Dance Dance Revolution: Disney Channel Edition

"Decent game, but with some technical flaws"

A decade ago, Konami wanted to test a new type of game: rhythm-based games. Some believed that it wasn't fun to step arrows, and believed also that it wouldn't last long. But ten years later, it is always present. The game I will review for you, dear readers is the second Disney edition of the DDR franchise. But compared to its other brothers, will it have his share of popularity? Let's see that more closely, shall we?


Gameplay : 7/10

The gameplay here is pretty simple: you step on arrows to match the rhythm of the songs you play to acheive the maximum possible score. Sadly, the gameplay suffers here. Arrows are more than often off-beat and people who wants to get a perfect score would be frustrated. In fact, the timing of the arrows is pretty much similar like the system engine of the earlier games that were on the PlayStation 1. Unlocking songs is very simple: players who played the MAX series will recognize the system right away, which consists simply of unlocking the songs through general gameplay. There is a Dance Master mode in this version, but it is a tone down version of the mission mode we are used to see and its only usefulness is to unlock an alternate costume of the dancers.


Graphics/sound: 8/10

Backgrounds make a return here. Players who enjoyed seeing pre-DDR SuperNOVA games with backgrounds will enjoy the game pretty much. However, it's pretty much repetitive.

Those who were hopeful to see a second Disney Mix will be deceived, I fear. No Mickey Mouse, no Donald Duck and no Goofy. The selection of songs is pretty decent, however. On the other side, the announcer is weird. The way Keen Games, the developper of this version made it sound makes me wonder if it was important to them to program it properly. For example, when you step on a freeze arrow (A long arrow that you must hold) and you complete it, you hear him saying "O.K.!". The thing that makes him weird is the fact you hear him EVERYTIME you step a freeze arrow and in a series of freeze arrows, it is very annoying and repetitive.

The thing that makes this section shine however is the selection system. There is two submenus which divides the songs in their proper section: the Disney Channel section and the DDR originals section. Although there is a lack of songs in the DDR department plus the fact there isn't new songs at all in that section, the selection of songs is solid and corresponds to the theme. Another thing that makes this game special, we can hear songs like PARANOiA Max in the background when we surf through the menus.

Play time/replayability: 7/10

It is a rhythm game, so replayability is perfect as always. However, the unlock method for getting every song is the weirdest thing I've saw in this game, and ultimately isn't the best idea. You see, to get the final songs in this game, you must get a Full Marvelous Combo. Yup, you've heard it. You MUST clear the song more than perfectly. Maybe it's original, but casual players who only wants to play the game for fun won't like this method. For that reason, I put a 7 in that section.

Final recommendation: 6/10

For a DDR game, I must say I am pretty much disappointed. Where they shine usually for the timing of the arrows, it fails here. Players who are die-hard of DDR or Disney Channel fans should have this game however, since it is a good game to have, though. People who doesn't know if they should have this game can rent it first. Just don't expect to believe it will be the 8th marvel of the world.

Reviewer's Score: 6/10, Originally Posted: 01/22/08, Updated 03/09/09

Game Release: Dance Dance Revolution: Disney Channel Edition (US, 01/08/08)