Dance Dance Revolution 4th Mix

"Everything you could ever want in a DDR game!"

Gameplay- This game is unbelievable, one of my favorite DDR games. The game is very good for DDR beginners and for experts alike. Yes, I have tried all the other mixes also and this one is one of the coolest ones around boasting great but simplistic gameplay. Sure the premise is simple but yet challenging when it speeds up double time. You can play this game 2 ways. One being with a psx controller which takes most of the fun away since this game really involves body movements, but isn't too bad because you can train yourself to get used to the arrows. The other way of playing is with the actual arcade sized 3rd party mats. These mats are just about essential for this game, there is no excuse to shell out cash for this import but not a mat. And also with the mat, this game give you a good workout. Too bad they slide a lot, I better get one of those hard mats. I think that a game that makes you move your body around is awesome, you really get into it, trust me on this one. Its better than sitting down and watching a screen.

Story- There really isn't a story to this game. There are many cool looking characters though, and even though every characters has there own set of songs, you can still choose them for any song you like with the All Songs option. Its just a game where cool looking people dance to some good tunes.

Video- The graphics aren't the best thing in DDR games since you are so focused on watching the arrows go by so nothing is very revolutionary in terms if visual quality, that's not to say that its an ugly game, it's just not eye-candy. Every song you choose displays a very colorful music video type graphics. The character doing some dance moves is cool looking also. The graphics are pretty much the same as the arcade even though this is PSX. Anyway, bottom line is that if you want the same visuals as the arcade DDR then you bought the right imported PSX versions.

Audio- Now this is why this game is so awesome. Its the music in video games that usually ups the experience of playing, and with a dancing game you are bound to have some great dance tracks. Even though this game doesn't have the number of tracks that the arcade version which is 100+, this game boasts a number around the 50's which is quite alright since most of the songs are great. Some might say that 3rd mix is better and that 4th mix songs are decreased in decency, don't listen to that because most of the new songs are awesome and cant be found on any other mix. I had a blast listening to the tracks and and I don't regret not getting the 3rd mix any second of it. I blasted the audio on my stereo so loud that I just nearly duplicated the arcade experience with their sound system. This game's tracks are far from tasteless and far from the american version of DDR. These are the kind of songs that you hear in Europe. Rave, Techno, Dance, etc.. , they aren't popular over here and this game's tracks sound like a European dance club. Anyway, bottom line, 10/10 on sound ;)

Replayablity- This game will keep you coming back. With all the modes that open up and all the awesome new songs, you will want to play this forever. There is enough challenge in this game to satisfy my DDR needs, and on top of it you got the hard to get used to 6 panel mode and you can toy around with the steps in edit mode and make an endless amount of steps for an endless amount of challenge for you. There are also little great options before the song starts such as that you can mirror the steps and make the steps disappear, there are lots of these little options and they keep you coming back for more.

To buy or to rent- This is a definite buy because this is one fantastic DDR mix. It's got great, fun songs. It has enough challenge. And it has everything that makes the arcade version of DDR so great plus more. I really don't think you can rent it unless you live in japan or an import store nearby rents out games. Anyway, the bottom line is that if you buy this game you are getting back something that is well worth the money you spent. Nothing can match the DDR experience.

Reviewer's Score: 10/10, Originally Posted: 06/26/01, Updated 06/26/01