Dance Dance Revolution Ultramix (Xbox, 2003)

First off let's get this straight- I'm a crazy hardcore DDR fiend. Was I impressed with this game? The answer is NO my friends. But why did I give it a "great" rating? because this game is "great" for any DDR beginners. In fact out of all the DDR games, this is the best game for any novice dancers. I found that the difficulty of the game was too easy for me and that's why I recommend that hardcore DDR fans stray from this game. Compared to other DDR games, the hardest level on this game is like a "standard" song on the other games in the series. I've also found this game very lenient as to how it rates your timing, it's almost impossible to get an overwhelming amount of goods or greats if you try. You'll find this to be almost opposite in the other games as they are much more strict. But, again this is exactly what beginners need so overall this will help you to get good much faster than the other games will. The graphics of the game are actually better than the PS2 DDRs so I'll compliment this game on that. The game features 3D environments as backgrounds for the songs you play. The background corresponds with the areas in the story so there are a few different locations. It's also fun to watch mario and luigi dance and their animations are cooler than the other games in the series. Bowser and a few other bad guys dance against you as well to add a little more variety, although you cannot play as them. :( (Bowser has some wicked awesome dance moves!) I also like the sound of the game, it's basically a bunch of different mario remix tunes. The remixes are quite good and most are fun to step to. But... this game has like no frickin' songs compared to other DDRs!!! 28 songs..... jump for joy!!! Now that's what I'm talking about!!! Yeah frickin' right!! AGAIN ONLY FOR BEGINNERS!!!!! If your a hardcore DDR fan you will grow bored of the music way too fast, especially if you have of the other DDRs. If you play for several hours at a time, the music will become horribly repetitious, and you'll probably never want to play again!!! And oh yeah... that stupid story mode!!! What was konami trying to do here!?! There's no point in having it because dialogue is retarded and the storyline is annoying and almost unbearable. Not to mention the only way to unlock your "extensive library" of 28 songs you play through this at least 2 times. Now that sucks!!! BOTTOM LINE: hardcore DDR fans, it isn't worth your time or money, and DDR beginners I encourage you to start on this game if you've never played before, unless you don't have a gamecube. Nuff said. I covered pretty much everything. If you want to know anything else about the game just ask. :)