DDR Japanese CS Info

DanceDanceRevolution Japanese CS Information

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

• Two new CS 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

• Like before, sealed copies can be found cheap.
• EDIT MODE is available by default 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.
• Allows you to play DanceDanceRevolution CS with the 2ndReMIX interface via disc swapping, however, the background animations are disabled.

Cons

• Timing is incredibly strict compared to later games.
• Some songs have dumb unlock requirements outside of cheat codes.
• 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

• Sealed copies are, once again, easy to find.
• Unlike the PlayStation version, all but one of the songs from 1st and 2ndMIX are playable.
• 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

• 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 System Data Support.
• Allows you to play DanceDanceRevolution CS and DanceDanceRevolution 2ndReMIX with the 3rdMIX interface via disc swapping, however, the background animations are disabled.

Cons

• Almost half the songlist consists of the KONAMI originals from the first two games, all of which 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.
• One of two CS releases with UNISON mode.
• Can be found cheap used.
• Songs don't need to be unlocked.

Cons

• No new songs.
• 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.
• The three missing licenses from 3rdMIX have been restored.
• 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 four 5thMIX previews as well as two brand-new remixes.
• Many songs have never been repeated in future CS releases.

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.
• No System Data Support.

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.
• 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.
• Includes System Data Support.

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.

DDRMAX: DanceDanceRevolution 6thMIX CS

Total Songs: 44
Unique Songs: 29

Pros

• Fairly easy to find.
• With the exception of four KONAMI originals and one Dancemania license, none of the songs have ever been repeated in a future Japanese CS release.
• First (mainline) CS release with speed and arrow modifiers.

Cons

• Smallest songlist of all the PlayStation 2 DDR games, even smaller than some of the PlayStation releases.
• Only main series CS release with no difficulty ratings for songs.
• Character dancers are completely missing.
• No COURSE or ENDLESS mode.
• Barely any unlocks.

DDRMAX2: DanceDanceRevolution 7thMIX CS

Total Songs: 74
Unique Songs: 59

Pros

• Easy to find.
• Oni courses are a fun and challenging way to test your skill.
• Four (or nine if the other CS remixes are counted) preview songs for DDR EXTREME are included.
• Most of the songs are unique to this release, including the only Japanese CS game to feature the CHALLENGE-only remixes.
• Unlike the arcade release, the CHALLENGE-only remixes are playable outside of their courses, and uses their updated graphics from DDR EXTREME.
• Includes System Data Support.

Cons

• No BEGINNER difficulty.
• New CS songs only have CHALLENGE charts.
• Character dancers are completely missing.
• Long and annoying unlock system.
• Four missing licenses from the arcade version.

DanceDanceRevolution EXTREME CS

Total Songs: 111
Unique Songs: 64

Pros

• Largest on-disc home console songlist of any DanceDanceRevolution game to date.
• Both Oni and NONSTOP courses are included.
• Introduces the BEGINNER difficulty for new players. This has been the standard since.
• Near all of the new KONAMI originals/BEMANI crossovers/Dancemania licenses have never been repeated since this game (minus spinoffs).
• Every character dancer up to 5thMIX is playable.
• Lots of revivals of older songs, including many first-time repeats (songs that have never been repeated up to this point).
• Video and audio quality increased from arcade version.
• Includes System Data Support.

Cons

• Expensive online.
• Some of the graphics and music are reused from the previous game as opposed to this game's arcade version.
• Unlocking all of the dancers can take forever without System Data Support.
• Missing a license from the arcade version (SENORITA (Speedy Mix)), as well as most of the CS crossovers.

DanceDanceRevolution Party Collection

Total Songs: 47
Unique Songs: 5

Pros

• Good mix of popular songs from 1stMIX through EXTREME, Dancemania licenses and KONAMI originals alike.
• Lots of character dancers to choose from, including BUS and TRAIN, who are exclusive to this release outside of the BEGINNER difficulty.
• Six new songs (one license and five KONAMI originals) to choose from, only one of which has ever been repeated.
• First Japanese DDR release with actual music videos.
• Only PS2 appearance of many pre-DDRMAX songs.
• Includes System Data Support.

Cons

• Hard to find and expensive.
• Unlocking all of the dancers can take forever without System Data Support.
• Small songlist compared to other PS2 releases and even some of the PS releases.

DanceDanceRevolution SuperNOVA CS

Total Songs: 84
Unique Songs: 83

Pros

• Large songlist (second biggest on PS2).
• First CS release with BATTLE mode and EyeToy support.
• BEGINNER difficulty is available, as is the return of EASY mode.
• Three different difficulty modes catered to different skill levels are included. An ALL MUSIC mode is also available.
• With the sole exception of TRUE♥LOVE, none of the songs were repeated on the next two games.
• Simple unlock system.
• Includes System Data Support.

Cons

• Hard to find and expensive.
• No revivals.
• Missing a license (technically two) from the arcade version.

DanceDanceRevolution SuperNOVA2 CS

Total Songs: 83
Unique Songs: 63 (if GROOVE RADAR Special songs are counted as separate songs), 57 (if GROOVE RADAR Special songs are counted as the same song)

Pros

• Large songlist.
• Simple unlock system.
• Songs like Pluto Relinquish will really test your skill at DDR.
• Includes a few licenses from the American CS counterpart as a bonus.
• Only CS appearance of the MY GROOVE RADAR songs.
• EXTRA STAGE and ENCORE EXTRA STAGE are now accessible with any difficulty level.
• Includes System Data Support.

Cons

• Hard to find and expensive.
• GROOVE RADAR charts considered hit or miss with players.
• Trust -DanceDanceRevolution mix- has its video heavily edited to meet rating standards.
• Two licenses from the arcade version are missing.
• A more complex EXTRA STAGE system.

DanceDanceRevolution X CS

Total Songs: 79
Unique Songs: 64 (if SMM-Special songs are counted as separate songs), 62 (if SMM-Special songs are counted as the same song)

Pros

• Only Japanese CS release with STREET MASTER MODE, a story mode. This can also be used to unlock content.
• Includes several licenses from the American CS counterpart as a bonus.
• One of two CS releases with LONG VERSION songs.
• SP-TRIP MACHINE～JUNGLE MIX～ and PARANOiA MAX～DIRTY MIX～ received new CHALLENGE charts with gimmicks exclusive to this release.
• Includes System Data Support.

Cons

• Hard to find and expensive.
• SHOCK ARROWs charts hit or miss with players.
• Most of the returning songs consist of PARANOiA and TRIP MACHINE remixes, or are songs that first appeared on CS releases of the main games.
• Outside of STREET MASTER MODE, song and course unlocks take 335 clears to unlock everything.
• The announcer is considered extremely annoying by many.
• Missing many songs from the arcade, including all of the HOTTEST PARTY crossovers, the HOW TO PLAY song and Put 'Em Up, as well as the X-Special charts for old songs, new modifiers, items and secondary outfits for character dancers, new dance routines, and the 1stMIX models of AFRO and LADY.
• 旅人's music video is absent.
• 零 - ZERO -'s video is heavily censored.
• Only two new CS songs.