Liu
(?)Community Member
Offline
- Posted: Fri, 27 Jun 2003 19:24:32 +0000
Dance Dance Revolution thread on Gaia Online: First Post Update!
By: Trick Master Mint
What is Dance Dance Revolution (or DDR)?
Dance Dance Revolution is, in short, a rhythm game with a large four-panel controller that you use your feet to play. The premise is simple: Arrows (left, down, up, and right) will scroll up the screen in time to a song, and the object is to hit the directional panel in beat with the corresponding arrow. Your accuracy is graded by the following ratings:
- Marvelous/Marvellous!!! (Only available in Nonstop/Oni Courses and DDR Extreme 2/Str!ke)
- Perfect!!
- Great!
- Good
- Boo/Almost (Almosts appear on DDR home versions and DDR Supernova AC in the US)
- Miss/Boo (Boos replace Misses on DDR home versions and DDR Supernova AC in the US)
Grades are issues when the song ends and can range from E (song failure) to AAA (getting all Perfects). For all intents and purposes, a Marvelous counts as a Perfect.
DDR Song Lists:
Song genres range from J-Pop to Trance to Happy Hardcore, and each song is about 1:30, give or take (DDR 6th Mix's Nori Nori Nori is much shorter, whereas DDR 7th Mix's Kakumei is much longer.) For full songlists of each mix, refer to the following website(s):
- http://www.ddrfreak.com/versions/listver.php (features most of the song lists from some of the DDR mixes; it is incomplete and does not feature lists for games like DDR Str!ke and DDR Mario Mix)
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dance_Dance_Revolution (each mix is separated into its own article, and the song lists are linked or listed in each article)
Ranking System:
There is currently a ranking website for those who would like to keep track of their DDR scores in an organized fashion called DDRecall. Only arcade scores are accepted, due to the larger Perfect window (also addressed below in the FAQ).
- http://www.ddrecall.com/ (the site also features a record-keeping system for In The Groove called "GrooveTrack", but it is much less popular than the other ITG record site "GrooveStats")
Other Rhythm Games:
There are a few other popular rhythm games that will be referred to or discussed in the thread (links to related sites are at the bottom of the post):
Pump It Up! - Pump It Up! (PIU) is Korean company Andamiro's 5-Panel Rhythm Game that is very similar in premise to DDR but features a very different grading system and is home to some of the most stamina-draining stepcharts in any dance game. A few of the more notable are the Nightmare charts for the songs "Dignity", "Love Is A Danger Zone 2", and "Canon-D". Gaia Online user aokiqiao has created a Pump It Up! thread, but the link is currently unknown. PIU currently has eight international arcade releases but only one console release: Pump It Up! Exceed.
In The Groove - In The Groove (ITG) was Seattle-based company RoXoR Games's answer to DDR. It features the exact same arrow layout as DDR and offers song mods only previously available in Stepmania, a DDR simulation game for the PC. It is most noted for having harder charts than DDR, as DDR features songs with difficulty ratings of 1-10 whereas ITG ranges from 1-13. Its most popular songs that feature incredibly hard charts include Pandemonium, VerTex^2, Euphoria, Summer ~Speedy Mix~, Determinator, and Bloodrush. ITG has two arcade releases and one console release.
beatmania IIDX - beatmania IIDX is a rhythm game from the makers of DDR (beatmania is actually the first rhythm game ever made). It features 7 keys and a turntable, each that are hit in tune with songs. The game features an incredibly small timing window and offers a very steep learning curve, which has turned many players off to the game. beatmania IIDX currently has 13+ arcade releases (with its beatmania predecessor having a variety of other releases), 11+ Japanese console releases, and one US console release under the name "beatmania". Gaia Online user RePure has created a beatmania IIDX thread.
Pop'n Music - Pop'n Music is a rhythm game similar to IIDX featuring nine bubble-like buttons. It too has a multitude of arcade and console releases and is most noted for having the largest range of genres in rhythm gaming.
Stepmania - Stepmania is a popular DDR/ITG simulator available for free at Stepmania.com. It features a variety of customizable themes and noteskins, and one can even upload or create their own songs for play. More information about Stepmania is available at their website.
