games together. SuperNOVA is well worth the investment for die-hard fans of the game but players new to DDR might want to consider getting an older and cheaper version first.