Motion sensor games have always been a hit in the gaming world, bringing a unique blend of physical activity and entertainment right into our living rooms. Remember those days of flailing around in front of the TV? At TAG Towers, we certainly do, having explored various movement-based games. From personal experiences with games like Sports Champions – which hilariously led to a shoulder dislocation during a particularly intense gladiator duel – to in-depth previews of fitness titles like Your Shape: Fitness Evolved, the appeal of getting active while gaming has always been clear. But today, let’s take a step back from the cutting-edge motion sensor technology and revisit a classic that utilized older tech but delivered tons of fun: Just Dance 2 on the Nintendo Wii.
Having initially been skeptical about a full-body dance game relying only on the Wii Remote to track movement, it’s safe to say that initial impressions were completely wrong. Just Dance 2 is simply fantastic fun. Boasting a library of over 40 diverse tracks in the retail version, and even more available through the Wii Shop Channel, the game offers a wide range of musical styles to suit almost any taste. It’s an ideal choice for social gatherings, instantly turning any get-together into a dance party. Each song is helpfully rated for both technical difficulty and its “sweat” factor, letting you know what you’re getting into in terms of challenge and workout intensity.
The core of the game lies in its “Just Dance” mode. Up to four players can jump in and dance simultaneously, wildly waving their Wii Remotes to score points. Before each song begins, a slightly patronizing but helpful flashcard pops up, demonstrating the correct way to hold the Wii Remote. And it turns out, hand positioning is key! Holding it correctly can really make a difference in racking up those points. There have been victories secured purely based on opponents holding their controllers incorrectly, highlighting the game’s quirky but engaging mechanics.
Just Dance 2 Gameplay Stepping Moves
For those seeking a more competitive edge, “Dance Battle” mode ramps up the intensity. It features five distinct head-to-head game types, along with a team battle option that can accommodate groups of 4 to 8 players. The battle modes include:
- Classic: Everyone performs the same choreography, battling for the highest score on identical routines.
- Duet: Specially choreographed routines designed for two dance partners to perform in sync and competition.
- Simon Says: A particularly entertaining mode where players must follow instructions during the song to either dance or freeze/clap. Incorrect actions result in point deductions, adding a layer of strategic listening to the dance-off.
- Medley: A fast-paced mix of short snippets from approximately five different songs. This mode acts as a great equalizer, preventing players who know full routines from dominating based on song familiarity alone, promoting adaptability.
- Race: A straightforward point-based race where the first dancer to reach a predetermined score target wins the round, encouraging energetic and accurate move execution.
Beyond pure entertainment, Just Dance 2 also incorporates a “Workout Mode.” This feature allows players to set and monitor daily dancing goals, visually tracking progress on a chart. While not a deeply sophisticated fitness program, it’s a valuable addition for those looking to integrate dancing into their regular workout regime, providing a fun way to stay active indoors.
However, Just Dance 2 isn’t without its minor drawbacks. Ensuring the Wii Remote is properly aligned in hand can sometimes feel a bit fiddly, potentially disrupting the flow for some players. Another point, particularly relevant for party play, is the on-screen move prompts. These scrolling outlines, intended to guide dancers through upcoming moves, can be quite difficult to decipher, especially for newcomers. The game lacks a dedicated tutorial mode, meaning the initial attempts at each song can be a confusing – and often hilariously inaccurate – experience. Yet, in a typical party environment, especially in places like the UK, a bit of inaccuracy is often part of the fun. Let’s be honest, most partygoers aren’t aiming for perfect scores after a few drinks; accuracy becomes less critical, and enjoyment takes center stage. For dedicated gamers focused on leaderboards, mastering the moves isn’t a huge hurdle. The dances are fully choreographed to each song, and after a couple of playthroughs, most moves become relatively easy to grasp.
In conclusion, Just Dance 2 remains a genuinely fun and engaging dance game that offers an excellent indoor option for cardio workouts. It’s especially appealing during colder, wetter seasons when outdoor activities are less inviting. If you love to dance, are looking for an enjoyable way to get active, and don’t want to invest heavily in newer motion sensor hardware like Kinect, Just Dance 2 on the Wii is definitely worth considering. It’s a budget-friendly way to bring the dance floor into your home.
