"Doesn't compare to the other DDR games"

Konami's Bemani games were always hits in the arcades. Dance Dance Revolution has really been a craze for the past couple years or so almost everywhere in Asia. Now that popular arcade dancing simulator finally arrives overseas with its own signature name, Dance Dance Revolution USA. It plays like just like any other DDR game and is fun, but unfortunately, the game lacks a good amount of songs and variety of track selection in comparison to the others in the Dance Dance Revolution series.

The game's graphics look basically the same found in the original Dance Dance Revolution. The visuals and graphic backgrounds are so damn psychodelic with flying colors everywhere, and even though there's a lot of activity going on onscreen, it will hardly interrupt the gameplay. As for the game's control, it plays just like a usual DDR: up to two players place their feet on arrows on a platform to the designated arrows that scroll upscreen. Unfortunately, USA's dancing platform may be a little too small for some gamers, which may result in a lot of unwanted misses. The sound and music are the best part of the game, featuring some good songs that will easily be simple to dance to the beat to. Even the announcer doesn't get repetitive or too annoying here, but rather encourages the dancer, adding more fun to the game. Also, some tracks such as Boys and Paranoia are just plain fun to play.

The USA version may still be fun, but anyone who has played the 3rd Mix or even 2nd Mix of Dance Dance Revolution will be disappointed with the USA version. It plays similar to any DDR game, but it has a very limited amount of songs to choose from. Most of them are recycled songs from previous DDR games and mixed versions of already available songs. It also doesn't have a very diverse track selection, mostly composing of instrumental beats, each which sound strikingly familiar to one another. There are several tracks which are vocal, but more could have been added. There's three difficulty levels to choose from (Beginner, Normal, Difficult), but that doesn't really change the replay value and fun factor. With Dance Dance Revolution: Club Version already available and with the 4th Mix scheduled to be released soon, the USA version is probably the worst of the series. It doesn't compare to the other Dance Dance Revolution titles.

Reviewer's Score: 6/10, Originally Posted: 01/11/01, Updated 01/11/01