Thursday, July 24, 2008

Buy Cheap Wii Games - Wii Dance Games

The most popular wii dance games for the Nintendo has thus far been the Dance Dance Revolution or aka. DDR Hottest Party.

DDR was created by the Tokyo based company Konami Corporation which dates back to 1973, they were famous for titles like frogger, scramble and Super Cobra. When Dance dance Revolution Hottest party first came to the US in 2007 it won huge applause, partially due to the fact that it was the only wii dance games that contained the one of a kind dance pad controller.

What makes DDR so different is that using a traditional dance pad with a Wii remote requires participants to match controller movements with the remote and the Nunchuck attachment as well as do the dance steps at the same time. This new innovation causes the whole body workout, giving the top part or your arms something to do as well, which upto now has always been solely focused on feet movements. The game supports up to four players at a time.

If you never heard of or played DDR then some explanations are in order. It's a rhythm game that has you stepping all over a dance mat to hit arrows that match the corresponding arrows on the screen. All this takes place to a the beat of a popular dance track. If your new to this lookout cause it isn't easy, you will have a hard time to keep from tripping over your own feet. Whereas veterans will be hopping back and forth, seemingly hitting all the arrows with ease. The diamonds correspond to hand movements and the arrows to feet movements. The game offer 3 different Play options namely: Free Play , Groove Curcuit, and workout mode.

Lets have a closer look at this game and see what some of the pros and cons are. Whatever method you choose to play Hottest Party appears pretty good. The colors of the game are bright and vivacious, the surroundings are neat and the game characters feel right and are well animated. DDR features extra backup dancers that are an unneeded visible touch, the main character should have been rendered larger, but nonetheless the game looks decent. The audio sounds for the most part ok with a list of approximately fifty tracks. They tried to put something in the music list for everyones taste. The announcer tends to be somewhat of a nuisance, who either compliments you or insults you all at the same time. Kind of like saying "you are really good at sucking!" Might get to you after a while, those kind of comments. DDR comes with one dance pad included, for multiple players each will have to obtain it's own dance pad.

Unfortunately there are not alot of other choices in the Wii dance games niche. There is Dancing with the stars which has received less than good reviews. Which also has dance pad incompatibility problems with the dance pad offered by DDR Hottest Party.

These type of get off the couch Wii dance games are gaining in popularity. I don't think the game will convert the player into the next Fred Astaire but will definitely give you a good work out.

If you are looking for a top quality Wii Dance Pad check out Discount DDR Pads

Tuesday, May 6, 2008

I Can't Live Without My DDR Dance Pad

I'll admit it I used to be kind of out of shape. No no, I wasn't rolling over in a stiff breeze or using sailing-grade rope as a belt, but a decent flight of stairs got me pretty winded. The culprit, besides my affinity for Cheetos? Video games. I love video games but unless your ideal physique is "round", most video games won't help you very much in the fitness department.

Most. There are a few exceptions, but the one that stands out is good ol' Dance Dance Revolution.

Most of you are probably familiar with this game; if you've been anywhere near it it is rather hard to miss. The concept is simple, arrows on the screen corresponding to arrows on a pad on the ground move up the game screen and the more the player is able to hit arrows along with the on-screen pattern and to the beat, the higher they score. Since the game is played by using one's feet on a dance pad instead of mere thumb-twiddling, Dance Dance Revolution is a real workout, especially on higher levels. If you've ever wanted to have calves thicker than your neck, this is your activity. Play this game long enough to get good at the "nine foot" maximum difficulty levels and you'll definitely be a few pounds lighter, as well.

When I'm in the mood to show off, I love going to the arcade, but face it, as far as getting in shape goes, hauling oneself to the local arcade to wait turns to play for a buck a pop isn't the most appealing option. Even without the workout routine, it takes some practice to get to where you can show off your moves at the local arcade and wow the zit set. What's an aspiring AAA floormat Japanese techno-infused button-presser to do?

