Dance Dance Revolution suggestions

[substantial_snake]

So I'm thinking of picking up a home version of Dance Dance Revolution for two reasons. The last time I played at a buds house it was a lot of fun and I want something to get me off my ass more often. However I have no idea what versions or console is the best version to pick up for a beginner so I am looking for some advice of which one to pick up.

I have PS3, Wii, and PS2 and am open to one for any platform so anyone have any suggestions?

[SpaceHarrier]

I'd say go for the PS2 games. There are a ton of them and plenty of available mats, both Konami brand and 3rd party.

All available on PS2:
DDR Max -- Older game, harder default difficulty per 'foot' rating
DDR Max 2
DDR Extreme -- Added optional eye toy support, I've still never tried it!
DDR Extreme 2
DDR Supernova
DDR Supernova 2
DDR X
DDR X2 -- This is where the series starts to get over-run with american Top 40

Max 2, Extreme 1 and Supernova 2 are my favorites. Also 'In the Groove' which is exactly the same kind of game and uses the same mat, also on PS2. Of course my favorites are based on how many songs I like -- and your mileage may vary. Check youtube for 'full song list' for each of the games if you have don't want to be surprised or don't have quite the affection for eurodance and j-pop that I do. The newer DDRs have alot more licensed US songs.

[old_skoolin_jim]

I'd say go for the PS2 games. There are a ton of them and plenty of available mats, both Konami brand and 3rd party.

All available on PS2:
DDR Max -- Older game, harder default difficulty per 'foot' rating
DDR Max 2
DDR Extreme -- Added optional eye toy support, I've still never tried it!
DDR Extreme 2



These were the ones I owned, and my interest in the series kinda tapered off after that. IMO, My preferred order was:
Extreme 2
Max 2
Max
Extreme

In all honesty, I loved the top 3 pretty close to equally, and Extreme 1, while still great fun, just didn't quite have the same "feel" to it that the others all did. At any rate, you'll have fun. :)
If you come across an Xbox 1, I also strongly recommend Ultramix 2 (moreso if the system has any of the DLC) - Tons of great songs.

[skaar]

4th Mix was the best of the bunch IMO - PS2 will allow you to play all the PS1 versions as well, and your dance mat will work on both systems.

We ended up building custom pads and adapters for Xbox and used StepmaniaX to get all the songs on one system... depends how into it you get ;)

[Kitsune Sniper]

4th Mix was the best of the bunch IMO

Hell yeah. 4th Mix Plus and 5th Mix were MY mixes back when I still played in arcades.

[skaar]

Hell yeah. 4th Mix Plus and 5th Mix were MY mixes back when I still played in arcades.

Same on both counts. Was sad Petit Love never made the home version.

.59/Music were my favourite "relaxing" heavy songs.

[Genjackson]

I prefer the original xbox games. Ultramix 2 was great. I have the ps2 games, they're fun, but I have problems with the pads on the PS2.

[InsaneDavid]

4th Mix was the best of the bunch IMO - PS2 will allow you to play all the PS1 versions as well, and your dance mat will work on both systems.

Right on, older DDR is where it's at. Although 3rd Mix is my favorite you really can't go wrong with the PS1 era DDR games. Funny, Hysteria is my favorite song in the series and it first appeared in 4th Mix if I remember correctly. LOL

Chipped PS1's without a stealth chip will require you to rip, patch, and reburn your DDR games or they won't load. So go stealth mod, JPN PS1 / PS2, or patch and burn yourself.

I've been kicking myself somewhat for passing up a Cobalt Flux DDR platform at the electronics flea market last week for $125 but I'm always weary when a seller has something like that and absolutely nothing else related unless it's dirt cheap. While that's a good price for a nice, taken care of, working platform - I just couldn't bring myself to pull the trigger.

[skaar]

3rd Mix had one of the best soundtracks but I didn't like a lot of the footing on heavy... didn't flow nearly as nice as 4th.

