Just Dance hopped onto the Wii scene near the end of the peak of music-centered videogames like Dance Dance Revolution and Guitar Hero. They’re still around, but the Just Dance series, with its lack of custom peripherals, seems to have more staying power than many of the previous music based games. The 2015 edition of Just Dance has everything users have come to expect from the series, with just a few new online-focused features. A no-brainer purchase for fans, and a decent starting point for interested newcomers.

In the Just Dance line of games, gamers take ahold of a Wiimote (or other appropriate controller) and then mimic the dancer(s) onscreen. (*Note: Wii version of the title reviewed here. Non-Nintendo versions make use of their respective motion controllers.) Correctly copying the displayed dance moves, the higher one’s score. Staying exactly on the beat earns higher points, although moves that are just off of optimal will still contribute to your score. The game has about a couple dozen songs from which to choose as well as additional songs that can be purchased and downloaded to your console. While dancers on screen move their whole bodies around, the game technically only measures the movements of the Wiimote. However, the best part of the game is dancing willy-nilly with the colorfully (and perhaps crazily) dressed professional dancers on the screen.

Not much is new with this edition other than the news songs. They span the gamut from relatively current songs (Let it Go, Katy Perry’s Birthday), internet memes (What does the Fox say?), and some classics (Ain’t no Mountain High Enough, Walk This Way, You Spin Me Round). Each song has its own moves with a few even having “alternate” dance forms. While every song supports four players, many even have separate moves for each player. These are some of my favorite as you and your partners all race around the dance “floor” together doing do-se-dos and other silly moves. As in recent editions, 2015 has a larger online component. You can record your scores for online rankings as well as the chance for a video of your performance to be included into the game. As befits a game involving so much movement, there are a couple of options to set one up for a “workout” mode of continuous songs without interruption.

Just Dance has now become a “classic” staple of the Will family (and now invading other platforms). With its engaging play, fun multiplayer options, and its ability to provide exercise while you’re not paying attention, its “classic” status is well deserved. The 2015 edition makes a few modest additions to the game, but its main appeal will be an entirely new set of songs, both old and very new. I highly recommend the series and this year’s game is a fine starting point.

Kid Factor:
There are occasional edgy lyrics (no swearing), primarily suggestive parts of songs that will go over most younger heads. This can be minimized by setting the on-screen lyrics to “off”. The game is appropriate for young and old, easily approachable by any early elementary child. My experience so far is that it is particularly popular with the “tween” set. One would think the attraction might lean towards the females, but I have seen it just as popular with the males although they tend to need a bit of a push before they dive in.

Tags: Game Reviews