- Dance Central
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Dance Central 
Developer(s) Harmonix Music Systems Publisher(s) MTV Games Distributor(s) Microsoft Game Studios Platform(s) Xbox 360 Release date(s) - JP June 2, 2011
Genre(s) Music, Rhythm, Exercise Mode(s) Single player, multiplayer dance battle Rating(s) ESRB: T
PEGI: 12
CERO: AMedia/distribution DVD-ROM Dance Central is a music video game for the Xbox 360 that utilizes the Kinect motion peripheral. The game was developed by Harmonix, creators of the Guitar Hero and Rock Band franchises, and is a launch title for Kinect. A sequel titled Dance Central 2 was officially announced at E3 2011 and later released in October 2011.[1]
Contents
Gameplay
Gameplay involves the player performing given dance moves which are tracked by Kinect and represented on the screen by one of eight in-game avatars. The game features over 650 different dance moves spanning over 90 dance routines. There are five modes available:
- Perform It: The regular single-player gameplay mode, in which the objective is to complete these dance routines to earn a high score.
- Workout Mode: An extension to regular mode in which the number of calories burned are also tracked, along with the workout time.
- Dance Battle: Two players compete in a head-to head dance routine battle. The person with the highest score is the winner. In the rare event there is a tie in the score, the player who passed more moves wins.
- Challenge Mode: Once all songs (four or five) in each difficulty category have at least four stars on each one, a challenge based on the difficulty is unlocked. This mode increases the difficulty of the game by having portions of four or five songs combined into one, thus mixing up the dance moves. All challenges must be completed with four stars on each challenge in order to unlock the final challenge.
- Break it Down: A practice mode that allows beginners to learn more advanced dance moves in a step-by-step process.[2]
Avatars
The avatars are as follows:
- Angel
- Miss Aubrey
- Dare
- Eliot
- Emilia
- MacCoy
- Mo
- Oblio
- Taye
- Ttiw Tolrep
ELIOT (an acronym which stands for "Excessive Live Information Overload Tracker") is a secret robotic character which is unlocked after either reaching the maximum rank in the game or earning four stars on the final Challenge Mode level. The name comes from Eliot Min, a Harmonix artist who designed the character.[3]
The avatar commonly referred to as "Luxury" and/or the "Pink Ninja" can be obtained if Left, Up, X, Up, Right, Y (LUXURY) is entered at the title screen using the control pad. He wears a mostly pink ninja costume, with two wooden nunchucks in each hand. Once you select a song, he will be set as the default avatar. The pink ninja has been reported to actually be an unlockable outfit for Oblio rather than an additional dancer.[4] However, according to the official Dance Central website, the ninja is not Oblio, but rather a distinct character dubbed "Ttiw Tolrep". The name is composed of the surnames of the character's designers, Shawn Witt and Matthew Perlot, spelled backwards.[5]
Soundtrack
On Disc
The following 32 songs are included on the game disc.[6][7]
