Just Dance is a fantastic way to get everyone moving and grooving, especially on the PlayStation 4. If you’re looking for a fun, active video game experience for your family, “Just Dance Ps4” is a top pick. But before you jump into the dance floor, you might be wondering: what’s the best way to control the game? From the PlayStation Camera to smartphone apps and even classic PlayStation Move controllers, there are several options to get your groove on with Just Dance on PS4. Let’s explore the pros and cons of each controller type to help you choose the perfect setup for your family dance parties.
The PS4 Camera: Fun but Frustrating for Young Dancers?
Initially, the PlayStation Camera seems like the most intuitive way to play Just Dance. The idea of simply dancing in front of your TV, with your movements tracked and scored, is incredibly appealing. We were excited to try out Just Dance 2017 on our PS4 using the camera, hoping for a seamless and engaging experience for both adults and our five-year-old son. The promise of screen-free controllers and full-body motion tracking was a big draw, envisioning fun family workouts disguised as video game time.
However, our initial enthusiasm quickly met with some frustrating realities. While the PS4 Camera works in theory, in practice, especially with young children, it can be hit or miss. The biggest hurdle? Getting the camera to consistently recognize our five-year-old son. Setting up a game session often turned into a mini-ordeal, involving minutes of adjustments – tweaking the camera angle, fiddling with room lighting, and even asking our son to stand on a chair just to get detected. This setup time, sometimes stretching to five minutes, for a short dance session felt disproportionate and quickly dampened the fun. To add to the frustration, even after initial detection, the camera would frequently lose track of him mid-song, interrupting the flow and the fun.
Tips to Improve PS4 Camera Detection for Kids
Despite the initial challenges, we were determined to make the PS4 Camera work. Following advice from Ubisoft and online communities, we experimented with several adjustments to optimize the camera’s performance for kid detection. These tips can indeed improve the experience, especially if you are set on using the camera.
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Here’s what we learned to potentially enhance your PS4 camera setup for Just Dance, particularly when playing with younger children:
- Bright Lighting is Key: Ensure the room is well-lit. Natural light is ideal, but bright artificial lighting also works.
- Light Source Placement: Position your lights in front of you, ideally behind the TV. Avoid having strong light sources behind or to the side of the dancers, as this can create silhouettes and interfere with detection.
- Camera Height Matters: Mount the PS4 Camera above your TV. A higher position seems to improve overall detection and tracking.
- Clothing Choices: Dress in bright clothing that contrasts with your background. Brightly colored t-shirts work well. Avoid wearing clothes that blend into the background, like a white shirt against a white wall.
- Long Sleeves and Trousers: While not always practical, longer sleeves and trousers are reported to improve detection, possibly by providing more surface area for motion tracking.
- Kid-First Detection: Try having your child enter the camera’s view first. Having them stand on a chair initially can help with initial detection. Once they are recognized, adults can join in. (Interestingly, some users suggest the opposite approach, so experimentation might be needed.)
- Minimize Background Noise: Reduce movement and distractions in the camera’s field of view. Even a toddler playing nearby can be misinterpreted as noise, potentially confusing the camera and hindering proper detection of the main players.
Camera Limitations for Serious Play
While these tips can help improve the PS4 Camera experience with Just Dance, we found that even with optimized conditions, limitations remain, especially as kids become more invested in the game. Initially, when our son was new to Just Dance, the camera’s occasional tracking hiccups were less of an issue. However, as he became more skilled and competitive, wanting to earn higher scores and collect in-game rewards, the camera’s inconsistent detection became a source of frustration. For casual, party-style play with children unfamiliar with the game, the camera might suffice. But for more engaged and score-conscious gameplay, the PS4 Camera’s tracking can feel limiting.
Beyond the Camera: Exploring Controller Options for Just Dance PS4
Realizing the PS4 Camera wasn’t the ideal long-term solution for our family’s Just Dance sessions, we looked into the other controller options available for Just Dance 2017 on PS4: smartphones and PlayStation Move controllers. It’s important to note that Just Dance on PS4 doesn’t allow mixing controller types within a single game session. Everyone has to use the same control method – camera, smartphones, or PS Move.
Smartphones: Convenient but Risky (and Pricey?)
The smartphone controller option for Just Dance seems incredibly convenient at first glance. Most people already own smartphones, eliminating the need for additional hardware. This makes it a great option for impromptu dance parties with friends; up to six players can join in using their phones as motion sensors. Trying it out ourselves, we confirmed that smartphone controls work surprisingly well for adults.
However, the convenience comes with some potential downsides, particularly when kids are involved. Dancing energetically while holding a potentially expensive smartphone, without any straps for security, is a recipe for disaster. While adults might be careful, entrusting a young child with a pricey phone during a lively dance session is a gamble. We tried giving our son a smartphone to use as a controller, but he became anxious about holding it and stopped enjoying the game, preferring to go back to the camera, despite its detection issues.
