02/08/2012

Allen Rausch

The Just Dance series turns dancing into a game, a game into a workout, and a workout into so much fun you won’t realize how much you’re sweating.

By Ubisoft for Xbox 360 with Kinect, Wii

$29.99, rated E, ages 8+

If you think videogames are something you play just to relax, don’t buy a Kinect for your Xbox 360. This motion-tracking sensor literally turns your whole body into a game controller. Ubisoft has invested heavily in this idea with the Just Dance series. These encapsulate a number of Kinect products that turn dancing into a game, a game into a workout, and a workout into so much fun you won’t realize how much you’re sweating until the song is over.

The latest game in the series is Just Dance 3. The idea is fairly simple. Follow colorfully dressed characters onscreen and do the dance moves they do. The Kinect will track your movements, judge how well or how poorly you do them and give you points for every move you do well. The latest edition can be played with up to four players and has choreographed dance numbers for four with different moves that will entertain not just the players, but people watching as well!

The great thing about the Just Dance series is that it has something for every member of the family. The music and dance numbers cover a wide range of eras from disco classics from the ‘70’s and ‘80s to pop stars of the moment like Katy Perry. If you don’t find what you want, more music and dances are available on the Xbox Games Marketplace or the Wii Shop for a few dollars.

Got small kids? Just Dance Kids 2 has music and dances appropriate for toddlers to young teens. The favorites in our house, though, are the two single-artist collections. The Black-Eyed Peas Experience and The Michael Jackson Experience let you dance along with their biggest hits and learn some of their signature moves. If you still can’t pick up the Moonwalk after a few hours playing these, I’m afraid you’ve only yourself to blame!

Allen also recommends …

• Just Dance Kids 2; By Ubisoft for Xbox 360 with Kinect, Wii; $29.99, rated E, Ages 4+

• The Michael Jackson Experience; By Ubisoft for Xbox 360 with Kinect, Wii; $29.99, rated E, ages 8+

• The Black Eyed Peas Experience; By Ubisoift for Xbox 360 with Kinect, Wii; $29.99, rated E, ages 8 and up