Song title Artist Decade Rating Difficulty Character Dance Central 2 import character "Body Movin' (Fatboy Slim Remix)" Beastie Boys 1990s Off The Hook 6 Stars Oblio Bodie "Brick House" The Commodores 1970s Off The Hook 6 Stars Maccoy Glitch "Bust a Move" Young MC 1980s Hardcore 5 Stars Mo Mo "C'mon N' Ride It (The Train)" Quad City DJ's 1990s Simple 1 Star Dare Li'l T "Can't Get You Out of My Head" Kylie Minogue 2000s Simple 1 Star Miss Aubrey Miss Aubrey "Crank That (Soulja Boy)" Soulja Boy Tell 'Em 2000s Moderate 2 Stars Mo Mo "Days Go By" Dirty Vegas 2000s Hardcore 5 Stars Maccoy Glitch "Dip It Low" Christina Milian 2000s Tough 3 Stars Taye Taye "Don't Sweat the Technique" Eric B. & Rakim 1990s Off The Hook 6 Stars Maccoy Glitch "Down" Jay Sean 2000s Moderate 2 Stars Angel Angel "Drop It Like It's Hot" Snoop Dogg feat. Pharrell 2000s Off The Hook 6 Stars Taye Taye "Evacuate the Dancefloor" Cascada 2000s Warmup 0 Stars Emilia Emilia "Flava In Ya Ear (Remix)" Craig Mack 1990s Legit 4 Stars Taye Taye "Funkytown" Lipps Inc 1980s Simple 1 Star Miss Aubrey Miss Aubrey "Galang '05" M.I.A. 2000s Simple 1 Star Dare Li'l T "Hella Good" No Doubt 2000s Tough 3 Stars Oblio Bodie "Hey Mami" FannyPack 2000s Warmup 0 Stars Miss Aubrey Miss Aubrey "I Know You Want Me (Calle Ocho)" Pitbull 2000s Warmup 0 Stars Angel Angel "Jungle Boogie" Kool & the Gang 1970s Moderate 2 Stars Maccoy Glitch "Just Dance" Lady Gaga ft. Colby O'Donis 2000s Off The Hook 6 Stars Dare Li'l T "King of the Dancehall" Beenie Man 2000s Tough 3 Stars Angel Angel "Maneater" Nelly Furtado 2000s Legit 4 Stars Emilia Emilia "Move Ya Body" Nina Sky 2000s Tough 3 Stars Emilia Emilia "Poison" Bell Biv DeVoe 1980s Legit 4 Stars Angel Angel "Poker Face" Lady Gaga 2000s Warmup 0 Stars Mo Mo "Pon de Replay" Rihanna 2000s Moderate 2 Stars Emilia Emilia "Pump Up the Jam" Technotronic 1980s Hardcore 5 Stars Dare Li'l T "Push It" Salt-n-Pepa 1980s Legit 4 Stars Taye Taye "Rendez-Vu" Basement Jaxx 1990s Tough 3 Stars Miss Aubrey Miss Aubrey "Rump Shaker" Wreckx-n-Effect 1990s Moderate 2 Stars Oblio Bodie "Satisfaction" Benny Benassi 2000s Hardcore 5 Stars Oblio Bodie "Teach Me How To Jerk" Audio Push 2000s Legit 4 Stars Mo Mo Downloadable Content
The following songs have been released as downloadable content for 240 Microsoft Points ($3.00) each via the Xbox Live Marketplace. These songs also deliver new routines. There are 32 DLC songs for Dance Central, totaling up to 64 songs with both on disc and DLC combined.
Song Title Artist Decade Difficulty Rating June 2011 Sale October 2011 Sale Release Date "Temperature" Sean Paul 2000s Moderate 2 Stars Dance Pack 03 November 4, 2010 "Because of You" Ne-Yo 2000s Hardcore 5 Stars Marathon Pack / Dance Pack 03 November 4, 2010 "I Got You Dancing" Lady Sovereign 2000s Off The Hook 5 Red Stars Marathon Pack / Dance Pack 01 November 4, 2010 "Word Up!" Cameo 1980s Tough 3 Stars Marathon Pack / Dance Pack 03 November 23, 2010 "I Gotta Feeling" The Black Eyed Peas 2000s Moderate 2 Stars Single / Marathon Pack Single November 23, 2010 "Whoomp! (There It Is)" Tag Team 1990s Legit 4 Stars Dance Pack 03 / Marathon Pack November 23, 2010 "Control"a Janet Jackson 1980s Hardcore 5 Stars Dance Pack 02 / Marathon Pack December 21, 2010 "Girls and Boys" Blur 1990s Warmup 0 Stars Dance Pack 04 / Marathon Pack December 21, 2010 "Disturbia" Rihanna 2000s Simple 1 Star Dance Pack 02 / Marathon Pack December 21, 2010 "We Run This" Missy Elliott 2000s Hardcore 5 Stars Dance Pack 01 February 15, 2011 "Le Freak" Chic 1970s Simple 1 Star Dance Pack 04 February 15, 2011 "Super Freak" Rick James 1980s Simple 1 Star Dance Pack 04 / Marathon Pack February 15, 2011 "Heard 'Em All" Amerie 2000s Legit 4 Stars Single / Dance Pack 01 / Marathon Pack February 15, 2011 "Weapon of Choice" Fatboy Slim 2000s Warmup 0 Stars Single / Dance Pack 04 / Marathon Pack March 15, 2011 "Hollaback Girl" Gwen Stefani 2000s Hardcore 5 Stars Dance Pack 02 / Marathon Pack March 15, 2011 "Straight Up" Paula Abdul 1980s Legit 4 Stars Single / Dance Pack 02 / Marathon Pack March 15, 2011 "Turnin Me On" Keri Hilson 2000s Off The Hook 5 Red Stars Dance Pack 01 / Marathon Pack March 15, 2011 "Wild Thing" Tone Lōc 1980s Moderate 2 