Just Dance 3 Review for Nintendo Wii (Wii)

System: Wii, PS3, Xbox 360
Dev: Ubisoft Paris
Pub: Ubisoft
Release: October 7, 2011
Players: 1-8
Screen Resolution: 480p-720p	Lyrics

Ubisoft has added some extra incentives to keep you drenching your favorite shirt with perspiration. This comes in the form of unlockables and medals. Unlocks are gained after obtaining the previously mentioned Mojo stars. After racking up fifteen stars from a few dance rounds, your prize will be revealed and available. Most of the 27 unlockables come in the form of Dance Mash-ups, which blend different dance styles into one song, the even more challenging Smart Shuffle, and the eight-player Flash Mobs. But the first you'll unlock is called Simon Says, which is exactly what it sounds like. While going through the dance motions, you'll suddenly be prompted to stop, shake, clap, or spin to gain a sizeable bonus. The clash of the dance and the minigame breaks a lot of the rhythm, but it's also the easiest way to score five Mojo stars every time. So if you're looking to quickly unlock everything, keep doing what Simon says. The medals won't be as easy to collect, but getting those bronze, silver, and gold awards are great for bragging rights and personal glory. A few are obtained just by persistent playing, but some require near perfect scores on every song, and others can only be acquired with the help of friends (who also need to be adept dancers).

Just Dance 3 Screenshot

It's hard to imagine Just Dance 3 pushing the neon visuals further than its predecessor, but your eyes are completely bombarded with orange, green, blue, and purple fluorescents. It may seem like a bit much, but following the onscreen avatar has never been easier. The backgrounds are hit-or-miss, depending on the song, with some capturing the theme of the lyrics and others just displaying bland geometric shapes pulsating to the beat.

The sound resonates perfectly throughout, as it should considering this is a game about music. Each track is crystal clear, and Ubisoft used proper technical skills with the in-game Dolby Digital—so much, in fact, that even substandard stereo TVs can crank out a smooth sound. The virtual cheering section and other effects are nice, but subdued as to not drown out the music itself.

A few extra unlockables, some medals to earn, and a cardio mode may not seem like innovative alternatives, but remember that Ubisoft plainly puts their intentions for you in the title: Just Dance. This official third version tightens up the core aspects with bold visuals, responsive motion controls, and crisp sounds. And with weekly additions to the song library available for purchase, you can always count on some fresh vibes and a new playlist for your next party night.

By Sean Engemann
CCC Contributing Writer

RATING OUT OF 5

RATING DESCRIPTION

3.1

Graphics
The bold colors add to the energy of the dance, but they're still rather simple, and some of the backgrounds are boring.

3.5

Control
The motion controls for the Wii are tightest the series has seen. Oddly enough, scanning the menus with conventional controls is the frustrating part.

4.8

Music / Sound FX / Voice Acting
Every song sounds great, even if you're not a fan of the artist. A few watered down effects bring the perfect score down a couple fractions.

3.4

Play Value
Unlockables and medals add some replayability, but it's still just about the dancing.

3.7

Overall Rating - Good
Not an average. See Rating legend below for a final score breakdown.

Review Rating Legend
0.1 - 1.9 = Avoid	2.5 - 2.9 = Average	3.5 - 3.9 = Good	4.5 - 4.9 = Must Buy
2.0 - 2.4 = Poor	3.0 - 3.4 = Fair	4.0 - 4.4 = Great	5.0 = The Best

Game Features:

Top Of The Charts: Over 40 all-new tracks, ranging from chart-topping hits to classic dance party tracks! There's something for all tastes so everyone will find their groove. Want more songs? Download from an expanding catalogue of new tracks from the in-game store.

Dance Crew Mode: With now up to 4 concurrent dance routines, it's your time to shine! Each player can get his own moment of fame with unique choreographies and moves for each member of the band.

Just Sweat It Out: The popular Just Sweat mode gets an upgrade with more workout plans and playlists. And exclusive on the Wii, up to 4 players can work out together simultaneously in the Just Sweat mode. Also record your fitness efforts and earn sweat points at all times. Stay fit, have fun, and Just Dance!

Too Shy to Dance But Love to Sing? All tracks provide song lyrics on-screen, so even if you don't score points with your voice, you're sure to score some with the crowd!

Wall of Fame: Exclusive on Wii, earn medals for your stellar performances, then see all the dances, high scores and stars you've accomplished on one single screen!