Flash Flash Revolution - Flash Flash Revolution (FFR) is a flash-based DDR simulator. It is widely considered very inferior to Stepmania or the lesser-played Dance With Intensity (the precursor to Stepmania) as it is said to have a terrible interface and annoying gameplay mechanics. It is available at FlashFlashRevolution.com.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q: Has anyone ever passed (song name) on (difficulty)?
A: Yes. Every song on DDR, including the new tracks on Supernova, has been cleared. The same can be said for ITG. There are a few Nightmare charts on PIU that have not been passed by one person alone (such as the song "Raw" wink .
Q: What kind of shoes should I wear on a pad? Should I even wear shoes?
A: Wear what feels comfortable, but yes, WEAR SHOES. I am aware that some people own soft Konami/3rd-party pads that are incompatible with shoes. In those circumstances, which would involve home versions, that's fine. However, when playing in the arcade, wear shoes. Not wearing shoes is both unsarity (no one likes foot sweat on their pad) and dangerous (many people have the gashes to prove it). Screws are no laughing matter.
Q: I want a metal pad. What kind should I get?
A: The two most popular metal pads are the Cobalt Flux and the RedOctane Afterburner. The kind you get should be based on preference and how big your wallet is. Visit the two sites (links are available below) and compare. An alternative is to check sites like eBay for cheaper but still well-made pads and the like.
Q: I got a AA on Healing Vision (Angelic Mix) on DDRMAX for my PS2! Does it count?
A: While AAing "HVAM" is certainly one of those notable landmarks for lower-level DDR players, Home Versions available on the PS2 offer very different gameplay mechanics that make your score less than legitimate. Home versions feature larger timing windows, so getting Perfects is much easier to do. In addition, a mere full combo will give you a AA in every PS2 DDR release. Arcade timing windows are smaller, and full combos with high Great counts will not reward you with AAs. This is the main reason why sites such as DDRecall do not allow Home Version scores: they are simply easier to get.
Q: I can beat anybody at this game. Who wants to take me on?
A: Unless you're Lil Q, BlueMystic, Damien, Dukamok, MegamanX, Jboy, Gay Goblin, CXZ, DjStunna, cha0ticz, Adam Styles, qkumbr, or any of the documented best players in the world, you are probably not going to impress anyone. This is not an attack on new players, this is an attack on arrogance. It has no place in the DDR community, and unless you have proof to back up your claims, your words are empty.
Q: When is (dance game) coming out?
A: Check the official website, read a popular gaming website, or contact your local gaming retailer.
Q: How should I post in this thread?
A: Lurk and read the last few pages. The thread is so big that it would be stupid to read the entire thing, but the least you can do is read up on the current topic of discussion and see if what you want to talk about or know is being addressed. It prevents a lot of unnecessity. Also, don't spam or bump the sticky. You will be reported very quickly.
Q: What is a good freestyle routine?
A: If you really would like to discuss freestyles, feel free to do so. There are a few outdated guides on DDRFreak. However, dance game freestyle is no longer popular, and as such, it is a good rule of thumb to basically not waste your time. Sometimes, tournaments will feature freestyle divisions, but it's very rare nowadays. It's really in your best interests to not worry about it. Also, if you do someone else's routine, everyone will hate you.
Related Links (not elsewhere in the post):
http://www.konami.com/gs/gameslist.php?genreid=9 - Official Konami listing of all US-released Dance Dance Revolution games, among a few other games.
http://www.andamiro.com/ - Official website of Andamiro, creators of Pump It Up!
http://www.roxorgames.com/ - Official website of RoXoR Games, creators of In The Groove.
http://www.bemanistyle.com/ - A popular Bemani forum that feature Stepmania simfiles, a Bemani forum, and a generally smart staff that can answer any questions you may have.
http://www.ddrfreak.com/ - A popular DDR website featuring a forum, song lists and charts, and other interesting information.
http://www.musicineverydirection.com/ - Konami's Official Music Game website. Includes info about their music games and offers music samples!
http://www.cobaltflux.com/ - Home of the Cobalt Flux metal pad.
http://www.redoctane.com/redoctanemetalpad.html - Home of the RedOctane Afterburner metal pad.
Due to its shrinking utility, this thread will no longer be stickied. Everyone is free to keep posting, but conversation on this subject is no longer restrained to this thread. There are no plans to make a replacement sticky for DDR or similar rhythm games.
