Just Dance 2 Review for Nintendo Wii

System: Wii	Review Rating Legend
Dev: Ubisoft Paris	1.0 - 1.9 = Avoid	4.0 - 4.4 = Great
Pub: Ubisoft	2.0 - 2.4 = Poor	4.5 - 4.9 = Must Buy
Release: Oct. 12, 2010	2.5 - 2.9 = Average	5.0 = The Best
Players: 1-8	3.0 - 3.4 = Fair
ESRB Rating: Everyone 10+	3.5 - 3.9 = Good

Just Dance 2’s final component is Just Sweat. Though it’s no WiiFit, Just Sweat is a meaningful extra that adds lasting value to the package. You can choose between three workout programs (Mild, Tough, or Intense), setting a Sweat Points goal for yourself each day. Some basic stat tracking is included as well.

Just Dance 2 screenshot

Unfortunately, none of the gameplay modes can be played online, though there is an in-game store where you can purchase additional songs. Most tunes are priced at 300 Wii Points ($3), which I found to be a bit pricey, but there is the occasional freebie. There’s also a Warm-up mode, which includes simple stretching and yoga-style movements to get you loosened up and ready for the more demanding activities that make up Just Dance 2.

The stock selection of songs for Just Dance 2 is fairly robust, and surely there will be something here for everyone to enjoy. Certain selections, however, I could definitely live without. I Want You Back (The Jackson 5) and Sympathy For The Devil (Rolling Stones) are weather-worn tracks difficult to slog through, though tunes such as Girlfriend, Rasputin, and Toxic are all great fun to dance to. I counted over forty songs in total, not including those you can acquire from the game’s online store, and in spite of my personal taste, all of the selections seem like good choices to accompany dance.

The look of the game is also enjoyable. Just Dance 2 has a very specific style, one that features a colorful silhouette of each dancer, along with wonderfully active backgrounds reminiscent of Planet Puzzle League (DS). The dancers move with fluid, video motion, sidestepping many of the awkward movements that often accompany fully polygonal character models. There’s not a ton here to see, but in context, the game looks great.

Having not had an opportunity to play through the first game, I didn’t know what to expect from Just Dance 2. I’m not a dancer, and I generally don’t enjoy games that require me to flail wildly with the Wii Remote. Just Dance 2, however, is just plain fun. The controls aren’t exacting enough to elevate the experience to Elite Beat Agents status, but in a group setting, Just Dance 2 has a good vibe that’s contagious. Break this package out at your next party or family get-together, and you’re guaranteed to have a good time.

By Tony Capri
CCC Freelance Writer

RATING OUT OF 5

RATING DESCRIPTION

4.4

Graphics
Just Dance 2 has a great look and vibe, one that makes a nice match for the modest power of the Wii.

3.0

Control
The motions work, but just barely. Just Dance 2 gets by when it comes to mechanics. Luckily, the great fun you’ll have with the game more than makes up for its technical shortcomings.

4.3

Music / Sound FX / Voice Acting
You likely won’t care for every tune included in the mix, but there’s definitely something here for everyone. The fidelity is also topnotch.

4.5

Play Value
You’ll get a lot of bang for your buck here, even if the prices for additional tunes are a bit steep. What the game lacks in mechanical finesse it makes up for by offering pure, electric fun.

4.0

Overall Rating - Great
Not an average. See Rating legend above for a final score breakdown.

Game Features:

Chart-Topping Singles: Over forty-five top tracks, including "I Got You" by James Brown, "YMCA" by The Village People, "When I Grow Up" by Pussycat Dolls, and "Tik Tok" by Ke$ha.

Real Moves: Like its predecessor, Just Dance 2 features iconic dance moves choreographed by real experts in every style of music, rock, pop, hip hop, R&B, and world!

Just Sweat: Just Dance 2 is a workout in disguise, keeping you energized and motivated as you dance the calories away! You can also keep an eye on your fitness with the Just Dance Sweat Meter and a calorie burn counter!