DDR, I just don't get it. [Archive] - Retrogaming Roundtable

Darth Sensei

09-26-2003, 12:48 PM

Chunky

09-26-2003, 12:54 PM

did you actually play it?

Arcade Antics

09-26-2003, 12:55 PM

Please help me understand. Why do you play this game?

Dave

I know this answer may sound sarcastic, but it isn't.

We play the game for the same reason we play every game: because it's fun. :)

Darth Sensei

09-26-2003, 12:58 PM

did you actually play it?

Alright, in all honesty, no. I didn't play it because it looks really stupid. I'm not trying to offend anyone, but I can't imagine dumping quarters into that thing.

It must be fun for some who play it, but why is it fun? What is fun about it?

Dave

Arcade Antics

09-26-2003, 01:06 PM

Alright, in all honesty, no. I didn't play it because it looks really stupid. I'm not trying to offend anyone, but I can't imagine dumping quarters into that thing.

It must be fun for some who play it, but why is it fun? What is fun about it?

Dave

Everything about it is fun, but "fun" is subjective. If you think it looks really stupid, I'd venture a guess that it won't fit your idea of fun. You saw people playing, there's really not much to it beyond that. To any individual, it's fun or it isn't. Though I would still suggest playing it first, you might be surprised by the actual experience. ;)

Anonymous

09-26-2003, 01:13 PM

Like any other skill based video game, the draw is getting better. Often when you first start playing, you'll do a song where you understand the arrows, but your feet just won't do what you want as fast as you want. So you've got to do the song again to "get that one part right". Then, when you get it right, you realize that all you did was tap your feet to the beat, something clicks, and you think you've got it. So you try another, harder song, and the same thing happens all over again.

If you play the game with anything other than total concentration on the screen and your feet, you're going to suck. Usually, people get all self conscious, thinking about the people watching them, then they suck, then they hate the game. This is not giving the game a fair chance. I would only reccommend playing this game in the arcade if you don't have a problem with people watching you or if the arcade is empty. Otherwise, buy one of the DDRMax/soft pad combos on the bay for 35 dollars. I guarantee you'll play it enough to not feel like you've wasted your money.

Kroogah

09-26-2003, 01:14 PM

I was at Marvin's arcade this weekend and people were dumping quarters into DDR (DDR Extreme I think) like crazy.

I watched them play this game and I just don't get it. I've read about it in these forums and I know several of you are really into it.

Please help me understand. Why do you play this game?

Dave

Pssh. Flamebait.

Because it's fun. Duh. I don't care if I look ridiculous to uptight people that wander by the arcade, because I'm having fun. If you need people to explain to you why it's fun then obviously it's not for you. Are there any other video games you are afraid to try?

Balloon Fight

09-26-2003, 01:20 PM

I thought it was the stupidest thing on earth. Jumping up and down on top of arrows? PLEASE

Then i tried it and liked it. Now i can do some songs backwards. :eek 2:

sisko

09-26-2003, 01:23 PM

Pssh. Flamebait.

Because it's fun. Duh. I don't care if I look ridiculous to uptight people that wander by the arcade, because I'm having fun. If you need people to explain to you why it's fun then obviously it's not for you. Are there any other video games you are afraid to try?

Damn straight. Honestly, the only thing I am afraid of is looking ridiculous to hardcore DDRers.

The game is fun, and is the most challenging series I have every played. No matter how good you get, there is still something new to master.

It's a good workout too :D

Daltone

09-26-2003, 01:28 PM

I was at Marvin's arcade this weekend and people were dumping quarters into DDR (DDR Extreme I think) like crazy.

I watched them play this game and I just don't get it. I've read about it in these forums and I know several of you are really into it.

Please help me understand. Why do you play this game?

Dave

Like everyone else the best advice i can give is - just play it. At first I mocked a friend of mine for being so obsessed, then I tried it. :-D

GrandAmChandler

09-26-2003, 01:31 PM

I have determined after several attempts at this game, that I am a white boy with No rhythm whatsoever. I am lucky I can get to the 4th level of Parappa the Rappa. :roll:

chadtower

09-26-2003, 01:33 PM

On a related question, anyone here use it as a type of aerobic workout?

Anonymous

09-26-2003, 01:48 PM

DDRMax for the PS2 has a workout mode. you put in your weight, age, etc. and it keeps track of how many calories you burn in a session, and tracks your sessions so you can see how much you've done, and when you last played.

chadtower

09-26-2003, 01:50 PM

Nice... I assume, though, that without the quantification, you can still use any DDR session as a workout. Is there a DDR/pad combo usable on the ps1 or dreamcast? I don't have a ps2.

Kroogah

09-26-2003, 01:55 PM

The game is fun, and is the most challenging series I have every played. No matter how good you get, there is still something new to master.

Heh, the scary part is the rest of the Bemani series. Games like Beatmania IIDX, Guitar Freaks, and Pop'n Music are incredibly challenging.

Kroogah

09-26-2003, 01:57 PM

Nice... I assume, though, that without the quantification, you can still use any DDR session as a workout. Is there a DDR/pad combo usable on the ps1 or dreamcast? I don't have a ps2.

It's pretty easy to get DDR Konamix for the PS1. All PS2 DDR pads work fine on the PS1 as well. Konamix also has a workout mode.

There is a Dreamcast DDR but it's import-only. Good luck finding the game, much less finding a pad for it...

chadtower

09-26-2003, 02:07 PM

Such as this one, I suppose:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3049016577&category=11322

Maybe I'll snag one of those next week. I could use a good gaming/aerobic fix.

Darth Sensei

09-26-2003, 02:11 PM

Well, for those who like DDR Arcade, is the PS2 version comparable?

