Dance Dance Revolution is a great game that allows players to get as active as they would during a full body workout. It’s addictive though – once you get the rhythm stuck in your head it’ll be impossible to stop playing. The good news is there’s no need to! This video game promotes good health habits and fitness, and is great for players of all ages, even if you wouldn’t normally consider yourself a great dancer.

Originally, there was just one Dance Dance Revolution game and it was played in arcades and game rooms outside of the home. The game first gained popularity with Japanese players, but is now a hit all across the world. It reached US arcades in 2000, and has been keeping feet moving ever since. As home gaming systems improved, it became possible to play the game right in the comfort of your living room or rec room. Konami was the first company to bring Dance Dance Revolution into homes via the PlayStation console.

In addition to several sequels to the original Dance Dance Revolution, there have also been a number of knockoffs. Fans will agree, though, none of the knockoffs are as true of a dancing game as DDR.

The game utilizes a dance mat that requires a player to step on directional buttons while keeping time with the cues onscreen, and the music. It’s possible to play (just for fun) without the dance pad, but most players prefer to keep track of their progress and compete with other players.

In the game, there are four columns of arrows that move along the screen top and provide direction for the player to move his or her feet. As you step on the arrow that corresponds with the direction you were given, you score points. The point system is based on the timing of your steps and the length of time you’re able to dance without missing any of the directions. Too many mistakes means your round of dancing ends.

Regardless of how good a dancer you consider yourself, learning to play DDR can be challenging. The game does offer a training mode, which helps players who aren’t quite up to speed with playing video games. The training won’t make you a great dancer, but it will help you understand what you need to do based on what the game is telling you.

And for those who want to use DDR to lose weight, there’s now a feature that will tell you home many calories you’re burning while you play – though some people think the feature is nothing more than a marketing gimmick and probably not all that accurate.

Dance Music Galore

Obviously, you wouldn’t be able to do all of this dancing without music. The game is filled with favorite dance tunes everyone can get into, most of which is a techno pop style, but there are also house, reggae, and Latin music influences. Some of the songs are easily recognizable, but others are mash ups that combine a variety of dance tracks. There are more than two dozen different songs in each game, which might not sound like that many, but try listening to that many songs while dancing at your max speed!

The one area where game enthusiasts feel DDR is lacking is the graphics, but most understand it isn’t a big deal when it comes to this type of game. Player are concentrating on their movements and not focused on anything other than the areas, so it’s not necessary for the game to have extremely detailed and advanced graphics. Those watching you play are also likely focused more on your movements than the screen, so the graphics that are included – basic as they might be – are just an added addition to make things a little more fun. It would be entirely possible to play DDR with nothing more than the directional arrows on the screen.

Over the years, since Dance Dance Revolution has come into homes and had its USA release, families across the country are playing it on a regular basis. And because it’s fun to have variety and options as you master games, more and more versions of the game have been released. We’ve listed some of our favorite versions below with reviews from those who have played the games.

Dance Dance Revolution SuperNova 2 - PlayStation 2 (Game)

This is an updated version of the original DDR game. Supernova offers all of the features DDR players love, as well as some extras. Fans of Supernova 2 enjoy using the game for a good workout. All DDR games provide physical activity, but users report this is one of the highest calorie burning games so far. You’re able to unlock songs as you play, which gets increasingly challenging the further into the game you go.

The downside of Supernova 2 is that you can’t choose or customize your dance characters. They are randomly chosen and you’re stuck looking at them for the duration of the game. As mentioned above, the graphics and characters are one of the less important aspects of the game, but as anyone who has engaged in a long workout knows, sometimes it’s nice to have something interesting to watch.

Dance Dance Revolution Hottest Party - Software Only - Nintendo Wii

This is an updated version of the original DDR that is more physical than the original and designed for the Nintendo Wii. It’s physically engaging and innovative, and allows four player to play at the same time. Music is taken from four decades, so there’s something for just about anyone. This version also allows you to impede your fellow players, so instead of just trying to beat the game, you’re also playing to beat those dancing around you. This competitive addition isn’t for everyone, but a lot of players love it because it makes for a more interesting game. Players describe DDR Hottest Party as challenging and great for those who are even horrible dancers on a regular dance floor.

Dance Dance Revolution Universe 3 with Dance Mat - Xbox 360

DDR Universe comes with more than 70 songs that range from the 1970s to modern music. It’s a game that’s suitable for all skill levels and offers a DJ Mode that allows players to create their own songs. There’s also a City Mode that allows you to compete against dance bosses, and a Quest Mode so you can customize your own dance character with more than 400 different graphic options. People love the customization, but don’t’ like the fact that you can’t choose a single specific song.