Just Dance 2 review: Just Dance 2

When we first reviewed Just Dance, there was a certain appeal in being snarky about the gameplay and graphics. After all, who would want to dance around in their lounge room to the same songs over and over again?

7.5

Just Dance 2

The Good

Medleys and fitness options are now a part of the game. Provides a good workout. Up to eight players can take part.

The Bad

New songs are a little pricey. Nothing to unlock.

The Bottom Line

The sequel to Just Dance is everything the first game should have been. With routines, additional songs and downloadable content, the entertainment and embarrassment factor of this game is high.

Apparently, a lot of people if the comments on that review were anything to go by. Thankfully, the sequel to that game, Just Dance 2, is a much better offering. It's really the game that Just Dance should have been the first time around.

Two players dancing together. It would be sweet, apart from the fact that they're competing against each other. (Credit: Ubisoft)

With 45 new songs to choose from and the addition of downloadable content from the Wii Shop, Just Dance 2 now has longevity. Among those new tracks included in the game, which include pop, indie, classic and dance music numbers, players can face-off to songs like:

• Justice - D.A.N.C.E
• Boney M. - Rasputin
• Digitalism - Idealistic
• Jamiroquai - Cosmic Girl
• Blondie - Call Me
• MIKA - Big Girl
• Rihanna - S.O.S.
• Outkast - Hey Ya
• Elvis Presley - Viva Las Vegas
• James Brown - I Feel Good

The premise of Just Dance 2 is simple. Copy the movements of a dancer on screen while holding the Wiimote in your right hand to earn points. Up to eight players can now take part in the action, and duet dance-offs are also available. Party Mode, a new gameplay option, automatically starts a continuous medley of songs to dance to. Dancers on screen have outfits that match the genre and style of the music they are dancing to; think leg-warmers, big hair and fluoro for the '80s, and similarly hilarious ensembles for the older songs.

Flailing hair optional with Ike and Tina Turner's "Proud Mary" (Credit: Ubisoft)

Thanks to the improved gameplay — with more precise tracking of the Wiimote and actual body movements — Just Dance 2 is a lot more fun to watch as a spectator. Lyrics for songs are also provided alongside the dance moves, but there's no points for belting out a pitch-perfect tune as the game isn't compatible with a Wii microphone. The backgrounds are also animated, a marked improvement from the first game in the franchise, and feedback is immediate with the system rating dancers from "OK" to "Perfect" as the points meter fills up. Songs range in dance difficulty on a scale of one to three.

Dancers looking to use the game as a serious fitness tool can track calories through the Just Sweat! interface. That said, even just playing the game normally is likely to break the perennially unfit into a sweat after a routine or two.

Dance Battle adds further gameplay options for multiple dancers, including routines such as Simon Says (clapping, spinning or stopping movement) and Race (earning as many points as possible in the quickest time).

Extra songs available for Just Dance 2 from the Wii Shop at the time of writing include Katy Perry's "Firework" and Rihanna's "Pon de Replay". They are a bit dear though, costing 300 points each, which works out to be around AU$5 per song.

Just Dance 2 is best enjoyed with friends or as a multiplayer experience. Admittedly, dancing around like a fool (if you're uncoordinated, that is) doesn't seem as appealing when you're the only one watching. Bring a posse and enjoy the flailing and giggles brought about by dancing around in your living room.