DDR games for Wii (and Gamecube?): What is there?

BTP

To make a long story short, I've seen this kind of game between a couple of friends and in a few arcades (or what's left of them). I always thought they looked fun, and I've tried them a few times too. I suck, but that always happens for beginners. But anyway, I've somewhat had the approach to these games as I did the Guitar Hero series, being "If I can just have one game in its series, I think I can be happy enough with it."....and I pretty much was with Guitar Hero 3 until they released Guitar Hero Metallica......

.....Anyways, I'm here asking what's available for DDR styled games for Wii. The "Gamecube?" in the title is because the only one I'm aware of is DDR: Mario Mix. As for Wii, I only know of DDR: Hottest Party, and its sequel. Is that really it? And which would be "the one game" to have of what's out there so far?

Since these are all based around the dance mat pads, I'd like to know a few things about them too. Can the dance mats only be used in the DDR games (like how guitars only work in Guitar Hero style games and nowhere else), or are they just a really big D-pad? Do Wii Dance Mats go through the Gamecube ports, or the USB port, or a Wii remote? (I sure hope it's not through the Wii remote!) And are some pads incompatible with some games? (Wiki is saying something about that for DDR: Hottest Party 2, believe it or not.)

cj iwakura

Mario Mix is basically for beginners, and the songlists on Hottest Party seem mediocre at best. The good DDRs are usually on PS2, and even they've gone downhill from Extreme 2 on.

As for games like it, well, they're working on a Pop'n Music game for the Wii, which should be interesting, and might even make it to the US.



It's a game with falling notes that you tap to a beat, except the Wii version seems to involve remote/nunchuk game play somehow?

This is what Pop'n Music proper is like, at least:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WGFQgxXBnXw

Shady3011

Pop'N Music?

POP'N MUSIC

UncleSporky

I have Hottest Party, and while I haven't played it in forever due to not having a place to put the mat, I thought the songlist was fine. I liked it better than most because I recognized a lot more of the music than usual.

Sixfortyfive

Dance games are one of the few genres of video games (the only genre I can think of, actually) that I like but consider to be absolutely worthless on anything but the arcade machines. Soft mats just can't cut it. There's no good solution for higher difficulty charts or things like double play without building your own metal pad set from the ground up, and the spectator factor is completely lost at home. But to be at least somewhat helpful to the OP...

There are other DDR-like games that may also be of interest: Pump It Up (Korean game with 5 panels per side instead of 4) and In The Groove (American 4-panel game), though neither of these can be had on the Wii. There is also the PC simulator Stepmania, which allows the use of custom songlists and user-generated charts.

Console DDR mats can typically be used as normal controllers, though using one to play Tekken is probably even more awkward than the Sega Activator ever was.

SwashbucklerXX

I have DDR: Mario Mix, and it's very good for beginners. The music is pretty good, too, if you're a Nintendophile. I prefer it to the lame J-Pop/techno remixes that seem to populate the regular DDR games. The dance mat plugs into the Gamecube controller port on the Wii, and I find it to be higher-quality than most cheapo third-party mats (like Madkatz).

Dance mats are basically large D-pads, but I have yet to find a non-DDR game that's any fun to control with a dance mat. I definitely don't suggest playing a turn-based RPG with one.

Unfortunately, I think Mario Mix and Hottest Party are pretty much what's out there for Wii DDR games. I wish somebody would do a DDR style game with popular Western music like the stuff you find in Guitar Hero/Rock Band.

cj iwakura

For what it's worth, Pump It Up's always had a good share of rock music, but it's mostly Korean.

Moioink

Take whatever money you would spend on one of these games and just spend it in the arcade instead. Bopping up and down alone in your room on a crappy soft pad (I don't think Konami have ever made a soft pad that doesn't slide around or tear) is really no match the real deal, especially as you're limiting yourself to just GC/Wii DDR (although I think I remember a new one being announced for this fall which may be better). If you really want to make a go of it at home just make sure you budget for a good mat and maybe borrow a friend's mat+game if possible before you do.

maximumzero

I wish I could recommend Samba de Amigo, I really good, but the truth is that the controls can be inaccurate at the worst times.

It's a shame too because it's one of the Dreamcast's best titles.

And don't forget:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2py4wtrcSek

I'm really quite surprised that Konami hasn't re-released it for the Wii or at least did a sequel.

Moioink

I am glad that they haven't.

ArcSyn

I have hottest party and it's pretty good. Just remember to shut off the gimmicks and wiimote controls before you start playing each time you turn it on. I hate extras, just give me DDR.

All of the mats I've seen for the Wii are really Gamecube mats since they can easily plug into the system. I hate it though since it means you're tethered to the system with only 5' of cord. I would love if someone could get a wireless that plugs into the Wiimote or connects like the balance board.

