Para Para Paradise

"Para Para Paradise, the next dancing simulation from Bemani.."

You probably think that swinging your arms around like an idiot is the most embarrassing thing (not to mention ugly) thing you will ever do, and thus, decided never to play Para Para Paradise.

That's what I thought too, until by some twist of fate I was put in charge of a Para Para performance in school. Let me tell, you Para Para can be fun, and addictive.

The game itself is one of those simulation type music/dancing games from the famous Bemani. The other closest thing to Para Para Paradise, would be Dance Dance Revolution, however do not confuse them, they are very different in their own right.

Para Para Paradise (PPP for short), is based on Japan's dance style Para Para, and like the dance, this game was originally set to emulate the dance, bringing about the Para Para mode. In this mode, it's imperative that you learn the dance, or get bored out of your socks (not to mention boring your audience) with sporadic movements now and then, and lots of 'break time'. However, it is true that not everyone can (or will) learn the dances, due to certain 'effeminate' moves. That is also covered in Freestyle mode, where the arrows are faster and well, require you to dance (or wave your arms about).

So what makes this so appealing? The first thing is that you can rack up a rather sizable audience when playing this at the arcade. Try getting a group of friends dancing behind you when you do it. On alternative, if your arcade didn't remove the back sensors, you can actually do the entire dance on mirror mode, facing away from the screen and straight at the audience!

The next thing is it's multiplayer 'link' option for Para Para Version 2. Here you can 'connect' two machines and have two people dancing at the same time. There is even a built in gauge that calculates scores and displays who 'wins' at the end of the match.

Para Para Paradise is a game set to rock the world for another few years!

Gameplay 8/10
PPP has an original concept that can be adjusted to suit your own needs as well as difficulty settings. Very versatile and appeals to both males and females, from ages 6-60. (I’ve seen these people play at the arcades!)

Replayability 10/10
Like all other Bemani’s, it seems like you’ll never get sick of this game, with so much more to learn, and improve on!

Music 8/10
If you’re like me and don’t mind the Eurobeat type of music, it suits you, be warned though, for lovers and haters alike, the music tends to stick in your head…

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 11/24/02, Updated 11/24/02