Dance Central (video game)

Dance Central
Developer(s)	Harmonix
Publisher(s)	MTV Games
Director(s)	Kasson Crooker
Producer(s)	Naoko Takamoto
Designer(s)	Dean Tate
Programmer(s)	Marc Flury
Artist(s)	Dare Matheson
Writer(s)	Helen McWilliams
Series	Dance Central
Platform(s)	Xbox 360
Release date(s)	‹See Tfd› NA: November 4, 2010 EU: November 10, 2010 AUS: November 18, 2010
Genre(s)	Music, Rhythm
Mode(s)	Single-player, multiplayer

Dance Central is a music rhythm game for the Xbox 360 that uses 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. Dance Central 2 was officially announced at E3 2011 and later released in October 2011.^[1] Dance Central 3 was officially announced at E3 2012 and was released in October 2012.

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. But the new five characters are not available in this game, maybe in next time. 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 difficulty setting.
• Break it Down: A practice mode that allows beginners to learn more advanced dance moves in a step-by-step process.^[2]

Major characters

• Angel
• Miss Aubrey
• Emilia
• Dare
• Taye
• Mo
• Maccoy
• Oblio
• Elliot

Unlocked characters

• Ttiw Tolrep (known as Shinju in later games) Do this code: Left, Up, X, Up, Right, and Y.
• ELIOT
• Street Legal (known as Oblio) Do this code: B, Left, Up, Right (2x), and Y.
• Mo'Original (known as Mo) Do this code: B, Up, Down (2x), and Y.

When pressing B, Up, B (2x), L, and Y, the characters and outfits are unlocked and achievements are disabled.

Non-playable

• Dr Tan (outro only)

Venues

• 5th Period - A school inside. There's a snackbar being closed and can't be open on evenings.
• The Planks - An amusement park behind and a dock.
• The Roost - A top building behind Perro Soul Restaurant. Unlock by earning 50 stars
• Gridlock - A highway bridge. Unlock by earning 75 stars
• City Limit - A High Voltage Powerline facility. Unlock by earning 100 stars
• Dr. Tan's Estate - A mansion owned by Dr. Tan. Unlock by earning 5 stars in the seven difficulty challenges and the final challenge.

Soundtrack

On disc

The following 31 songs are included on the game disc.^[3][4] Warm up challenge songs are highlighted red, Simple challenge songs are highlighted orange, Moderate challenge songs are highlighted yellow, Tough challenge songs are highlighted green, Legit challenge songs are highlighted blue, Hardcore challenge songs are highlighted purple, and Off the Hook challenge songs are highlighted pink. All songs in the grand finale challenge led by ELIOT are highlighted pink.