By: Trick Master Mint
What is Dance Dance Revolution (or DDR)?
Dance Dance Revolution is, in short, a rhythm game with a large four-panel controller that you use your feet to play. The premise is simple: Arrows (left, down, up, and right) will scroll up the screen in time to a song, and the object is to hit the directional panel in beat with the corresponding arrow. Your accuracy is graded by the following ratings:
- Marvelous/Marvellous!!! (Only available in Nonstop/Oni Courses and DDR Extreme 2/Str!ke)
- Perfect!!
- Great!
- Good
- Boo/Almost (Almosts appear on DDR home versions and DDR Supernova AC in the US)
- Miss/Boo (Boos replace Misses on DDR home versions and DDR Supernova AC in the US)
Grades are issues when the song ends and can range from E (song failure) to AAA (getting all Perfects). For all intents and purposes, a Marvelous counts as a Perfect.
DDR Song Lists:
Song genres range from J-Pop to Trance to Happy Hardcore, and each song is about 1:30, give or take (DDR 6th Mix's Nori Nori Nori is much shorter, whereas DDR 7th Mix's Kakumei is much longer.) For full songlists of each mix, refer to the following website(s):
- http://www.ddrfreak.com/versions/listver.php (features most of the song lists from some of the DDR mixes; it is incomplete and does not feature lists for games like DDR Str!ke and DDR Mario Mix)
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dance_Dance_Revolution (each mix is separated into its own article, and the song lists are linked or listed in each article)
Ranking System:
There is currently a ranking website for those who would like to keep track of their DDR scores in an organized fashion called DDRecall. Only arcade scores are accepted, due to the larger Perfect window (also addressed below in the FAQ).
- http://www.ddrecall.com/ (the site also features a record-keeping system for In The Groove called "GrooveTrack", but it is much less popular than the other ITG record site "GrooveStats")
Other Rhythm Games:
There are a few other popular rhythm games that will be referred to or discussed in the thread (links to related sites are at the bottom of the post):
Pump It Up! - Pump It Up! (PIU) is Korean company Andamiro's 5-Panel Rhythm Game that is very similar in premise to DDR but features a very different grading system and is home to some of the most stamina-draining stepcharts in any dance game. A few of the more notable are the Nightmare charts for the songs "Dignity", "Love Is A Danger Zone 2", and "Canon-D". Gaia Online user aokiqiao has created a Pump It Up! thread, but the link is currently unknown. PIU currently has eight international arcade releases but only one console release: Pump It Up! Exceed.
In The Groove - In The Groove (ITG) was Seattle-based company RoXoR Games's answer to DDR. It features the exact same arrow layout as DDR and offers song mods only previously available in Stepmania, a DDR simulation game for the PC. It is most noted for having harder charts than DDR, as DDR features songs with difficulty ratings of 1-10 whereas ITG ranges from 1-13. Its most popular songs that feature incredibly hard charts include Pandemonium, VerTex^2, Euphoria, Summer ~Speedy Mix~, Determinator, and Bloodrush. ITG has two arcade releases and one console release.
beatmania IIDX - beatmania IIDX is a rhythm game from the makers of DDR (beatmania is actually the first rhythm game ever made). It features 7 keys and a turntable, each that are hit in tune with songs. The game features an incredibly small timing window and offers a very steep learning curve, which has turned many players off to the game. beatmania IIDX currently has 13+ arcade releases (with its beatmania predecessor having a variety of other releases), 11+ Japanese console releases, and one US console release under the name "beatmania". Gaia Online user RePure has created a beatmania IIDX thread.
Pop'n Music - Pop'n Music is a rhythm game similar to IIDX featuring nine bubble-like buttons. It too has a multitude of arcade and console releases and is most noted for having the largest range of genres in rhythm gaming.
Stepmania - Stepmania is a popular DDR/ITG simulator available for free at Stepmania.com. It features a variety of customizable themes and noteskins, and one can even upload or create their own songs for play. More information about Stepmania is available at their website.
