A Beginner's Guide to the Dance Dance Phenomena

An anonymous reader writes "I just saw a rather interesting article over at LANParty.com about breaking into the world of Dance Dance Revolution. The article has a humourous story about going from DDR mocker to DDR fanatic thanks to a seven-year-old kid. Also, it has reviews of some home DDR equipment for those too timid to play in public. The article is written from a beginner's perspective, and has some good resources for newbies! If you've ever thought of hopping up and 'busting a move', be sure to check it out."

Comments

I'm probably addicted.

[Renraku]

DDR introduced me to social situations. I mean, before DDR, I never really mingled with people at large social gatherings. But DDR has made me a much more social person, forcing you to either deal with people or play at home. Not to mention the health benefits of being able to pass Max300 on maniac (I did that once, it hurt).

Exercise couldn't be more fun.

[Broadband]

I just got hooked to this new addiction back in May and I can safely say I've got more exercise over the past few months then i'd get in an entire year!

You don't need an arcade....

[mblase]

DDR introduced me to social situations. I mean, before DDR, I never really mingled with people at large social gatherings. But DDR has made me a much more social person, forcing you to either deal with people or play at home.

For what it's worth, regular dance lessons (of pretty much any kind. I started with swing and proceeded into ballroom) will achieve the same result, teaching you to be more sociable and courteous -- especially with the opposite sex -- while also helping you get into better shape.

I was going to say that DDR is probably cheaper than dance lessons, but at a buck for three songs, it's probably not.

Crack your paper Yellow Pages to look for dance instruction in your area, or look in the quarterly park district catalog. Learn some partner dances. Swallow your pride and practice them in public. If nothing else, it'll make the next wedding reception you attend 100% more enjoyable.

Wake up, there are cheaper places to dance.

[Auckerman]

First time I ran into DDR was at a local Fun Zone. Some kid was "dancing" on some pads, appearantly having fun. Paying a dollar for maybe 5 minutes. The night before I was in a club dancing for free. Better music, more people, and it didn't cost me a thing.

I'm all cool with what people find fun, but DDR is outright lame. Not because dancing in public is lame, but because it's expensive, the music isn't the best, and you look like a fool in an arcade dancing on some buttons.

Whatever, I guess I'm just trolling.

Re:Wake up, there are cheaper places to dance.

[Enonu]

You're missing the appeal.

What's the point of playing a game? Two answers depending on who you are:

1. To have fun
2. To beat it

I'm personally in the #1 and #2 crowd. DDR songs at 9 feet (1 == beginner) are exceptionaly hard. So hard, that'd I'd challenge any "real" dancer to do a 9-footer, and get at least a B in under 20 tries. Normal people might be able to do it after 500 or so tries.

Now here's the obsession people have. Do the above, but get a AA (not missing a step and staying on-time). Ah, missed a step --> do the entire song again! It's like being able to beat Contra without dying once. Stractch that. It's like being able to beat ghost and ghoblins and not dying once. It's a real accomplishment.

Finally. If you're overweight, the game kicks ass for losing weight. Even in public, it's worth the shame to lose the pounds. I've met people who've lost over 60lbs on the machine. I doubt there are many other weight loss methods that'd compete in terms of fun.

So, is DDR worth it? Depends on who you are.

Re:Wake up, there are cheaper places to dance.

[Burning1]

So hard, that'd I'd challenge any "real" dancer to do a 9-footer, and get at least a B in under 20 tries.

Uh... Dude... DDR is an arcade game. Most dancers actually dance; They don't have a lot of skill at mashing buttons.

With that said, while people may be losing weight playing DDR, doing so is not going to get them into awesome shape (this is me speaking as a bodybuilder.) If they don't change their diet and they don't continue to excercise after the DDR craze has warn down on them, the benifits of the game aren't going to last.

I'll stick to diet, weightlifting, and real life arobics (such as swimming, skating, and "real" dancing,) thank you. : )

Oooh... Side note: contrary to popular belief, dieting doesn't mean sarving one's self. ^_^

The man has a point.

[Mulletproof]

Study the demographics that play DDR (no sources, just spend a night at your local gameworks). Having skills in DDR is a good way to hook up with the ladies as this is one of the few games they seem to like and float around the most. On a side note, I'd be more impressed with people who play DDR if they could bust their moves at random instead of the physical game of memorization DDR is.

Pump It Up!

[Xenopax]

I know that DDR is the big popular dance game, but if you want one that's really fun play Pump It Up (PIU). I find that one to be a lot more challenging than DDR, plus you don't have the annoying announcer screaming "Good Job!" or whatever the hell he says.

Also, I own the home pads for DDR and PIU, and PIU has much better pads IMO. Plus those are pads for your PC, so you can download fan made songs to dance to. :-) DDR only has playstation pads as far as I know. I'm sure there's a hack to get them going on your PC so you can download songs, but PIU is ready to go over USB.

Reading this I want to run out and play some PIU. To bad I'm getting my ACL repaired this time next week. :-(