Back in the AMV days (my AMV days) I was a big fan of the Nonstop Megamix AMVs they were putting out - 3rd was the first and my favourite of the bunch.

http://www.animemusicvideos.org/members/members_videoinfo.php?v=87847

[substantial_snake]

Max 2, Extreme 1 and Supernova 2 are my favorites. Also 'In the Groove' which is exactly the same kind of game and uses the same mat, also on PS2. Of course my favorites are based on how many songs I like -- and your mileage may vary. Check youtube for 'full song list' for each of the games if you have don't want to be surprised or don't have quite the affection for eurodance and j-pop that I do. The newer DDRs have alot more licensed US songs.

When I think of DDR I think of Super Eurobeat compilations (damn you Initial D :p) so that's very good to know.

I ended up picking up the PS3 version for now. Its cheap on amazon now at 20.00 bucks with shipping for a new copy with a dance mat. I'm not a huge fan of the song list but that's partially balanced out by a substantial number of DLC packs and move support. If I get into it more and this dosent end up as just another passing thing I'll definitely take a look at the others many have listed here.

[Orion Pimpdaddy]

I posted a nearly identical thread not too long ago and got some advice:

http://www.digitpress.com/forum/showthread.php?159185-Dance-Dance-Revolution-advice

If anyone wants to combine the threads, go ahead.

[substantial_snake]

So Update.

I got my game and am loving it so far and am having much more fun then I thought I would at this point. I was a bit afraid that the dance mat it came with wouldn't be any good but its responsive and needs only minor adjustments on carpet every few songs. As I thought I was not a fan of the song list with the vast majority of it catering heavily to american radio music...but I picked up both the SuperNova packs and am enjoying it just fine.

[skaar]

If you are playing on carpet make sure it's not deep/shag carpet with too much give. It'll wreck the mat quicker.

Hardwood or low pile carpet is best.

[substantial_snake]

If you are playing on carpet make sure it's not deep/shag carpet with too much give. It'll wreck the mat quicker.

Hardwood or low pile carpet is best.

Noted, I have fairly hard carpet but might pick up some cheap plywood or something just to be safe.

Anyone here tried http://www.stepmania.com/ ?

I'll probably load it tonight but looks really awesome, all the fun of DDR but with PC modding capabilities.

[skaar]

Stepmania is awesomesauce.

[InsaneDavid]

Anyone here tried http://www.stepmania.com/ ?

I'll probably load it tonight but looks really awesome, all the fun of DDR but with PC modding capabilities.

I love the tendercrisp bacon cheddar ranch...

[-dustburn-]

I'm a huge fan of Pump it Up: 2Exceed. I like it better than DDR, imo. You might want to check it out. PS2 and Xbox.

[Malon_Forever]

DDR Max (the purple one) is the best one IMO. Extreme is also really awesome. Playing on Light and hard songs on Standard will get you improving.

[cityside75]

If you're not afraid to venture into a Goodwill you might find formerly expensive, top line dance mats marked for $1.99. I seem to see TONS of DDR stuff in Goodwill lately, all languishing unsold at rock bottom prices. This includes a few expensive looking hard-bottomed mats. If I had the space (and if I didn't already have 3-4 pads), I'd have been all over some of the deals I've seen lately.

[Retrocade Fantasia]

Noted, I have fairly hard carpet but might pick up some cheap plywood or something just to be safe.

Anyone here tried http://www.stepmania.com/ ?

I'll probably load it tonight but looks really awesome, all the fun of DDR but with PC modding capabilities.

That's probably your best bet too.

[norkusa]

The best mixes are on the Japanese PS2. Extreme is the best console release period. The US version sucks horribly though, which is actually just DDR Festival with a tweaked songlist. Extra Mix for PS1 is great too and is basically the home version of 4th Mix Plus, which is considered to be the best arcade version of DDR.

If you don't feel like importing or using Free McBoot, then Extreme 2 is the best domestic release. A lot of people like SuperNOVA 2....it has a great songlist but I could never get the game in sync with my tv, so I don't play it much.

DDR 2 for Wii is actually pretty good too and has one of the best songlists in years. Only problem is that there's no option to turn off corners, so if you're using anything other than the official Wii pad, you're screwed.

In The Groove is my all-time fav though. But I can only play 1 & 2 so much before the songs start to get stale.