DanceDanceRevolution

Name: DanceDanceRevolution
Item: DanceDanceRevolution
Rating: 4
Author: Mark Raby

Game review by

Mark Raby, Common Sense Media

Common Sense says

age 7+

(i)

Dancing to energetic songs makes active gaming fun.

Nintendo Wii
$69.99
2010

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A lot or a little?

The parents' guide to what's in this game.

Positive Messages

The DanceDanceRevolution series has a long history of providing players with a fun, energetic gaming experience that actually gets them up off the couch to move around. In Workout Mode, players can keep track of the number of calories they're burning. The game contains some of today's hottest hits and makes working out to them fun.

Positive Role Models & Representations

Players choose a cartoon characters to dance along on-screen with them. These characters are upbeat and energetic and help encourage the player to keep moving and exerting themselves throughout the entire song. In addition, there is a voice-over announcer in the game who says encouraging phrases if the player is doing well.

Ease of Play

The game involves the use of a special dance pad controller, which players control with their feet. As arrows appear on the screen, players step onto the corresponding arrows on the dance pad. In addition, players may occasionally also have to swing their arms with the Wii Remote to match similar on-screen commands. There are varying difficulty levels for players to choose from, making it easy for novice players to get used to the game; while also providing a challenging experience for more experienced players.

Violence & Scariness

Language

One of the dozens of songs in the game is Jason Mraz's "I'm Yours," which contains the word "damn" in its lyrics. The lyrics are not presented on the screen.

Consumerism

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that DanceDanceRevolution is part of a well-established dance video game franchise. It is one of the first "exergaming" series in the gaming industry, and has come to be known as one of the most popular ways to stay active while playing a game. This game contains songs from some of the most popular artists including Lady Antebellum, Jason Mraz, and Paramore. The songs are generally unobtrusive, energetic, and appropriate for players of any age, save an occasional bad word. Those who may not have enough space or time to play with the dance pad can still test their reflexes using a standard Wii Remote controller instead, but the game is more appropriately designed for players who want to get up off the couch and burn calories while dancing.

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What's it about?

DANCEDANCEREVOLUTION is the latest in the long-running dancing game series. This one is refreshed with some of the latest and greatest pop hits, allowing players to dance along to their favorite songs. The game also adds a new Choreograph mode, which makes the experience more interactive as players watch their moves matched by a dance on the screen. Standard DDR modes are also in the game, including Workout Mode, which literally counts the calories as players match the energetic dance moves. Because of the Wii Remote controls, the game is a full-body experience as players move their feet and arms in tandem to bouts of short 2-minute and 3-minute tunes.

Is it any good?

DanceDanceRevolution, like the many previous iterations in the series, earns praise for its accessibility and its ability to get players up and moving. Unlike many of today's modern exercise games, the DDR franchise actually makes the process of getting active and exercising a fun one. Players don't have to follow confusing workout commands or keeping track of calorie journals. They simply choose a song, start dancing, and the calories burn off naturally. This version incorporates a whole slate of songs never before seen in previous titles, allowing those who have played other DDR games to have a fresh, different experience with this one. The DDR series of games has a long track record for excellence, and this one fits into that legacy just fine.

Talk to your kids about ...

Families can talk about the use of video games as part of an active life. How can video games help keep you active and fit?
What other fun activities can you do that provide exercise?
What is your favorite type of music?