Which Version of Dance Dance Revolution Is Best

Although most Dance Dance Revolution fans still consider the original PlayStation 2 run of Dance Dance Revolution to be the best, the feud between the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 on who gets to become the true successor of the DDR series continues. Unfortunately, neither version is a clear cut improvement over the other, thus which console to play on generally boils down to personal opinion. A few stray factors such as price, online multiplayer, quality, and simplicity are still open for debate.

Since the prices of Dance Dance Revolution games are pretty standard, the major cost factor comes from the systems themselves. Unlike the Playstation3, the Xbox 360 requires a monthly fee to play online multiplayer. Of course, this is mostly offset by the significantly smaller price-tag on the xbox 360. Assuming you do not have either console, this will certainly be a larger factor. Although the recent price drops of the PS3 must be taken into account.

For people who thrive on instant gratification, the delayed launch dates of the PS3 versions of video games cannot be ignored. Until recently there has been some uncertainty as to whether the Playstation 3 will even have releases of all main stream games. The Playstation 3 has the added advantage of backwards compatibility with previous DDR games. This is assuming you managed to grab a Playstation 3 back in the first or second generations of the consoles. If you do not have a PS3 already, you will not be able to play any of your old Dance Dance Revolution games, nor will any of your accessories be usable without additional hardware.

There will occasionally be bundles with either console and a copy of DDR, as well as a pad or two. If you are extremely late to the game you may be able to find a Playstation 2 bundle set! For more information on Dance Dance Revolution hardware; stay tuned. A gadget that seeks out these bundles may eventually be added to the site if I can figure out how!

Dance Dance Revolution Pad Comparison

Dance Dance Revolution is a video game where the player must accurately step on colored arrows in beat with a song. There are four arrows; up, down, left and right. The arrows are tapped in an ordered defined by graphics moving on the screen. On harder difficulties the arrows on screen move faster and faster, and the player must keep stomping arrows at the same speed. If the game pad the player is standing on should slide on the floor or fail to register a step, then the game becomes nearly impossible to play. This is why, with home versions of the game, it is very important to have a proper Dance Dance Revolution game pad.

Most home versions of the game ship with a soft pad. On easier difficulties, this soft pad will suffice. But on harder difficulties, the faster movements will cause the pad to move around. Any uncertainty in the position of the pad during game play will make it much more difficult and much less enjoyable to play.

One major advantage the arcade version of Dance Dance Revolution is that the pads are contained in a metal case, with holes over the arrow buttons, that is anchored in place. Since it is easy to differentiate the feel of a metal plate and soft pad, it is very easy to tell if you've properly hit the pad or not, which is not the case for the soft pads. Not having steps register properly can be extremely frustrating!

Most Dance Dance Revolution players start playing in an arcade, and are ultimately spoiled by the superiority of the metal pads. Playing with the soft pads at home is much more difficult and can severely impact playing scores.

For more information about different versions of Dance Dance Revolution, different types of game pads, as well as information on other miscellaneous accessories, stay tuned to this blog!