Common Sense Media Review
By Marc Saltzman
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Updated game doesn't add much but still gets you moving.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 10+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Play
Videos and Photos
Just Dance 2015
What's It About?
As with the previous Just Dance games, Ubisoft's JUST DANCE 2015 is a rhythm game that challenges players to mimic the moves of on-screen dancers. Depending on the console you own -- Nintendo Wii and Wii U, Sony PlayStation 3 or 4, and Xbox 360 or Xbox One -- a camera or sensor just above or below the television monitors your performance and awards you a score based on how well you match the pros. Even more fun than dancing solo, players can have friends or family members join them to play with or against each other (or with others online). Just Dance 2015 features more than 40 songs, and gamers can download Ariana Grande's hit single "Break Free" for free right away (some additional songs cost money). The 2015 version of the game offers some additional modes, features, and improved graphics on the PS4 and Xbox One versions.
Is It Any Good?
There's a lot to like about this game, even though it's not much different from what came before. It encourages exercise and social play (up to six friends on the Xbox One version) and is one of the rare video games that's appealing to young girls. Music and dancing are fun, plain, and simple, and this game features all of today's top pop stars, including Grande, Iggy Azalea, Calvin Harris, Katy Perry, Maroon 5, and more (as well as some older "classic" tracks). Parents just need to be OK with some light sexual references and alcohol-related lyrics.
Ubisoft has added Dance VIP/Challenger to the 2015 game, a mode that lets you dance against saved high scores and performances from other players around the world. This mode adds more of a competitive angle, which is good, as it gives you a score to aim for rather than having you compete with your own high score for each track. Returning to the mix is a Karaoke mode, which lets kids sing while dancing at the same time. Those who've played previous games in the series won't find too much new here, but it's still packed with great songs, energy, and many modes. And, perhaps most importantly for parents, it encourages kids to get up and move.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the popularity of franchises such as Just Dance 2015. Ubisoft has sold more than 40 million of these games so far. Why do you think this dance series is so popular?
Talk about exercise in gaming. Do you like getting exercise by playing video games? What are your favorites?
Game Details
- Platforms : Nintendo Wii , Nintendo Wii U , PlayStation 3 , PlayStation 4 , Xbox 360 , Xbox One
- Subjects : Language & Reading : following directions , Science : motion , Arts : choreography , dance , music
- Skills : Thinking & Reasoning : applying information , memorization , Self-Direction : effort , work to achieve goals , Collaboration : meeting challenges together , Health & Fitness : exercise , gross motor skills , movement
- Pricing structure : Paid
- Available online? : Not available online
- Publisher : UbiSoft
- Release date : October 21, 2014
- Genre : Music & Dance
- Topics : Arts ( Music and Sing-Along )
- ESRB rating :
- Last updated : October 1, 2025
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