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!