DanceDanceRevolution Hottest Party 3

$70, Wii

Teaches: music, dancing, lower body coordination, rhythm, temporal relations

CTR Rating: 88%

CTR Review

This latest version of DDR adds the ability to combine Dance Mat Controllers (one or two) with Wii Remotes and the Wii Balance Board, incorporating upper body movements such as punches, giving your whole body a workout. If you're looking for state-of-the-art dancing program, look no further. After you choose an avatar, you can pick your own customized look, or choose one of your Mii avatars to represent you, in one of three modes of play: Work Out Mode, Story Mode, and Kids Modes with simpler controls. Our testers, aged 8 and 11 promptly skipped the kid's mode and were quickly in over their heads. Fortunately, a Lesson Mode allows you to practice timing and the direction of arrows, for those who may be unfamiliar with the DDR concept. Content includes 50 songs including Disturbia - Rihanna, Viva La Vide - Coldplay, and Just Dance - Lady Gaga. The game comes bundled with one dance mat controller that plugs into the old (round) GameCube game controller port; a second can be plugged into one of the other ports. Developed by Bemanie for Konami. Also available on the PS2, called Dance Dance Revolution X2, for $40. This PS2 version features the new Dice Master Mode, where you move your dancer through the map by rolling the dice, and then accept the given challenge according to the instructions of the area where they stopped. The bottom line? You get what you expect with DDRHP3, although it is a lot more fun with two players.