MCX Reviews: Dance Dance Revolution SuperNOVA (PS2)

User Rating: 9.2 | Dance Dance Revolution SuperNOVA (Bundle) PS2
When you mention a music game, it's most likely someone will think of Dance Dance Revolution. The series started in 1998 and there is no sign of slowing down (arcade or console). After 3 years in hiatus (in the arcade), Dance Dance Revolution SuperNOVA came back with a bang with 500+ songs and cool background stages. The question is: will the console version be as good as the arcade? Well, read on and "Let's DDR".

Story: Well... there isn't a story unless you count the Stellar Master Mode where you must get these VIP cards by winning showdowns to go to new stellar joints and become the best dancer. So.... nothing else.

Graphics: In my opinion, I think the graphics are pretty cool. The dancing stages are basicly a Tron-like setting and is probably the best Bemani did in the graphics department. The songlist wheel is the same as last year was with Extreme 2, but is now brownish with a colored moving background behind it. Who cares? The wheel this year is cool looking just like the arcade. Speaking of songlists...

Sound: The songs are a welcome change and it's something for everybody. The licenses range from the wisely picked( Paul Van Dyk, Armin Van Buuren, and some awesome 80's tunes), to the "Meh" (Franz Fernidad), to the "Oh god, what were they thinking?!" (Dance, Dance by Fall Out Boy? are you f***ing serious? It does not fit DDR in any way). The Konami originals made me happy to see songs from Beatmania IIDX (Rainbow Rainbow, Love Is Dreaminess, MurMur Twins,etc.) and most of the new songs from the arcade (Innocence of Scilence is my favorite). Out of all the PS2 DDR games, this is the best list yet. There's more I want to tell you about it, but It has to be mentioned in...

Gameplay: You can use that EyeToy that's been hanging in your closet for Hands and Feet, but who's really going to play that? The online mode is much, much more improved than last year (you can now pick the songs you want, go to tournaments and chat). Oh yeah, did I mention that there are some songs that are exclusive to online play? The Stellar Master mode is better than Dance Master mode from last year, you gotta play it for yourself. If you're new to the franchise, the tutorial has a voice to tell you when you can step and Stellar Master Mode can sometimes give you helpful advice on the way.

Bottom Line: Whether you're new to the franchise or not, you will have a blast with SuperNOVA.