Song title	Artist	Year	Choreographer	Rating	Difficulty (Out of 7)	DC or DC3 Character	DC2 Character	DC3 Venue	Crew
"Body Movin' (Fatboy Slim Remix)"	Beastie Boys	1998	Marcos Aguirre	Off The Hook	7	Oblio	Bodie	Toprock Avenue	Lu$h Crew
"Brick House"	The Commodores	1977	Ricardo Foster	Off The Hook	7	Maccoy	Glitch	Free Skate	Riptide
"Bust a Move"	Young MC	1989	Devin Woolridge	Hardcore	6	Mo	Mo	Toprock Avenue	Riptide
"C'mon N' Ride It (The Train)"	Quad City DJ's	1996	Chanel Thompson	Simple	2	Dare	Lil' T	Invite Only	Hi - Def
"Can't Get You Out of My Head"	Kylie Minogue	2001	Frenchy Hernandez	Simple	2	Miss Aubrey	Miss Aubrey	Studio 675	Hi - Def
"Crank That (Soulja Boy)"	Soulja Boy Tell 'Em	2007	Devin Woolridge	Moderate	3	Mo	Mo	Toprock Avenue	Flash4wrd
"Days Go By"	Dirty Vegas	2001	Ricardo Foster	Hardcore	6	Maccoy	Glitch	Studio 675	DCI
"Dip It Low"	Christina Milian	2004	Frenchy Hernandez	Tough	4	Taye	Taye	Studio 675	Hi - Def
"Don't Sweat the Technique"	Eric B. & Rakim	1992	Devin Woolridge	Off The Hook	7	Maccoy	Glitch	Studio 675	The Glitterati
"Down"	Jay Sean	2009	Marcos Aguirre	Moderate	3	Angel	Angel	Studio 675	Ninja Crew
"Drop It Like It's Hot"	Snoop Dogg feat. Pharrell Williams	2004	Frenchy Hernandez	Off The Hook	7	Taye	Taye	Studio 675	M.O.C.
"Evacuate the Dancefloor"	Cascada featuring Carlprit	2009	Marcos Aguirre	Warmup	1	Emilia	Emilia	Studio 675	M.O.C.
"Flava In Ya Ear (Remix)"	Craig Mack ft. Notorious B.I.G, LL Cool J, Rampage and Busta Rhymes	1994	Frenchy Hernandez	Legit	5	Taye	Taye	Invite Only	M.O.C.
"Funkytown"	Lipps Inc	1980	Marcos Aguirre	Simple	2	Miss Aubrey	Miss Aubrey	Free Skate	Riptide
"Galang"	M.I.A.	2003	Frenchy Hernandez	Simple	2	Dare	Lil' T	Studio 675	Riptide
"Hella Good"	No Doubt	2002	Marcos Aguirre	Tough	4	Oblio	Bodie	Studio 675	M.O.C.
"Hey Mami"	FannyPack	2003	Marcos Aguirre	Warmup	1	Miss Aubrey	Miss Aubrey	Toprock Avenue	Riptide
"I Know You Want Me (Calle Ocho)"	Pitbull	2009	Marcos Aguirre	Warmup	1	Angel	Angel	DCI HQ	M.O.C.
"Jungle Boogie"	Kool & the Gang	1973	Ricardo Foster	Moderate	3	Maccoy	Glitch	Free Skate	Riptide
"Just Dance"	Lady Gaga ft. Colby O'Donis	2008	Marcos Aguirre	Off The Hook	7	Dare	Lil' T	Crow's Nest	Riptide
"King of the Dancehall"	Beenie Man	2004	Marcos Aguirre	Tough	4	Angel	Angel	Crow's Nest	M.O.C.
"Maneater"	Nelly Furtado	2006	Frenchy Hernandez	Legit	5	Emilia	Emilia	Studio 675	M.O.C.
"Move Ya Body"	Nina Sky	2004	Frenchy Hernandez	Tough	4	Emilia	Emilia	Studio 675	Riptide
"Poison"	Bell Biv DeVoe	1990	Devin Woolridge	Legit	5	Angel	Angel	Invite Only	Riptide
"Poker Face"	Lady Gaga	2008	Marcos Aguirre	Warmup	1	Mo	Mo	Studio 675	Riptide
"Pon de Replay"	Rihanna	2005	Frenchy Hernandez	Moderate	3	Emilia	Emilia	Studio 675	M.O.C.
"Pump Up the Jam"	Technotronic	1989	Marcos Aguirre	Hardcore	6	Dare	Lil' T	Toprock Avenue	M.O.C.
"Push It"	Salt-n-Pepa	1987	Frenchy Hernandez	Legit	5	Taye	Taye	Toprock Avenue	Riptide
"Rendez-Vu"	Basement Jaxx	1999	Frenchy Hernandez	Tough	4	Miss Aubrey	Miss Aubrey	Invite Only	M.O.C.
"Rump Shaker"	Wreckx-n-Effect	1992	Marcos Aguirre	Moderate	3	Oblio	Bodie	Invite Only	Riptide
"Satisfaction"	Benny Benassi	2002	Marcos Aguirre	Hardcore	6	Oblio	Bodie	Studio 675	Riptide
"Teach Me How To Jerk"	Audio Push	2006	Devin Woolridge	Legit	5	Mo	Mo	Studio 675	M.O.C.

Downloadable content

The following songs have been released as downloadable content via the Xbox Live Marketplace. These songs also deliver new routines. There are 32 DLC songs available for Dance Central, and all songs are forwards compatible with Dance Central 2 and Dance Central 3.