The answer is, apparently, quite a bit. I started DDR back in the dark ages when it was hideously expensive to import a flimsy pad from Japan to play with, and don't get me started on the contraptions I cooked up to keep the thing from becoming an indistinguishable ball of plastic mat by the time I was done with "Paranoia 180" (most of them didn't work too well). Nowadays if you just want a cheap pad like that to play Butterfly on occasionally, at least you won't bust your wallet, but if you're serious about DDR there are much nicer pads available.

Lots of nice Metal Dance Pads are there for the choosing

Thursday, April 17, 2008

DDR Dance Dance Revolution and Weight Loss - Play a Game and Lose Weight?

What is dance dance revolution?

It is a game played using a television, a game console, the DDR software, and a dance pad.

The ddr game is played on a mat or platform with 4 arrows pointing in each direction (up, down, left, right) and four arrows on your tv screen that will scroll or overlap. When they overlap then you hit the corresponding arrow on the mat with your feet all while listening to lively music.

Dance dance revolution was started in video arcades but I feel the real weight loss benefits are going to be achieved now that it can be played in the privacy of your own home.

How expensive is DDR?

That is one of the beauties of dance dance revolution for home. You probably already own a TV and maybe even a playstation or similar game console. But even if you don't own a playstation everything you need can be purchased for approximately $300.00! This is much cheaper than many stationary bikes or elliptical machines.

How did you learn about dance dance revolution?

As part of my job here at weightloss-articles.com I subscribe to many newsletters and breaking news alerts, read many magazines, and research everything weight loss related. In one weeks time I received two breaking emails about weight loss studies with ddr and also came across one article and many many weight loss testimonials. This lead me to start researching to bring this information to our readers.

What are some of the claimed weight loss achievements?

In researching dance dance revolution weight loss achievements I came across testimonials from users claiming anywhere from 5 to 95 pounds of fat loss! I am a skeptic, especially when I read a claim on a site that is selling products, however, when I find message boards full of real people claiming weight loss I tend to believe it more. It just makes sense – if you enjoy it and do it on a daily basis you will burn more calories!

Who is DDR for?

DDR is for people who want to lose weight but who have not found a cardiovascular exercise they enjoy enough to stick with. Overweight children who love video games will benefit greatly from ddr. Dance dance revolution is for the people who enjoy dancing, music, moving, and a good challenge. DDR is also for anyone who is bored to tears with a treadmill, exercise bike, or elliptical machine. Most importantly it is for people healthy enough for exercise and who have been cleared by their doctor.

Conclusion

I believe that if your exercise and eating routines incorporate something you enjoy then you will more than likely succeed in your goals. My cardiovascular exercise of choice and a great passion in my life is mountain biking therefore I find it easy to do and want to go ride anytime I get an opportunity. When I heard of dance dance revolution or ddr I became very excited because I know many people will benefit from this and achieve their weight loss and fitness goals simply because they will feel the same way about ddr that I feel about mountain biking. If you think it is something you will enjoy, can do on a regular basis, and will stick with then by all means give it a try. DDR is creating a craze and a community of people willing to share stories, success, and experiences. Let us know if you have a dance dance revolution weight loss story you would like to share with us.

As always, I wish for you the best of health,

The best Platform to Play Dance Dance Revolution on is a Metal Dance Pad

Monday, April 14, 2008

Dance Dance Revolution (DDR) as a Fun Exercise Program

One of the main reasons people quit an exercise program is a lack of motivation and goal setting. You may start an exercise program in hopes of losing weight and becoming more fit. However, as you continue exercising, you may feel that you're putting in so much effort but gaining so little. You become unmotivated because it's just too much work.

With Dance Dance Revolution (DDR), kids, teens, and adults can find a way to stay motivated, exercise, and have more fun. Dance Dance Revolution is a music game available on both console and arcade. You can choose from a variety of energetic dance songs. As the song plays, you have to step on a specific pattern of arrows in response to the song's beat.

