DDRMAX: Dance Dance Revolution

"Yet another DDR swept through the USA. Not that it's a bad thing."

Without a doubt, Japan knows about Dance Dance Revolution. The unique dancing music game from Konami's ''Bemani'' team had gained popularity throughout the country. So far, they've confronted 7 ''mixes'' of the game, and their newest one has just recently been revealed.

Switch to America. The DDR craze has obviously started to gain quite a bit of popularity in the US also, but unfortunately they are farther behind on domestic DDR titles, both in the arcades and on home consoles. And with Konami no longer making Arcade machines, the possibility of a new DDR arcade machine for America seems to have died away, leaving the only new American DDR games to be released on home consoles. Considering the console series, while Japan's DDRMAX is their 6th Mix, the American version is technically our 3rd (not counting the ''Disney Mix''). With that thought alone, it isn't surprising that at least a few people consider America ''behind the times.'' The first console DDR was disappointing to many of the hardcore fans. The second, entitled ''Dance Dance Revolution Konamix,'' was more appreciated as the pure Konami music was featured and the true DDR essence was contained in a nice clean package.

Then there's DDRMAX.

As usual, the object of the game is as follows. Using a dance pad (or a controller if you're going to be cheap), you have to ''dance'' by hitting the appropriate arrow at the appropriate time. Accuracy and rhythm are key in doing well in the game, and difficulty levels help to keep things intersting for both beginners and masters. It's simple and fun to play, and with a variety of step modes, music, and difficulties, it doesn't lose its flavor too quickly.

DDRMAX introduces new additions to the DDR world. A new freeze arrow requires the player to hold the arrow while keeping the other foot busy. A ''Groove Radar'' lets you look into the notable heights of step types in the song. Character dancers are no longer chosen, and background movies are displayed instead of background sprites and distortions. New to the US is the altered and somewhat simplified song select format, originally introduced in the Japanese 5th mix, displaying the highest letter grade and score when a song is highlighted.

As is true with the last few DDR games in America, the game had to be altered from the Japanese counterparts because of licenses only for Japan. But Konami of America decided to try and make up for it by including exclusive license songs of their own, like Real 2 Reel's ''I Like To Move It'' and Darude's ''Sandstorm,'' in DDRMAX USA (as it shall be called from hereon), and they aren't too bad either.

Also featured are many classic songs from the other DDR games, some which return from the first few DDR USA games. Of course, other exclusive Konami songs for the USA are available too, some of which are just appearing in Japan's newest Arcade DDR! So, in short, we have something old and something new music-wise.

Speaking of which, like in Konamix, additional songs in DDRMAX USA must be unlocked. Not only may this require a lot of cleared stages, but also a few other accomplishments as well. How skilled you are determines how soon you can unlock everything.

While exclusive songs are all well and good for the US release, the folks at Konami of America were nice to add an extra mode for the expert dancer. Known as the challenging ''Oni Mode,'' the new mode requires absolute perfection in order to be successful. Originally from Japan's arcade DDRMAX 2, the home version of this new mode has been released in the US first! This mode can prove to be very difficult, and often only expert DDR players can clear the Oni stages. If the player survives...well, it will certainly be a good thing, especially if they are attempting to add to their song collection (hint, hint)...

Other options and modes from Konamix make a reappearance, such as the Workout Mode (to help exercising players keep track of burnt calories), the Lesson and Training Modes (for beginners just learning the game), and the Edit Mode (to enable players to make their own steps to DDRMAX USA songs). The Edit Mode has an added option where songs featured in both DDRMAX USA and Konamix can each obtain data from each other through an ''Outside Manager.'' Freeze arrows, however, may not play on Konamix. Keep that in mind...

The new DDR game for the US features plenty of modes and options to keep any player busy for a while. Any DDR fan will really appreciate this US DDR game.

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