Genius or madness? Or both?

[kellinator]

alison_says has introduced me to Dance Dance Revolution, and while I suck at it, I thought it was a lot of fun. Which for me is saying something, because I hate to exercise. Really. I get on the exercise bike and within five minutes I'm bored and tired. I know it's a lot to spend for a system and all (I'm thinking probably PS2, though I haven't ruled out XBox), but when you compare it to the cost of a gym membership or an elliptical trainer, it's not so bad. Of course, if you don't use your elliptical trainer then you'll probably just hang clothes on it, whereas with a game system you could play other games too. I'm not sure if this is a good or a bad thing.

[Poll #416188]

And by the way, if you're selling a system, email me.

EDIT: missakins pointed out that I could play it on the PS1 as well. Maybe I should go that route; it's cheaper. Any opinions?

Comments

[gesundyke]

*keyboard keyboard revolution*

[lula-fortune.livejournal.com]

I am planning to do just that, once the tax refund rolls in.

[missakins.livejournal.com]

you can get a couple older ddr games and pads for old regular playstation. I have an extra one I'll give you if you want.

Re: PS DDR

[wolfieboy.livejournal.com]

The funny thing is that I've been thinking just that for myself. I don't get to the gym as often as I want to...

[azurelunatic]

I think the people who make a big deal about DDR not being "real" exercise, and scoff at the idea of anyone getting any benefits from it underestimate the Power of Geek, and the fact that it counts as "game time" that's actually spent in motion vs. on the couch.

I wouldn't mind getting into DDR myself, in point of fact. Hm.

[jack-mccoy-fan1.livejournal.com]

PS2's are much cheaper than they were a year ago and more streamline. You can use it like an extra DVD player.

I used to have a PS1, but they're really flimsy and what the hell, splurge and get the PS2. DDR is pretty intoxicating.

[wintersweet.livejournal.com]

Seconded, although I can't play most commercial DVDs on my PS2, because it gets this annoying scrolling darkening line.

Anyway, with a PS2 you can play PS1 games (cheap!) and PS2 games. I buy nearly all my games used--I think Katamari Damacy was the one exception, and hell, it's so much fun it practically justifies a PS2 on its own.

we plan to buy DDR and pads after we move, assuming I can find a pad that will accomodate my Enormous Feet.

Scrolling line

[tall-man.livejournal.com]

Do you have your PS2 signal going through something before it gets to the TV? A VCR, perhaps, or cable box? Most commercial DVD's are recorded with Macrovision copy protection, which does just that when there's another device between the video source and the TV. If this is the case, try plugging the PS2's RCA outputs directly into the TV.

There are also inline add-on units that will remove the Macrovision signal from the video signal, and voila, clear pictures again. This is useful if your TV doesn't have RCA-in jacks.

Re: Scrolling line

[wintersweet.livejournal.com]

Oh, apparently my husband knew all this but no one had told me. *G* We would need one of the widgets, apparently. Although hopefully we'll get a new TV soon--this one is the size of a computer monitor, really, and I can't read PS2 RPG menus on it sometimes. :p

Thanks for the info!

Re: Scrolling line

[polychromatic22.livejournal.com]

RF modulator.
I love saying that, i feel like I'm going to blow up the world any second...

[trillian42.livejournal.com]

http://www.stepmania.com/stepmania/

Version for the computer. Works on PCs, may have a Mac release by now. All you'd have to buy is the dance pad and a little doohickey that converts the PS connection to a USB connection. Then you can find song-packs online. If you end up doing that, let me know, I can burn about 7 or 8 "albums" to a CD and send them to you.

Get the PS2.

[tall-man.livejournal.com]

There is a PS1 DDR game, but the PS2 games are much better, IMO. Time for a bulleted list!

• The PS1 DDR game that I'm familiar with (DDR Konamix) doesn't have a beginner mode, it just starts you on light -- which doesn't sound all that bad, until you keep failing. And failing. Beginner mode helps get you into the swing of things, while light is for when you kind of already know how to step.
• The sound quality is much better on the PS2 version, and that does help -- especially if you want to enjoy your exercising, listening to something that sounds like a monaural 12kbps .MP3 isn't good.
• The song selection in the other games is broader. Konamix is heavily tilted towards pure JPop and dance remixes, while MAX, MAX2, and Extreme have everything from remixes of Bach and Greig to electronica. Hell, Extreme even has Duran Duran (Reflex, if you're interested)!
• There will be more releases for the PS2, probably including more DDR. The PS1 is all but dead, from a developer's perspective. There are several DDR releases for the PS1, but the only one that you can find easily is Konamix. Also, if you have to have DDR: Disney Mix, for example, the PS2 is backward-compatible with the PS1 -- all you need is a PS1 memory card to store data on.
• The PS2 doubles as a DVD player. Not all that cool, in this age of sub-$50 DVD players, but still, a nice bonus. And it plays DVD's without needing an add-on, unlike the Xbox (although Xbox hacking allows for much cooler stuff to be done than PS2 hacking, since the Xbox is essentially a small PC with a big graphics card -- that's another discussion entirely)

Re: Get the PS2.

[tall-man.livejournal.com]

Oh. If you get the PS2, get a good pad. The flimsy soft pads suck.

I recommend KeepGaming (http://www.keepgaming.com/ddr.htm) for DDR pads. We got a game and 2 pads for it for work (heh, working in a preschool has interesting shopping potential sometimes...) for cheap. Right now, you can get one of the games and a heavy-duty metal pad (mmm... metal dance pad...) for under $200. With a PS2, that's just under $400, but considering that's about what people pay for a stationary bike...

If you want to go for a less expensive route, there are semi-rigid pad combos there for like $80. I'd avoid the really cheap soft pads -- they die easily, and slide around on carpet like mad. But, KeepGaming has a game and 2 pads for under $65.

[rocketmelee.livejournal.com]

XBox has the best DDR game (Ultramix 2), which includes a really good workout mode and an EXCELLENT training mode (which helps you stop being quite as sucky a lot sooner). I got Ultramix and Ultramix2 (ie, the awesome one) for Christmas, and they totally rock. Also, I love my XBox way more than my brother loves his PS2, and he REALLY wishes he had asked for an Xbox last year instead.

Oh, and Ultramix2 has The Commodores Brick House and a remix of that silly song from Flashdance. Giving it the highest Geek Factor.

[thermidor.livejournal.com]

dude, I so want to try that!

[voltbang.livejournal.com]

DDR parties at our place, every month or so.

[stronae.livejournal.com]

Well, the Localcrew did it in place of Basketball for awhile. :) It's not the best on the ankles (particularly if you have a hard floor), but aside from that, it *is* fun. Especially when you can get a friend to do it with you -- progress at roughly the same rate, and keep each other in check. Good stuff.