Like most games, learning Dance Dance Revolution takes practice. There is a range of tempos, song genres, and step difficulties, so there is something for everyone. Beginners can start with easy slow-paced songs. To get better, simply practice and become familiar with the songs. As you progress you can gradually choose faster songs and more difficult step patterns. With enough practice and persistence you'll gain stamina, become better at foot-eye coordination, and have a better sense of rhythm.

Since the game grades you on how well you've played each song, it is easy to set goals and stay motivated. For example, if you achieved a 'C' rating on a song, you can set a goal to get a 'B' rating in a certain timeframe. If you failed a song, you can set a goal to pass that song in a certain number of tries. Also, with a partner, you can both play the same song and participate in some friendly competition. This competition adds a great deal of fun. Furthermore, it helps you strive to improve and keep playing so you can beat your dance partner.

To play Dance Dance Revolution, check out local arcades and see if any of them has a Dance Dance Revolution arcade machine. If they don't, or you don't want to travel to an arcade, you can get a Dance Dance Revolution game for a console like Playstation, Playstation 2, or XBox. Of course, you could play with a regular controller but then you wouldn't be exercising (unless you consider finger manipulation exercising). To experience the game the right way, you'll need a dance pad.

There are three main types of dance pads: soft thin pads, ignition pads, and metal pads. Soft thin pads are flexible, made of plastic, and wear out quickly. They tend to slip around a lot. I have to constantly realign my soft thin pad while playing harder songs. If you simply want to test out DDR, soft thin pads are great. Ignition pads are soft pads which have a foam insert. The foam insert provides weight, durability, and comfort. It feels different from the arcade but is easy to adapt to. Like the soft thin pads, ignition pads will wear out. The best pads for expert players are the metal pads. They have been designed to give more of that arcade feel. They have greater durability and accuracy.

To get access to the best prices on Metal Dance Pads visit Discount DDR Pads

Monday, October 22, 2007

The ION Pro Aracade Pad


This commercial graded iON Pro metal pad manufactures with the brake through new Tapeswitch sensor technology. The design of Tapeswitch is extremely sensitive product for electronic signaling and sensing applications. This is a similar sensor technology utilized in the DDR Arcade Machine. The new iON pro metal pad is incredibly heavy duty. Such a super quality metal pad is definitely the ideal solution for commercial or home use.



Features:
# Smooth Edges and 8 screws design
# Heavy Duty, can handle player weight 900 lbs+
# 'Tapeswitch Technology' for excellent buttons sensitivity
# Control Box Included (works with PS One, Playstation 2, Xbox and PC)
# All stainless steel metal arrows (No more cracking arrows)
# 2 tapeswitch sensors in each button for better sensitivity
# 0% noise level, no noise when jumping on arrows.
# This metal platform will work on carpet or hard floor.
# The entire metal platform frame is metal, Weights about60 lbs.
# EVA foam base (non-slip bottom) so that the pad won't slip around.
# No assembly required
# Power is drawn directly from the PS One, Playstation 2, Xbox or PC.

Specifications:
# Dimensions: 34 1/2” x 34 1/2” x 1 1/2"
# Dimension of Tapeswitch: 6 1/4" long
# Dimension of each arrow: 10 3/4” x 10 3/4" X 10mm
# Play Area: 32” x 32”
# Non-Slip Bottom: Yes
# Net Weight: 54 lbs.
# Gross Weight: 60 lbs.
# Cable length of metal platform: 9 feet
# Adapter: control box (connects to PS One, Playstation 2, Xbox and PC)
# No drivers required
# Power Source: direct from PS One, Playstation 2, Xbox or PC
# Material of Platform: Stainless Steel
# Smooth Edges: Yes
# Number of Buttons: 6
# Number of buttons for control box: 2
# Sensitivity: Highest
# Material of Arrow: Metal

