Dance Dance Revolution X? Anyone Care?

Yep, inevitably, there's a new DDR game. It was announced, nobody cared. I wasn't going posting about it, but U dusted off my sneakers and hit up a DDR machine today. It was hella expensive at 1.00 for three songs and was located in a Cinemark Theaters, but it's the only SuperNova machine in South Austin. It's also the newest machine that I've played on outside of Japan. First off, I think Konami changed the machine designs. I think the SuperNova machines have pads that are more reminiscent of Pump It Up. I think this cuts down on the wear and tear but also makes the machines see less responsive and also less stable. It also seemed to be the case for the SuperNova 2 machine I played on at Planet Zero in Houston. So in the last week I've played on two new machines. What will be different for Dance Dance Revolution X? Nothing really. But even if they drastically change things, I can tell you the diminishing DDR community will still suffer, especially in Austin. It will be a good 6 months to a year before we see the new mix here. And it will probably be in the form of an old Extreme machine with an upgrade kit. There used to be a good 15 or so machines in Austin, six of them just on the University of Texas Campus. I looked at DDRFreak today when searching for a machine to play on, six listed.

The biggest problem, no one to play with. I used to go to the arcades on weeknights and there would be lines. I had to go around 3 am just so that I wouldn't have to wait five games to get a turn. I saw my DDR time decrease when I found that there was no one willing to go with. All my fellow dancers graduated or went on to pursue life ambitions. I always enjoyed practicing by myself, but to really make the experience worth it, you have to have someone socialize with. DDR is really a social game it's draw extends far beyond hitting arrows in beat with the music. It's about meeting other people and learning techniques from others. Running into someone who also played meant you were part of a club that other's didn't know about.

The arcade's downfall came when home consoles caught up to the arcade cabinets and DDR was no different. The Home Versions are great. I don't feel they deliver the same experience, especially with the peripheral's concern. But new players get to experience the music game without having to look like an idiot and get laughed at or being embarrassed. But again that was half of the fun of going to play in the arcade. When you failed and didn't know what was going on, that's when you'd make friends and that's how you would improve. Sure there were assholes, but that's the same in any game that had an actual human element. It's great that there is a new DDR mix. I've been tired of SuperNova for a while now, but unless there's a new machine and people to play with, this will be just another half release that will do semi well on the home consoles.

David