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Choices for a dance game for the Gamecube are limited… we all know that. In fact, if you really are a dance game enthusiast chances are you own an Xbox or a PS2.  So Nintendo has brought us the first DDR for the square silver cube set, Dance Dance Revolution Mario Mix. Oh no! Another game with Mario branding on it, whatever in the world will we do? 

All kidding aside, this game is fun. Really really fun.  I popped it into my system expecting to be bored. An hour later I was still playing (and cursing myself that I didn’t set up a memory block).  I was laughing. I was having fun.  And most of all thank goodness there was no hidden camera to record how silly I must have looked in the privacy of my own living room. 

The game plays in both story mode and free mode.  You can only play the songs in free mode that you have unlocked during story mode.  Story mode involves the premise that Walugi has stolen the Music Keys and released the music they held. It is your job to recapture each of the music keys and save your land.  Throughout each level you will also compete in minigames such as “whack-a- goomba” as well as buy items you can use while you’re dancing. You’ll also have dialogue between Mario and the other characters he encounters.  One of my favorite lines of the game (when they encounter a boss): “I don’t speak squidish but I’m pretty sure he’s saying that he won’t give us the key.”  It’s so cute you can’t help but smile.

Graphics in this game are excellent. Clear and precise they really show off the Mario universe.  Music in the game is the typical trance style dance music but with an added Nintendo flair.  You’ll definitely recognize some old school Mario theme music as you’re dancing. Most of the songs have a really good beat and you can’t help but start dancing in place waiting for the round to start.  Mario will dance along with you on screen which in most parts is pretty funny.  Watching Mario grinding though, not a pretty sight…

One of the major flaws I noticed in the game was how easy it was.  Even when the game is on super hard mode, it’s still pretty easy.  Hardcore DDR fans might be turned off by the childish nature of the game and the fact that it’s not as hard as the other games in the series.  I see both arguments but I still have to say that I really enjoyed Mario DDR.  Yes, I could definitely see my five year old niece enjoying this game, but what’s so wrong with that.  Maybe we need a dance game out there that is not so intimidating to the masses that don’t go home each day and play DDR for two hours straight.

Okay, ranting aside, I really liked Dance Dance Revolution Mario Mix.  It’s light hearted, imaginative, and a break from all the serious gaming we do.  The included game pad is quite sturdy and has a textured bottom so that it won’t slide while playing.  I do wish that there was a harder mode on it but I like that it does have appeal to people new to the genre.  Overall, it’s a fun game and would be a great addition to the line of party themed Mario brand name games. 

4 out of 5 Boogying Marios