DDRMAX: Dance Dance Revolution

"The Closest to the Arcade Yet."

Introduction -

You've been to the arcade. You've played the PlayStation games, but now, for the first time, the Dance Dance Revolution craze comes to a next-generation console. This game contains many of your favorite songs from the arcade, and you can't go wrong purchasing this title. From the many modes in gameplay, to the awesome music and graphics, all the way to the infinite replayability, this game has everything it needs to be a permanent addition to your collection. As you read on, you'll discover what makes this game a promising title for the craze and the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system itself.

Gameplay - 10/10

It's pretty much the same as the arcade. If you loved the way the game functioned when you played there, there's no surprises here. The only thing that can really bring it down is your type of pad. If you're an experienced Dance Dance Revolution player, than you know that those cheap soft pads just don't cut it. The game will work well with just about any type of pad, and the better your pad is, the better response you'll receive from the game. You can't blame Konami if you missed a step, because their software functions the same way no matter what extra hardware you have. It has especially good response to the deluxe metal pads, which is a definite plus.
There are also a few more modes here than in the arcade. There are workout and edit modes as well as lesson and training. In workout mode, you input your weight and other such settings so that you can try to reach your body's cardiovascular goals. Not only is the game fun, but it can also help you get into shape. In edit mode, you can customize the dance steps of your favorite songs. You can make them easier or more difficult, more fun or however you want. So if you're sick of all that turning in some songs, get rid of it. If you like it, add more. It's all about how you dance and what you enjoy in this mode. In lesson mode, you pass through various tutorials on how to play. The tutorials show you various techniques that you can use in songs, and when to use them. They also have a test at the end of each section to apply what you know. Adjusting to DDR as a beginner has never been so simple. Finally, training mode can help you become a better player with various step patterns shown to you. If you can't hit some of the more difficult patterns, this mode can help you finally master it, and pass that song you've wanted to for so long.
As you can see, there are modes for every taste and need. I don't know what else I could ask for from a home Dance Dance Revolution game.

Audio and Video - 10/10

If you don't like the music in DDRMAX, I have no idea why you're playing this game. The bare basics of the game is the music, and without fantastic music, it wouldn't be what it is. It has dance hits from all different types of music genre and from all different eras. I personally love the music in this game, but you really have to see for yourself. You can find various song lists floating around the internet, and you can also research all the different styles here. All of the music easily fits the game, and you can feel assured that it'll all work out. Also, if you play in the arcade, the music is from Dance Dance Revolution MAX: 6th Mix. Expect familiar songs as well as some exclusive remixes.
The graphics here are as good as the arcade, if not better. There are smooth background animations that are stimulating, but not distracting. The arrows still stand out, as they are as bright and illuminated as ever. The colors run smoothly over each other, and the contrasts are perfect. As you are playing throughout the game, you realize how well the dance steps match the music, and without a perfect audio-video synchronization, the game would really have no purpose. As you get more experienced, the video is only there for you to see what arrow is going to be where. It's all in the beat and rhythm of the music and in this type of game, there isn't much to rely on in the video category. However, the graphics and style could be lacking and bare, and of this they aren't. For something that isn't vitally important, DDRMAX gets the job done.

Replayability - 10/10

If there is one thing that makes this game perfect, above everything else, it is the replayability. You can play the songs over and over again, never to get tired of them. If you can get a score of ''AAA'' on every song on every mode in only a short period of time, you have to be the greatest Dance Dance Revolution player of all time. And in this game, the score ''A'' just isn't enough. You strive to pass all of the Catas(nine foot difficulty songs) with the best score you can. Once you've completely perfected your game at home, you travel to the arcade to show off at all of your friends. Once you dazzle and amaze them, you go home and play the exact songs again, until you can fully combo all of the steps in perfect. From what I've played of this game so far, I really can't tell you that I'll ever get bored with it. Even when you're an experienced DDR player, I still think there are quite a few goals you need to reach. Plus, there are all of the different modes. Your friend might be able to ''AA'' Max300, but can he do it in dark or invisible modes? Maybe he needs a speed modifier, or maybe the speed modifiers throw him off. There are so many different options at the arcade, and when you have them all at home, you can always make your own combinations. Like I said before, even if you can ''AAA'' all of the songs in this game on every mode, there are still infinite amounts of combinations of select options for you to master, and with everything this game has to offer, I can never see myself, or a hard-core DDR player ever letting this title gather dust.

Buy or Rent? - Buy

As I went on about in the last section, the replayability in this game has gone far and beyond any game I've ever played. For you to completely master this game, and even, if possible, get tired of it, it's not going to happen in a rental. You need to experience this game for well over a month, and that's certainly not a rental. If there has ever been a game that I am pleased that I have bought so far, it is definitely this title. Once I've conquered the game, it's not like I have to play the same plot and story all over again, it's infinitely changing. Dare to max out your score to the best of your ability. To tell you the truth, this game is very addicting. So, even if I can't persuade you on how much you're going to replay it, I'm sure that the game will. So, if you're the kind of person that's just trying out Dance Dance Revolution for the first time, and you don't really know if you're going to like it, then I do not recommend you to rent the game. I recommend you to go out to your nearest arcade and play there. Because the arcade experience, with the highly responsive metal pads is surely the thing to get you to go out and purchase DDRMAX and a dance pad of your choice. I don't think there is anything this game can accomplish for you in a rental, and that there are only two choices here: Arcade and Purchase.

Final Thoughts -

The perfect Dance Dance Revolution title is just waiting to be played in your PlayStation 2. Whether you're a newcomer or a veteran, this game has something to offer for everyone. Even when you go to the arcade for the first time, and you don't necessarily make yourself look good, this game has everything you need to improve your game, even if you think that it's peaked and as best as it can get. This game is a great addition to anyone's video game collection, and it has many songs that might not appear in future titles. If you say that you're waiting for the next generation of Dance Dance Revolution, I can't guarantee that Konami or Bemani are going to put the same songs there. And frankly, I really don't know if we are ever going to see a console version of the Korean DDR Counterpart ''Pump It Up'' in the United States. So even, at the bare least, to you have these songs for later, I guarantee you will not be disappointed.

Reviewer's Score: 10/10, Originally Posted: 01/01/03, Updated 01/01/03