Stars Marathon Pack 2 / Dance Pack 05 April 19, 2011 "Lean wit It, Rock wit It" Dem Franchize Boyz 2000s Simple 1 Star Marathon Pack 2 / Dance Pack 05 April 19, 2011 "D.A.N.C.E." Justice 2000s Moderate 2 Stars Marathon Pack 2 / Dance Pack 07 April 19, 2011 "Fergalicious" Fergie ft. will.i.am 2000s Hardcore 5 Stars Marathon Pack 2 / Dance Pack 06 May 17, 2011 "Informer" Snow 1990s Simple 1 Star Marathon Pack 2 / Dance Pack 07 May 17, 2011 "Lapdance" N.E.R.D. 2000s Tough 3 Stars Marathon Pack 2 / Dance Pack 05 May 17, 2011 "Break Your Heart" Taio Cruz 2000s Moderate 2 Stars Marathon Pack 2 / Dance Pack 06 July 19, 2011 "Say Aah" Trey Songz 2010s Simple 1 Star Marathon Pack 2 / Dance Pack 07 July 19, 2011 "Planet Rock" Afrika Bambaataa 1980s Hardcore 5 Stars Marathon Pack 2 / Dance Pack 07 July 19, 2011 "Get Up" James Brown 1960s Moderate 2 Stars Marathon Pack 2 / Dance Pack 06 August 16, 2011 "Get Busy" Sean Paul 2000s Tough 3 Stars Marathon Pack 2 / Dance Pack 07 August 16, 2011 "Get It Shawty" Lloyd 2000s Moderate 2 Stars Marathon Pack 2 / Dance Pack 06 August 16, 2011 "Don't Cha" The Pussycat Dolls ft. Busta Rhymes 2000s Simple 1 Star Marathon Pack 2 / Dance Pack 06 September 20, 2011 "Tempted to Touch" Rupee 2000s Simple 1 Star Marathon Pack 2 / Dance Pack 07 September 20, 2011 "The Way I Are" Timbaland ft. Keri Hilson and D.O.E. 2000s Off The Hook 5 Red Stars Marathon Pack 2 / Dance Pack 06 September 20, 2011 Reception
Dance Central Aggregate scores Aggregator Score GameRankings 83.18%[8] Metacritic 82/100[9] Review scores Publication Score 1UP.com A-[10] Edge 8/10 Eurogamer 8/10[11] Game Informer 8.75/10 GamePro 4.5/5[12] GameSpot 8.5/10[13] GameSpy 4.5/5[14] GamesRadar 8/10[15] GameTrailers 8.1/10[16] IGN 8/10[17] Official Xbox Magazine 9/10 Official Xbox Magazine (UK) 8/10 X-Play 
The game received favorable reviews from critics, garnering an average score of 82 out of 100 on Metacritic, based on 63 reviews.[9] The game received a rating of 8/10 from IGN and a rating of 8.5/10 from GameSpot.[17][13] Popzara's Brittany Vincent praised the game, saying "Dance Central may be the best game of its type ever made. It sashays out of the gate swinging with slick presentation, fantastically responsive controls, a shakin' set list, and the innovative edge of hands-free control. As a party game, a workout option, or even a private break down, it just works; it's the next evolution for dance games."[18] Video game talk show Good Game: Spawn Point gave the game an 8 out of 10 calling it the best launch game for the Kinect and a step forward for dance games. They said workout mode was a nice addition which will definitely give you a workout and the Dance Battles would be a big hit at parties.[19] Nintendo of America's President, in an interview, said that "Dance Central is, by far, the best Kinect game".[20]
Sales
As of August 18, 2011, the game has sold 2.5 million copies worldwide.[21]
Sequel
Main article: Dance Central 2During Microsoft's press conference at E3 2011, Harmonix announced Dance Central 2. Features new to the sequel include voice integration, a campaign mode, an improved "Break it Down" mode, and two-player simultaneous dancing.[22] Similar to Rock Band 3, Dance Central 2 will be able to import on-disc songs from the original Dance Central as well as any downloaded songs. Harmonix stated that more than 100 songs will be available by the launch of Dance Central 2.[23]
References
- ^ http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/117/1173475p1.html
- ^ "E3 2010: Harmonix Demos Dance Central at Microsoft's E3 Press Conference". 1up.com. 2010-06-14. http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3179842. Retrieved 2010-06-14.