Soft mats are fine, especially for beginners. I started playing with Extreme 2 with a cheap GameStop branded mat (that has a GC and PS2 port) and I still have it and it still works. It's starting to get some problems, but that's because it's pretty old now and I play on Heavy with it. Are they perfect? No, but if you want to play DDR without having to deal with some of the people at your local arcade (if you even have a local arcade) then it's fine. It's no replacement for a metal pad but it's good enough to enjoy yourself. Myself and friends have played some of the hardest songs on soft pads and they work.

I would say grab Hottest Party since you should be able to find it pretty cheap now with HP2 out, and grab a cheap soft pad and have fun. If you find that the pad just doesn't work anymore when you get to the higher levels and you get serious about it, then go for one of the padded mats or even a metal pad, but the soft will do just fine while you're learning and playing for fun.

redfield85

maximumzero wrote: »

I wish I could recommend Samba de Amigo, I really good, but the truth is that the controls can be inaccurate at the worst times.

It's a shame too because it's one of the Dreamcast's best titles.

And don't forget:

vid

I'm really quite surprised that Konami hasn't re-released it for the Wii or at least did a sequel.

I watched the first 50 seconds of that video and wanted to puke. Please tell me that was on the easiest level.

I have been DDRing it up the past week or two. I have two awesome pads for PS2. I think back in the day they were $100 a piece. I also play DDRMAX 1 & 2 (mainly 2). I have Supernova, but I think that game is shit. Just seems like they tried "Wii-ing" the game in that one (aka made for casual audience).

My pad:


Apparently they made a new one it looks like.

Samir Duran Duran

Cobalt flux makes a pretty great dance pad and I think they make a decently thick metal one for about 300$.

Its pretty much the best possible way to go if you're willing to spend the money, soft pads are simply not worth using as they slide around and they miss notes even if you duct-tape them down because they get all scrunched up.

As far as the actual games go I'd say get yourself a PS2 since it has DDR extreme which is definitely the best of the series.

Edit: I do know alot of casual players who find soft pads to work just fine for them, so I guess its just a matter of how much you plan to play and how skilled you want end up.

redfield85

Samir Duran Duran wrote: »

Cobalt flux makes a pretty great dance pad and I think they make a decently thick metal one for about 300$.

Its pretty much the best possible way to go if you're willing to spend the money, soft pads are simply not worth using as they slide around and they miss notes even if you duct-tape them down because they get all scrunched up.

As far as the actual games go I'd say get yourself a PS2 since it has DDR extreme which is definitely the best of the series.

Bull. My pad slides slightly, but notes are only missed if I am tired/missing them. Don't dis the pad I posted. I have had it for years and it is still 100% working and I have never had a problem with them. It isn't the shit ones that come with the games. Those are the ones that you have to duct tape.

Samir Duran Duran

I never was able to get nearly the same performance out of a soft pad when I played so I dunno.

It'd be nice if this was a pole thread so the OP could see how the majority of posters felt on the matter, since our advice seems to cancel each other out.

redfield85

Samir Duran Duran wrote: »

I never was able to get nearly the same performance out of a soft pad when I played so I dunno.

It'd be nice if this was a pole thread so the OP could see how the majority of posters felt on the matter, since our advice seems to cancel each other out.

I don't really consider the one I have a soft pad. It has enough weight to it to be 100x better than the cheap shit the games come with.

ArcSyn

I think the biggest thing to come away with, is since he is just starting out, go cheap and get some $20 pad and a cheap game like Hottest Party used or something to make sure you like it and enjoy it before you plop down $100-300 on good pads.

If you get through easy and medium and find yourself struggling with hard because the pads slide, then look into spending the money.

cj iwakura

redfield85 wrote: »

maximumzero wrote: »

I wish I could recommend Samba de Amigo, I really good, but the truth is that the controls can be inaccurate at the worst times.

It's a shame too because it's one of the Dreamcast's best titles.

And don't forget:

vid

I'm really quite surprised that Konami hasn't re-released it for the Wii or at least did a sequel.

I watched the first 50 seconds of that video and wanted to puke. Please tell me that was on the easiest level.

I have been DDRing it up the past week or two. I have two awesome pads for PS2. I think back in the day they were $100 a piece. I also play DDRMAX 1 & 2 (mainly 2). I have Supernova, but I think that game is shit. Just seems like they tried "Wii-ing" the game in that one (aka made for casual audience).

My pad:


Apparently they made a new one it looks like.

If that's the one with the foam insert, I also have one. They're very solid. I've played ITG 10s and 11s on them with minimal trouble, along with some edits I've made(like a 9 footer for Somnambulist).


As for DDR Mario, it's stupid easy. DDR vets need not apply.