Song Title	Artist	Decade	Choreographer	Rating	Difficulty (Out of 7)	Release Date	Character	Dance Pack	Marathon Pack	DC3 Venue
"Because of You"	Ne-Yo	2007	Marcos Aguirre	Hardcore	6	November 4, 2010	Mo	3	1	Invite Only
"I Got You Dancing"	Lady Sovereign	2009	Marcos Aguirre	Off The Hook	7	November 4, 2010	Dare	1	1	Crow's Nest
"Temperature"	Sean Paul	2006	Marcos Aguirre	Moderate	3	November 4, 2010	Angel	3		Studio 675
"Whoomp! (There It Is)"	Tag Team	1993	Chanel Thompson	Legit	5	November 23, 2010	Dare	3	1	Invite Only
"I Gotta Feeling"	The Black Eyed Peas	2009	Devin Woolridge	Moderate	3	November 23, 2010	Emilia		1	Studio 675
"Word Up"	Cameo	1986	Ricardo Foster	Tough	4	November 23, 2010	Maccoy	3	1	Free Skate
"Control"^a	Janet Jackson	1986	Chanel Thompson	Hardcore	6	November 4, 2010	Taye	2	1	Toprock Avenue
"Girls and Boys"	Blur	1994	Marcos Aguirre	Warmup	1	December 21, 2010	Oblio	4	1	Crow's Nest
"Disturbia"	Rihanna	2008	Frenchy Hernandez	Simple	2	December 21, 2010	Miss Aubrey	2	1	Studio 675
"We Run This"	Missy Elliott	2005	Marcos Aguirre	Hardcore	6	February 15, 2011	Emilia	1		Studio 675
"Le Freak"	Chic	1978	Chanel Thompson	Simple	2	February 15, 2011	Dare	4		Free Skate
"Super Freak"	Rick James	1981	Frenchy Hernandez	Simple	2	February 15, 2011	Miss Aubrey	4	1	Free Skate
"Heard 'Em All"	Amerie	2009	Marcos Aguirre	Legit	5	February 15, 2011	Taye	1	1	Studio 675
"Weapon of Choice"	Fatboy Slim	2001	Marcos Aguirre	Warmup	1	March 15, 2011	Oblio	4	1	Studio 675
"Hollaback Girl"	Gwen Stefani	2004	Chanel Thompson	Hardcore	6	March 15, 2011	Taye	2	1	Toprock Avenue
"Straight Up"	Paula Abdul	1988	Marcos Aguirre	Legit	5	March 15, 2011	Miss Aubrey	2	1	Toprock Avenue
"Turnin Me On"	Keri Hilson featuring Lil Wayne	2008	Frenchy Hernandez	Off The Hook	7	March 15, 2011	Emilia	1	1	Studio 675
"Wild Thing"	Tone Lōc	1988	Marcos Aguirre	Moderate	3	April 19, 2011	Taye	5	2	Toprock Avenue
"Lean wit It, Rock wit It"	Dem Franchize Boyz	2006	Frenchy Hernandez	Simple	2	April 19, 2011	Emilia	5	2	DCI HQ
"D.A.N.C.E."	Justice	2007	Chanel Thompson	Moderate	3	April 19, 2011	Maccoy	7	2	DCI HQ
"Fergalicious"	Fergie ft. will.i.am	2006	Chanel Thompson	Hardcore	6	May 17, 2011	Emilia	6	2	Studio 675
"Informer"	Snow	1993	Ricardo Foster	Simple	2	May 17, 2011	Maccoy	7	2	Invite Only
"Lapdance"	N.E.R.D.	2001	Devin Woolridge	Tough	4	May 17, 2011	Oblio	5	2	DCI HQ
"Say Aah"	Trey Songz	2009	Ricardo Foster	Simple	2	July 19, 2011	Oblio	7	2	Studio 675
"Break Your Heart"	Taio Cruz	2009	Chanel Thompson	Moderate	3	July 19, 2011	Dare	6	2	Studio 675
"Planet Rock"	Afrika Bambaataa and the Soul Sonic Force	1982	Devin Woolridge	Hardcore	6	July 19, 2011	Mo	7		Toprock Avenue
"Get Up"	James Brown	1970	Ricardo Foster	Moderate	3	August 16, 2011	Maccoy	6	2	Free Skate
"Get Busy"	Sean Paul	2003	Frenchy Hernandez	Tough	4	August 16, 2011	Taye	7	2	Toprock Avenue
"Get It Shawty"	Lloyd	2007	Marcos Aguirre	Moderate	3	August 16, 2011	Angel	6	2	Toprock Avenue
"Don't Cha"	The Pussycat Dolls ft. Busta Rhymes	2005	Frenchy Hernandez	Simple	2	September 20, 2011	Miss Aubrey	6	2	Studio 675
"Tempted to Touch"	Rupee	2004	Devin Woolridge	Simple	2	September 20, 2011	Angel	7	2	Studio 675
"The Way I Are"	Timbaland ft. Keri Hilson and D.O.E.	2007	Nick DeMoura	Off The Hook	7	September 20, 2011	Mo	6	2	DCI HQ

^a Free with Best Buy code.

