Common Sense Media Review
By Mark Raby
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Dancing game has great music but lackluster controls.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 10+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Play
Videos and Photos
Dance on Broadway
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's It About?
DANCE ON BROADWAY lets players dance to some of the most classic and timeless songs that have appeared on Broadway stages over the past 50 years. Players select an avatar and then follow that avatar's dance moves -- with Wii Remote in hand -- to score as many points as possible. There are 20 songs to choose from, which is smaller than many music games but tightly focused on a single genre. The game encourages players to get up off the couch and move around to burn calories while listening to their favorite musical numbers and performing what can sometimes be an intense upper body workout. Up to four dancers can play simultaneously on the same screen.
Is It Any Good?
Despite a nice collection of Broadway tunes and a novel concept, Dance on Broadway does not deliver a strong performance. Although players are asked to follow the movements of their avatar dancer, they are scored based on whether or not they correctly perform a much more basic maneuver. This can be an issue in songs that are very energetic and fast, making it difficult to follow the dancers and match the required controller movements at the same time. In the end, players will either have to choose whether to follow the avatar's moves, which are more fun but will lead to a lower score, or the simplistic arrow commands at the bottom of the screen. We were also left unimpressed by the presentation. Those hoping for a visual treat similar to what one would see on a New York City stage will no doubt be disappointed with the game's nonsensical, uninteresting background graphics, which have nothing to do with the songs being performed. Dance on Broadway is noteworthy for the fact that it celebrates Broadway music -- something not many games can say -- but it is not a worthwhile gaming experience.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how to incorporate active video games into their children's regular routine. Can video games help create an active lifestyle? Can you think of other fun ways to stay active?
Discuss the messages typically found in Broadway showtunes. Are they different than those found in most pop/rock songs?
Game Details
- Platforms : Nintendo Wii , PlayStation 3
- Pricing structure :
- Available online? : Not available online
- Publisher : UbiSoft
- Release date : June 15, 2010
- Genre : Music & Dance
- ESRB rating :
- Last updated : November 11, 2020
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