- ^ "Dance Central Sketchbook 5: The Final Chapter! Eliot, and The Elusive Pink Nina // Dance Central". www.dancecentral.com. http://www.dancecentral.com/dance-central-sketchbook-5-the-final-chapter-eliot-and-the-elusive-pink-ninja.
- ^ "Legend of the Pink Ninja Character!". dancekinection.com. http://dancekinection.com/701/legend-of-the-pink-ninja-character/. Retrieved 2011-03-02.
- ^ "Dance Central Sketchbook 5: The Final Chapter! Eliot, and The Elusive Pink Nina // Dance Central". www.dancecentral.com. http://www.dancecentral.com/dance-central-sketchbook-5-the-final-chapter-eliot-and-the-elusive-pink-ninja.
- ^ Harmonix's "Dance Central" for Xbox 360 Kinect Coming Holiday 2010
- ^ "Cross Country Tour Day 12: Dancing and playtesting at Harmonix". 1up.com. 2010-Sept-2. http://www.1up.com/do/blogEntry?bId=9045913. Retrieved 2010-Sept-6.
- ^ "Dance Central for Xbox 360". GameRankings. http://www.gamerankings.com/xbox360/997631-dance-central/index.html. Retrieved 2010-12-11.
- ^ a b "Dance Central (Xbox360: 2010): Reviews". Metacritic. http://www.metacritic.com/game/xbox-360/dance-central. Retrieved 2010-11-18.
- ^ http://www.1up.com/reviews/dance-central-review
- ^ Gibson, Ellie (2010-11-04). "Dance Central Xbox 360 Review". Eurogamer.net. http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2010-11-04-dance-central-review. Retrieved 2010-12-11.
- ^ http://www.gamepro.com/article/reviews/217165/dance-central-review/
- ^ a b Watters, Chris (2010-11-04). "Dance Central Review for Xbox 360". GameSpot. http://www.gamespot.com/xbox360/puzzle/dancecentral/review.html. Retrieved 2010-12-11.
- ^ http://www.xbox360.gamespy.com/xbox-360/dance-central/1132598p1.html
- ^ http://www.gamesradar.com/xbox360/dance-central/review/dance-central-review/a-20101105114146513064/g-2010061320129837083
- ^ "Dance Central Video Game Review". GameTrailers. 2010-11-04. http://www.gametrailers.com/video/review-dance-central/707175. Retrieved 2011-03-26.
- ^ a b Clements, Ryan (2010-11-03). "Dance Central Kinect Review". IGN. http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/113/1132366p1.html. Retrieved 2010-12-11.
- ^ "Dance Central (Xbox 360) Review". Popzara. November 19, 2010. http://popzara.com/pages/1407/.
- ^ Kinect Round Up Review. Bendixsen 8/10, O'Donnell 8/10. ABC Television. 29 November 2010. No. 42, season 5. Transcript.
- ^ http://www.gearlog.com/2011/01/nintendo_president_talks_kinec.php
- ^ Brendan Sinclair (19 August 2011). "Kinect Sports scores 3 million sales, Dance Central sells 2.5 million". GameSpot. CBS Interactive Inc.. http://www.gamespot.com/xbox360/puzzle/dancecentral/news/6330113/kinect-sports-scores-3-million-sales-dance-central-sells-25-million. Retrieved 24 August 2011.
- ^ McElroy, Griffin. "Dance Central 2 to humiliate Kinect owners once again". Joystiq. http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/06/dance-central-2-to-humiliate-kinect-owners-once-again/. Retrieved 6 June 2011.
- ^ "Dance Central 2 information". Harmonix. http://www.dancecentral.com/game. Retrieved 6 June 2011.
External links
Harmonix games Frequency series Guitar Hero series Rock Band series Rock Band (songs) · Rock Band 2 (songs) · Rock Band Unplugged (songs) · The Beatles: Rock Band (songs) · Rock Band Mobile · Rock Band (iPhone OS) (songs) · Rock Band Reloaded · Lego Rock Band (songs) · Green Day: Rock Band (songs) · Rock Band 3 (songs)Dance Central series Dance Central (songs) · Dance Central 2 (songs)Other games Karaoke Revolution (songs) · EyeToy: AntiGrav (songs) · Phase (songs)
Categories:- 2010 video games
- Dance video games
- Kinect games
- Video games developed in the United States
- Xbox 360 games
- Xbox 360-only games
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