DDR CS General Info

Which mix do I buy?

Want to find a good console release of DanceDanceRevolution but don't know which one to pick? This page covers the console releases, and the pros and cons of each one. Therefore, you can make a choice!

Note: For consistency's sake, this list will only cover the Japanese CS releases of the main series (and EXTRA MIX, since it has 4thMIX PLUS songs on it).

DanceDanceRevolution CS

Total Songs: 16
Unique Songs: 1

Pros

• Contains three preview songs for 2ndMIX, and two entirely new songs.
• Sealed copies can be found for cheap.
• Introduces EDIT MODE, which allows you to create your own charts for songs.
• Includes exclusive ARRANGE MODE.
• Color coded FLAT arrows fixed from the arcade version.
• Includes EASY and TRAINING modes for those new to the game.

Cons

• Small songlist.
• With the sole exception of STRICTLY BUSINESS, every song has been repeated in the the next game's Dreamcast version and other console releases.
• Timing is incredibly strict compared to later games.
• Only game to feature the negative OUCH! judgment, which penalizes standard gameplay methods (e.g. not returning feet to the center) that have become common in the modern day.
• The preview songs, CS songs, and EDIT MODE all have ridiculous unlock requirements.

DanceDanceRevolution 2ndReMIX

Total Songs: 38
Unique Songs: 5 (not counting 2ndMIX Dreamcast Edition)

Pros

• Also includes EASY and TRAINING modes.
• Like before, sealed copies can be found cheap.
• Includes two previews for the next game (though only the BASIC charts are playable).
• EDIT MODE is a default mode now.
• Color coded FLAT arrows fixed from arcade version.
• Includes System Data Support, which allows one to unlock all the hidden content from the previous CS release.
• STEP BATTLE songs are now playable outside that mode.

Cons

• Timing is incredibly strict compared to later games.
• Some songs have dumb unlock requirements.
• Nearly all the songs (especially the KONAMI originals) were repeated in later games.

DanceDanceRevolution 2ndMIX Dreamcast Edition

Total Songs: 47
Unique Songs: 5 (not counting 2ndReMIX)

Pros

• Also has EASY and TRAINING modes.
• Sealed copies are, once again, easy to find.
• Unlike the PlayStation version, all but one of the songs from 1st and 2ndMIX are playable as well.
• Includes two more 3rdMIX previews than the PlayStation version, as well as full charts for the aforementioned four songs.
  • In addition, the three STEP BATTLE songs have their 3rdMIX charts playable.
• Graphics and sound on par with arcade version.
• The unlockable songs from the PlayStation version no longer have to be unlocked.

Cons

• Timing is strict compared to later games.
• Nearly all the songs were repeated later on.

DanceDanceRevolution 3rdMIX CS

Total Songs: 57
Unique Songs: 21

Pros

• Also has SOFT (EASY) and TRAINING modes.
• Largest songlist of all the PlayStation releases.
• Can be found sealed for cheap.
• First CS release with COURSE, ENDLESS, and DIET (WORKOUT) modes, which have all since become staples on CS releases.
  • This is also the first CS release with DOUBLE MANIAC charts.
• One of two CS releases with UNISON mode.
• Includes two preview songs for 3rdMIX PLUS (though only the BASIC charts are playable).
• Includes System Data Support.

Cons

• Almost half the songlist consists of the KONAMI originals from the first two games.
  • In addition, all of them have to be unlocked.
• Older songs that had COUPLE charts lost them in favor of new UNISON charts.
• Timing is somewhat strict compared to later games.
• Three missing licenses from the arcade version.
• Almost all of the originals were repeated in later games.

DanceDanceRevolution BEST HITS

Total Songs: 29
Unique Songs: 0

Pros

• Decent compilation of songs between 1stMIX through 3rdMIX PLUS.
• Also has SOFT (EASY) and TRAINING modes.
• One of two CS releases with UNISON mode.
• Can be found cheap used.

Cons

• No new songs.
• No unlocks.
• Timing is somewhat strict compared to later games.
• No System Data Support.

DanceDanceRevolution 4thMIX CS

Total Songs: 54
Unique Songs: 38

Pros

• Large songlist.
• One of two CS releases with SOLO mode.
• Also has TRAINING mode.
• The three missing licenses from AC DDR 3rdMIX have been restored.
• Includes a preview song for both 4thMIX PLUS and 5thMIX (though the latter only has its BASIC chart playable.)
• Many of the songs have never been repeated to this day (not counting spinoffs).
• Can be found cheap used.
• Unlike the arcade version, an ALL MUSIC option is available.

Cons

• Timing is somewhat strict compared to later games.
• No EASY/BEGINNER mode.
• No System Data Support.

DanceDanceRevolution EXTRA MIX

Total Songs: 50
Unique Songs: 32

Pros

• Large songlist.
• Can be found cheap used.
• Includes (nearly) all of the songs introduced in Solo BASS MIX, Solo 2000, and 4thMIX PLUS.
• One of two CS releases with SOLO mode.
• Includes TRAINING mode.
• Includes four 5thMIX previews as well as two brand-new remixes.
• Many songs have never been repeated in future CS releases.
• Includes System Data Support.

Cons

• Timing is somewhat strict compared to later games.
• No EASY/BEGINNER mode.
• The songlist is missing one license from 4thMIX PLUS, all three 2ndReMIX songs from Solo 2000, and all of the NONSTOP MEGAMIX songs from both Solo BASS and Solo 2000.
• None of the Solo BASS or Solo 2000 licenses have proper DOUBLE charts.
  • Similarly, none of the 5thMIX previews have SOLO charts.

DanceDanceRevolution 5thMIX CS

Total Songs: 47
Unique Songs: 29

Pros

• Can be found cheap used.
• Beginner friendly.
• First main series CS release to run at a frame rate of 60 FPS.
• One of only two CS releases with LONG VERSION songs.
• Includes TRAINING mode.
• Includes two previews for the next game (though only the BASIC charts are playable).
• Many songs have never appeared on future (non-spinoff) CS releases.
• Features a GALLERY mode and a CHART BANK, which allows you to see more than 2,000 song charts created by fans.

Cons

• Unlike most CS releases, there is no ENDLESS or COURSE mode.
• No returning songs.
• No BEGINNER difficulty.
• Unlocking all of the GALLERY images can become tedious and repetitive.
• No System Data Support.

DDRMAX: DanceDanceRevolution 6thMIX CS

Total Songs: 44
Unique Songs: 29

Pros

• Fairly easy to find.
• All but two of the originals and Dancemania licenses combined have never been repeated to this day.
• First CS release with speed and arrow modifiers.

Cons

• Smallest songlist of all the PlayStation 2 DDR games.
• Only main series CS release with no difficulty ratings for songs whatsoever.
• Character dancers are completely missing.
• No BEGINNER difficulty.
• Very few CS songs (only two) compared to later PS2 releases
• One of the few PS2 DDR games to be CD-based.

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