Dave

Anonymous

09-26-2003, 02:17 PM

sisko

09-26-2003, 02:20 PM

DDRMax for PS2 has a workout mode as well (I'm willing to bet DDRMax2 has it too --- its a brand new release).

The games themseves are comparable to the arcade. Mainly the song selection is different.

Unfortunately, the US got the shaft on most of the DDR titles so if you really get into it, you may have to import some titles. I have 3 versions though, and they still keep me pretty occupied two years later.

Also it depends on what pads you use. They are all different, and don't provide an accurate arcade recreation.

Cobalt flux pads, however do. They are the most responsive, most durable, and most accurate pads out there. The downside? They cost tons of money.

http://www.cobaltflux.com

sisko

09-26-2003, 02:25 PM

Hey captain Yashiro, what is a fair price for the Dreamcast DDR game and a dance pad? I can pick both up at a local place for 50 dollars...

Also, CueWarrior, the PS2 version is really good. The arcade and PSX/PS2 games all play exactly the same, and for beginners any soft pad will work fine.

You don't necessarily need to buy a dreamcast pad. You can get a DC to PSX controller converter, and that works for most games (this way you can use the same pad for PSX DDR). Also there is a homebrew DDR game that is supposed to be really really good. I think its called Feet of Fury.

tabbs

09-26-2003, 02:53 PM

It's fun and good excersize . . . for those of us who can't dance for real.
It bugs me when people show off by jumping around with their back to the screen . I'm like "Great, you memorized a song to show off your idiocy to, nice. . . now don't talk to me."

I didn't want to play DDR for the longest time because I too thought it looked stupid. At Adventure Landing my friend poured in his dollar and told me to get on the pad before his dollar went to waste . . . so I did.
Can't let such an expensive credit be wasted, now can I??
I had fun and we started competing and laughing.

....then I got tired and wandered back over to Soul Calibur 2....

Anonymous

09-26-2003, 03:02 PM

It bugs me when people show off by jumping around with their back to the screen . I'm like "Great, you memorized a song to show off your idiocy to, nice. . . now don't talk to me."
I don't think that's fair to the people who can do those moves. As I mentioned before, DDR is a skill based game, the goal is to get better at it. People do get to the point where they can hit all the arrows with relative ease. DDR is also designed so that actual dance steps can be used, and certain patterns show up regularly in songs that allow people to do things like spins, knee touches, and jumps. Many players aren't just looking to impress the pretty girl that is smirking in their direction.

chadtower

09-26-2003, 03:06 PM

At Adventure Landing my friend poured in his dollar and told me to get on the pad before his dollar went to waste . . . so I did.
Can't let such an expensive credit be wasted, now can I??

That's exactly why I won't play it in the arcades... it costs a freakin' DOLLAR. I'm one of those guys who never plays the games that are more than a quarter.

tabbs

09-26-2003, 03:07 PM

Actually being good at it is one thing.
I'm talking about those who memorize a song and brag about it.
It's great to see someone who can really show off how the pad can be used.

devilman

09-26-2003, 03:14 PM

DDR and other Bemani stuff is definitely something that should be tried before it's dismissed. I started off with Samba de Amigo. Everybody I showed it to took the piss until they had a go and they all loved it.

chadtower

09-26-2003, 03:21 PM

Everybody I showed it to took the piss until they had a go and they all loved it.

That is such a brutal sentence out of context.

devilman

09-26-2003, 06:45 PM

:D

What can I say... I have entertaining peripherals. ;)

kainemaxwell

09-26-2003, 08:30 PM

I love the music for it myself, but suck playing it for now.

RetroYoungen

09-26-2003, 09:38 PM

It's a fun game. Cool music (IMO, anyway), an interesting premise, it gives me exercise, and it got me into the rhythm genre. Now I'm playing Feet of Fury (Go buy it! Support independant developers!), Um Jammer Lammy and even Pump It Up!.

I love it, it's interesting and fun.

scooterb23

09-26-2003, 10:00 PM

I'd hazard I'm the worst DDR player here. I still score C on some 1-foot songs!!

But at Magic Mountain, in front of all my cow-orkers...I had my greatest moment...I perfect comboed a 2-foot song, and nearly did on a 3-footer...and then I got a C on a 1-footer again :(

But the game is so much fun, I have to play it once or twice every time I hit an arcade... I have DDRMax, and the Disney mix at home...I don't play them much because my generic dance pad is horrible.

For $20-30 what would you guys recommend as the most best for the money??? I know you say any pad will work, but te one I have is just horrid...

Kroogah

09-26-2003, 10:05 PM

I think Konami just released a new one alongside DDRMAX2 (yes there is a new PS2 mix that just came out Wednesday). I dunno how much it costs though. My Mad Catz pads served their purpose for me before I bought a Redoctane pad.

davidbrit2

09-27-2003, 01:50 AM

Yeah, I'm tempted to order one of those new Konami mats for use as a portable/spare/backup/etc. It's only $30, and I hear they simply don't slide. If the foam layer inside is rugged enough, they might even be able to show up some of the metal pads currently available.

And regarding the other Bemani games, yeah, DDR actually has some of the simplest note patterns. I'd say it's tied with Para Para Paradise, and Dance Maniax is slightly simpler. Seriously, if you try playing some of the hardest stuff on Drummania, Pop'n Music, or Beatmania IIDX, you will never think a DDR sequence looks complicated ever again. Daydream Expert Real, Classic 8 EX, and V Another make baby Jesus cry.

For the morbidly curious, here's what Daydream looks like on Expert Real: Daydream (http://www.geocities.co.jp/Milano-Aoyama/1111/dm/dm3/daye.html)

The columns, from left to right: Hi Hat, Snare, Bass, Hi Tom, Low Tom, Cymbal
Just click start. That's the actual speed. I recommend you be sitting down when you see this. And no, I can't clear it. ;-)