Dance Dance Revolution: Disney Mix

• Release Date: September 20, 2001
• Genre: Simulation
• Style: Dancing Sim
• Similar Games: Bust A Groove 2 (PlayStation), Dance Dance Revolution (PlayStation), Superstar Dance Club (PlayStation)

Game Description

This second U.S. release in the Dance Dance Revolution series features remixed versions of classic Disney songs, including the Mickey Mouse March, Chim Chim Cher-ee and Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious. There is also a selection of non-Disney dance tunes, bringing the total number of songs to 20. For beginners, there are lesson and training modes that let players get adjusted to basic concepts of DDR and practice specific songs.

Exclusive to this version is the Dance Magic mode, in which players share a dance meter that shifts between from one performer to another depending on how well they are doing. Whoever has a larger portion of the meter at the end of the round is the winner. Dance combos fill up the combo meter, which releases "dance magic" when full. This magic does damage to your opponent such as inserting random steps or speeding up their arrows.

Although based on the Japanese Dance Dance Revolution: Disney's Rave, the U.S. version features several changes and additions for the American audience. Disney's Rave featured an assortment of American songs like Surfin' U.S.A. and Macarena, but most of these have been replaced by tunes from previous Japanese installments of DDR, such as Share My Love and Higher. A third level of difficulty, Maniac mode, has also been added, and can be unlocked by passing every song in Trick mode.

Review: Overall

Considering Konami's under-the-radar release of Dance Dance Revolution for the U.S. PlayStation, it's surprising and encouraging they were willing to give Disney Mix a chance. Maybe they thought a younger audience would have a more open mind to the series' unorthodox gameplay. But it's unfortunate that Konami didn't release a more comprehensive and mainstream choice like the stellar 4th Mix, since the audience for Disney Mix falls into two distinct categories: younger players and DDR fanatics.

Although the Disney theme instantly ghettoizes the game as a children's title, Disney Mix should also be fun for those who love DDR and don't mind trying something a little different. The Dance Magic mode alone is worth the price of admission for fans, since it drastically changes the feel of the game, giving it the aura of a fighting title complete with combos and special moves. Whether it's against the CPU or another player, the unpredictability of this mode will keep you on your toes, literally.

For younger players, the Lesson mode is perfect for teaching everything from the most basic steps all the way up to more complex maneuvers. While experts won't find anything new in this mode, it's the best way for new players to learn how to "dance." The difficulty of the main game ranges from very easy to insanely hard, making it appropriate for all skill levels. Anyone who thinks this is just a kid's game should try Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious in Maniac mode.

Ultimately, a DDR game is made or broken on the song selection, and it's here where Disney Mix falls short. There are only 20 songs (two of which are remixes of remixes), less than half of 4th Mix, which had close to 50. And frankly, the Disney songs are embarrassing to play, even by DDR standards.

But neither the Disney characters nor the songs really seem out of place in the DDR environment, which was already colorful and rather bubble-gummy to begin with. And since only nine of the songs are Disney-related, there's enough additional content to keep from totally overdosing on Mickey and his pals. The game runs entirely in high-res mode, and the polished 2D background animations are in many ways an improvement over the polygonal characters found in regular DDR games.

Dance Dance Revolution: Disney Mix obviously isn't for everyone, since the double whammy of DDR and Disney means it won't appeal to a large section of the gaming population. But it's a good choice for kids, or fans willing to play anything related to the series.

Review: Enjoyment

The worlds of DDR and Disney fit together very well, and if you're not fundamentally against a game where you dance along to a techno version of "Macho Duck," you'll have a good time.

Review: Graphics

The sharp background animation features famous Disney characters and syncs well to the music.

Review: Sound

A limited but listenable selection of music, although you have to get past the inherent cheesiness of it all.

Review: Replay Value

In addition to the addictiveness of normal {*DDR}, the Dance Magic mode adds an entirely new dimension to the gameplay.

Review: Documentation

The black-and-white instruction manual is average, but the in-game lesson mode is an extremely valuable way for new players to learn {*DDR}.

Production Credits