Flash Flash Revolution - Flash Flash Revolution (FFR) is a flash-based DDR simulator. It is widely considered very inferior to Stepmania or the lesser-played Dance With Intensity (the precursor to Stepmania) as it is said to have a terrible interface and annoying gameplay mechanics. It is available at FlashFlashRevolution.com.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q: Has anyone ever passed (song name) on (difficulty)?
A: Yes. Every song on DDR, including the new tracks on Supernova, has been cleared. The same can be said for ITG. There are a few Nightmare charts on PIU that have not been passed by one person alone (such as the song "Raw" wink .
Q: What kind of shoes should I wear on a pad? Should I even wear shoes?
A: Wear what feels comfortable, but yes, WEAR SHOES. I am aware that some people own soft Konami/3rd-party pads that are incompatible with shoes. In those circumstances, which would involve home versions, that's fine. However, when playing in the arcade, wear shoes. Not wearing shoes is both unsarity (no one likes foot sweat on their pad) and dangerous (many people have the gashes to prove it). Screws are no laughing matter.
Q: I want a metal pad. What kind should I get?
A: The two most popular metal pads are the Cobalt Flux and the RedOctane Afterburner. The kind you get should be based on preference and how big your wallet is. Visit the two sites (links are available below) and compare. An alternative is to check sites like eBay for cheaper but still well-made pads and the like.
Q: I got a AA on Healing Vision (Angelic Mix) on DDRMAX for my PS2! Does it count?
A: While AAing "HVAM" is certainly one of those notable landmarks for lower-level DDR players, Home Versions available on the PS2 offer very different gameplay mechanics that make your score less than legitimate. Home versions feature larger timing windows, so getting Perfects is much easier to do. In addition, a mere full combo will give you a AA in every PS2 DDR release. Arcade timing windows are smaller, and full combos with high Great counts will not reward you with AAs. This is the main reason why sites such as DDRecall do not allow Home Version scores: they are simply easier to get.
Q: I can beat anybody at this game. Who wants to take me on?
A: Unless you're Lil Q, BlueMystic, Damien, Dukamok, MegamanX, Jboy, Gay Goblin, CXZ, DjStunna, cha0ticz, Adam Styles, qkumbr, or any of the documented best players in the world, you are probably not going to impress anyone. This is not an attack on new players, this is an attack on arrogance. It has no place in the DDR community, and unless you have proof to back up your claims, your words are empty.
Q: When is (dance game) coming out?
A: Check the official website, read a popular gaming website, or contact your local gaming retailer.
Q: How should I post in this thread?
A: Lurk and read the last few pages. The thread is so big that it would be stupid to read the entire thing, but the least you can do is read up on the current topic of discussion and see if what you want to talk about or know is being addressed. It prevents a lot of unnecessity. Also, don't spam or bump the sticky. You will be reported very quickly.
Q: What is a good freestyle routine?
A: If you really would like to discuss freestyles, feel free to do so. There are a few outdated guides on DDRFreak. However, dance game freestyle is no longer popular, and as such, it is a good rule of thumb to basically not waste your time. Sometimes, tournaments will feature freestyle divisions, but it's very rare nowadays. It's really in your best interests to not worry about it. Also, if you do someone else's routine, everyone will hate you.
Related Links (not elsewhere in the post):
http://www.konami.com/gs/gameslist.php?genreid=9 - Official Konami listing of all US-released Dance Dance Revolution games, among a few other games.
http://www.andamiro.com/ - Official website of Andamiro, creators of Pump It Up!
http://www.roxorgames.com/ - Official website of RoXoR Games, creators of In The Groove.
http://www.bemanistyle.com/ - A popular Bemani forum that feature Stepmania simfiles, a Bemani forum, and a generally smart staff that can answer any questions you may have.
http://www.ddrfreak.com/ - A popular DDR website featuring a forum, song lists and charts, and other interesting information.
http://www.musicineverydirection.com/ - Konami's Official Music Game website. Includes info about their music games and offers music samples!
http://www.cobaltflux.com/ - Home of the Cobalt Flux metal pad.
http://www.redoctane.com/redoctanemetalpad.html - Home of the RedOctane Afterburner metal pad.
Due to its shrinking utility, this thread will no longer be stickied. Everyone is free to keep posting, but conversation on this subject is no longer restrained to this thread. There are no plans to make a replacement sticky for DDR or similar rhythm games.