This led us to consider the possibility of using dedicated, cheaper smartphones solely for Just Dance. The idea was to find a budget-friendly phone that could function as a controller, minimizing the risk and cost associated with using our primary smartphones. We quickly discovered that not just any cheap phone would work.
cheap phones with no accelerometer will not work with the Just Dance App
It turns out that for a smartphone to function as a Just Dance controller, it needs to have an accelerometer. This sensor is essential for tracking motion. Our initial attempt with a very basic, inexpensive Android phone failed because it lacked this crucial component. Even sideloading the Just Dance app didn’t bypass this hardware requirement. While tablets are technically capable, the Just Dance app is designed for smartphones, likely for safety reasons – shaking a large tablet during dancing isn’t recommended.
Finding truly cheap smartphones with accelerometers proved challenging. The cost of acquiring multiple smartphones solely for Just Dance quickly adds up, making this option less budget-friendly than initially hoped, especially when compared to other dedicated controller solutions. While convenient for adults who already have smartphones, buying phones just for Just Dance isn’t necessarily a cost-effective solution for families.
PlayStation Move Controllers: The Best Choice for Family Fun
After exploring the camera and smartphone options, we turned our attention to PlayStation Move controllers. And we discovered that for playing Just Dance 2017 with young kids, PS Move controllers are by far the best choice.
PS Move controllers are specifically designed for motion-based gaming. They are easy for small hands to hold, and their bright, glowing orbs are visually appealing to children, adding to the fun. Most importantly, they offer significantly more accurate motion tracking compared to the PS4 Camera, resolving the detection frustrations we experienced. Our son immediately took to the PS Move controllers, enjoying the tactile feel and the responsive tracking.
While PS Move controllers require an additional purchase, they provide a dedicated and reliable control method for Just Dance on PS4, especially for families with younger players. They strike a good balance between usability, accuracy, and kid-friendly design, making them our preferred controller option for Just Dance family dance-offs. And yes, to use PS Move controllers with Just Dance on PS4, you will also need the PS4 Camera to track the controllers’ movement.
How to Get Cheap PlayStation Move Controllers for Just Dance PS4
The cost of new PlayStation Move controllers can seem like a barrier. However, there are smart ways to acquire them without breaking the bank, making them a more accessible option for enjoying Just Dance on PS4. One common misconception is that PS3 Move controllers are different from PS4 Move controllers, leading to price variations and confusion.
In reality, PS3 Move controllers are compatible with the PS4 and function identically to the newer PS4-branded versions. This compatibility opens up opportunities to find cheaper PS Move controllers by looking at older PS3 bundles and used markets. The confusion likely stems from the fact that Sony heavily markets the newer 2-pack PS Move controllers alongside PlayStation VR, without explicitly stating their PS3 compatibility. Additionally, PS3 camera incompatibility with PS4 might lead some to incorrectly assume PS3 Move controllers are also incompatible.
playstation_moveSmart Ways to Find Affordable PS Move Controllers
Here are some strategies to find cheap PlayStation Move controllers for your Just Dance PS4 setup:
- Used PS3 Bundles: Explore online marketplaces like Craigslist, eBay, and local classifieds for used PS3 consoles bundled with accessories, including Move controllers. Often, people sell these bundles at reasonable prices, unaware of the current demand for Move controllers due to PSVR and Just Dance. You can potentially resell the PS3 console and other unwanted accessories to recoup your investment, effectively getting the Move controllers at a significantly reduced cost.
- Individual Used Controllers: Search for individual used PS3 Move controllers on eBay or Amazon. You can often find them sold separately at lower prices compared to new 2-packs.
- Amazon Warehouse Deals: Keep an eye on Amazon Warehouse Deals for discounted “used – like new” or “very good” condition PS3 Move bundles, particularly those associated with games like “Wonderbook: Book of Spells.” These bundles sometimes appear at surprisingly low prices due to warehouse overstock or repackaging.
- Patience and Persistence: Finding the best deals on used gaming hardware often requires patience and consistent searching. Set up alerts on eBay and other marketplaces to be notified of new listings that match your criteria.
By being resourceful and taking advantage of the used market and bundle deals, you can acquire PS Move controllers for Just Dance PS4 at a fraction of the cost of buying new ones, making this the most effective and budget-conscious solution for family dance fun.
Conclusion
Choosing the right controller for Just Dance on PS4 significantly impacts the overall experience, especially when playing with young children. While the PS4 Camera offers a controller-free option, its detection limitations, particularly with kids, can lead to frustration for more serious players. Smartphones provide convenience for adult players but pose risks and potential hidden costs when considering dedicated devices for younger users.
For families looking for the best “Just Dance PS4” experience, PlayStation Move controllers emerge as the clear winner. They offer superior motion tracking accuracy, are easy for kids to handle, and can be acquired affordably through smart shopping strategies in the used market. By opting for PS Move controllers, you can level up your family dance parties and enjoy Just Dance on PS4 to its fullest potential, ensuring fun and frustration-free groove sessions for everyone.
