"Oi, this is the best arcade game ever!"

When I first saw the Dance Dance Revolution 3rd Mix machine at my local arcade in the mall, I almost fainted. I have been playing DDR now since September of 2001 on the Playstation, but there's only so much you can do from the comfort of your own home. A few quarters later and Twisted is impressing the crowds of people with his amazing DDR skills.

In case you're not familiar with the purpose of the DDR series here's a brief explanation. You stand on a large metal platform with arrows on it while a song plays; when the arrows at the bottom of the screen flying upwards line up with the stationary outlines of arrows at the top of the screen, you step on the arrow(s) that correspond to the arrows that lined up. Depending on the accuracy of your step, you will be given a score of Perfect, Great, Good, Boo!, or Miss for each arrow that you land (or don't). Now that explanation is really bare-bones and really doesn't capture the beauty of Dance Dance Revolution; it's one of those things that you have to see for yourself. I guarantee you that the first time you walk into an arcade and see a pro doing Dead End SSR, your jaw will absolutely drop to the floor.

There are three levels of difficulty: Basic, Another, and SSR (Step Step Revolution). Difficulty is measured in ''feet'' - the easiest songs, such as Get Up And Dance, are one foot, while the hardest songs, such as Captain Jack SSR and Dynamite Rave SSR, are nine feet. SSR songs are incredibly difficult to pull off, but very satisfying to yourself and impressing to a crowd.

The excellence of this game's soundtrack goes without saying, almost. I'm not really a VG music buff, but this game contains songs that I would actually enjoy listening to on my own time. DDR 3rd marks the first appearance of the classics Dynamite Rave, Captain Jack Grandale Remix, and Afronova, as well as remixes of past DDR songs such as Butterfly (upswing mix).

How does it compare to the PSX version? Well, for starters, the mat doesn't slide around like it does at home, which means that you can do harder songs without the fear of the mat launching out from under you. The problem in the arcade is that you have to pay for each time you want to play. Plus, the crowds that flock to DDR machines can generate tension for many inexperienced DDR players, and even vets with stage fright. However, you can use your shoes on the arcade version. Personally, I can perform better in the arcade, but it might be different for some people.

Overall, this game kicks some serious butt, and I highly suggest you give it a shot. Even if you say that dancing's not your thing, you never know until you try.

Reviewer's Score: 10/10, Originally Posted: 03/31/02, Updated 03/31/02