To look at these and more Dance Pads visit www.discountddrpads.com

The DDR ION Master Pad


After numerous designing, engineering, prototyping and testing sessions, the newly designed commercial grade iON Master Arcade Metal Dance Pad has finally arrived. Our goal is to develop the industry's greatest DDR arcade metal dance pad for both exercising and gaming purposes. The iON Master Arcade Metal Dance Pad is excellent for both beginners and aggressive advanced players; most importantly, the iON Master Arcade Metal Dance Pad is designed for fitness exercise players. The iON Master Arcade Metal Dance Pad utilizes Soft Bounce Advanced Technology; it is designed to extend DDR game play. Dance Dance Revolution (DDR) games require heavy stomping and players can become fatigue easily. The soft bounce effect absorbs your energy from your ankle, resulting in less stomping on the rigid arrow panel. You can now extend DDR game play, have a longer exercises and burn more calories at the same time.



Most importantly, the iON Master Arcade Metal Dance Pad is well designed in material and structure. Utilizing heavy duty stretched metal, the iON Master Arcade Metal Dance Pad is significantly stronger and thicker, with weights distributed to the perimeter, the iON Master Arcade Metal Dance Pad has increased stability and longer life span than any other metal dance pads in the market. Many metal pads in the market cannot absorb the heavy stomping, which results in bent or cracked arrows. With all these great improvements, the iON Master Arcade Metal Dance Pad will be your best bang for the buck.


The iON Master Arcade Metal Dance Pad also has enhanced thick metal panels, which are now raised so that you can sense your position on the metal dance pad. The raised buttons help those who tend to lose their positions on the dance pad, and make their game play even more precise. More over, the handle bar of the iON Master Arcade Metal Dance Pad has been greatly improved, and it provides extra stability and durability. This is perfect for advanced, aggressive players. The iON Master Arcade is suitable for both commercial, school, recreational facilities and home use.



The iON Master Arcade Metal Dance Pad is a master piece to master the Dance Dance Revolution game.

Features:

* Heavy Duty stretched metal, can handle player weight 900 lbs+
* Stronger new screws design
* Raised arrow buttons for excellent buttons sensitivity
* Soft Bounce Advanced Technology buttons
* Control Box included (works with PS One, Playstation 2, Xbox and PC)
* Linkable Kit included to connect 2 iON Master Arcade Metal Dance Pads side by side
* All stainless steel metal arrows (No more cracking arrows)
* 0% noise level, no noise when jumping on arrows
* This metal platform will work on carpet or hard floor
* The entire metal platform frame is metal, Weighs about 75 lbs
* EVA foam base (non-slip bottom) so that the pad won't slip around
* No assembly required
* Break-away cable guard Included
* Tickest Metal dance pad in the market 3 1/4" thick
* Heavy Duty metal handle bar
* Power is drawn directly from the PS One, Playstation 2, Xbox or PC

Specifications:
* Dimensions : 39 3/4 ” x 34 1/2” x 3 1/4"
* Dimension of each arrow: 11 ” x 11 " X 1/4" raised
* Dimension for handle bar: 40 1/4" x 15 1/2"
* Thicker handle bar
* Play Area: 33” x 33”
* Non-Slip Bottom: Yes
* Net Weight: 60 lbs
* Gross Weight: 75 lbs
* Cable length of metal platform: 9 feet
* Adapter: control box (connects to PS One, Playstation 2, Xbox and PC )
* No drivers required
* Power Source: direct from PS One, Playstation 2, Xbox or PC
* Material of Platform: Heavy duty stretched metal
* Smooth Edges: Yes
* Number of Buttons: 6
* Number of buttons for control box: 2
* Sensitivity: Highest
* Material of Arrow: Metal

To look at these and more Dance Pads visit www.discountddrpads.com

Welcome to DDR Dance Pad Reviews Blog

This blog will provide you with the latest News, Stats and Reviews of the different Dance Dance Revolution Pads on the Market