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.

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.
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.
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 th re e KONAMI originals and one Dancemania license, none of the songs have ever been repeated in a future Japanese CS release.
First CS release with speed and arrow modifiers.

Cons

Smallest songlist of all the PlayStation 2 DDR games and is even smaller than some of the PlayStation releases.
Only main series CS release with no difficulty ratings for songs whatsoever.
Character dancers are completely missing.
No BEGINNER difficulty.
No COURSE mode.
Very few CS songs (only two) compared to later PS2 releases.

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 preview songs for DDR EXTREME are included.
Most of the songs are unique to this release.
Includes System Data Support.

Cons

No BEGINNER difficulty.
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.
0.5 speed modifier introduced.
Includes System Data Support.

Cons

Can get expensive online.
Some of the graphics and music are reused from the the previous game as opposed to this game's arcade version.
Missing a license from the arcade version (SENORITA (Speedy Mix)).

DanceDanceRevolution Party Collection

Total Songs: 47
Unique Songs: 5

Pros

Includes BEGINNER difficulty.
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 BEGINNER mode.
Six new songs (one license and five KONAMI originals) to choose from, none of which (except for one) have been repeated.
First JP 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.
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 either of the next two games.
Simple unlock system.
Includes System Data Support.

Cons

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

DanceDanceRevolution SuperNOVA2 CS

Total Songs: 83
Unique Songs: 63

Pros

Large songlist.
Also includes a Beginner Mode and difficulty.
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 RADER songs.
Includes System Data Support.

Cons

Hard to find and expensive.
Like with CS 3rdReMIX, all of the older KONAMI originals have to be unlocked.
Trust -DanceDanceRevolution mix- had it's video heavily edited to meet rating standards.
Two licenses from the arcade version are missing.

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