Reception

Reception
Aggregate scores Aggregator Score GameRankings 83.22%[5] Metacritic 82/100[6] Review scores Publication Score 1UP.com A-[7] Eurogamer 8/10[8] GamePro 4.5/5[9] GameSpot 8.5/10[10] GamesRadar 8/10[11] GameTrailers 8.1/10[12] Giant Bomb [13] IGN 8/10[14]

Critical reception

Dance Central received positive reviews from critics. It received a score of 83.22% on GameRankings^[5] and 82/100 on Metacritic.^[6] It received a rating of 8/10 from IGN and a rating of 8.5/10 from GameSpot.^[10][14] 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.^[15] Nintendo of America's President, in an interview, said that "Dance Central is, by far, the best Kinect game".^[16]

Sales

As of August 16, 2016, the game has sold 3.18 million copies worldwide.^[17]

Demos

As in the 1st Dance Central, there are two types of Demo: Downloadable via Xbox Live and In game demo in the Kinect Adventures!. Both demos have Emilia and Mo as the default characters & 5th Period as the only stage in game. The demo differs from each other and have different songs.

Kinect Adventures! version:

Song title	Artist	Decade	Choreographer	Rating	Difficulty (Out of 7)	Character
"Poison"	Bell Biv DeVoe	1990s	Devin Woolridge	Legit	5	Mo
"Poker Face"	Lady Gaga	2000s	Marcos Aguirre	Warmup	1	Emilia

Xbox Live Demo version:

Song title	Artist	Decade	Choreographer	Rating	Difficulty (Out of 7)	Character
"Evacuate the Dancefloor"	Cascada featuring Carlprit	2000s	Marcos Aguirre	Warmup	1	Emilia
"I Know You Want Me (Calle Ocho)"	Pitbull	2000s	Marcos Aguirre	Warmup	1	Mo
"Poison"	Bell Biv DeVoe	1990s	Devin Woolridge	Legit	5	Mo

Sequels

During 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.^[18] 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.^[19]

References

1. "E3 2011: Dance Central 2: The Basics". IGN. Retrieved 2012-10-25.
2. "E3 2010: Harmonix Demos Dance Central at Microsoft's E3 Press Conference". 1up.com. 2010-06-14. Retrieved 2010-06-14.
3. Harmonix's "Dance Central" for Xbox 360 Kinect Coming Holiday 2010
4. "Cross Country Tour Day 12: Dancing and playtesting at Harmonix". 1up.com. Sep 2, 2010. Retrieved Sep 6, 2010.
5. "Dance Central for Xbox 360". GameRankings. Retrieved 2010-11-18.
6. "Dance Central for Xbox 360 Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved 2010-11-18.
7. Troup, Christina. "Dance Central Review for 360". 1UP.com. Retrieved 2012-10-25.
8. Gibson, Ellie (2010-11-04). "Dance Central Xbox 360 Review". Eurogamer.net. Retrieved 2010-12-11.
9. "Internet Archive Wayback Machine". Web.archive.org. 2010-11-09. Archived from the original on November 9, 2010. Retrieved 2012-10-25.
10. Watters, Chris (2010-11-04). "Dance Central Review for Xbox 360". GameSpot. Retrieved 2010-12-11.
11. "Dance Central Review". GamesRadar. 2010-11-05. Retrieved 2012-10-25.
12. "Dance Central Video Game Review". GameTrailers. 2010-11-04. Retrieved 2011-03-26.
13. starts in (2010-11-10). "Dance Central Review". Giant Bomb. Retrieved 2012-10-25.
14. Clements, Ryan (2010-11-03). "Dance Central Kinect Review". IGN. Retrieved 2010-12-11.
15. Bendixsen 8/10, O'Donnell 8/10 (29 November 2010). "Kinect Round Up Review". Season 5. Episode 42http://www.abc.net.au/tv/goodgame/stories/s3079641.htm. ABC Television. Missing or empty |series= (help)
16. http://www.gearlog.com/2011/01/nintendo_president_talks_kinec.php
17. Brendan Sinclair (19 August 2011). "Kinect Sports scores 3 million sales, Dance Central sells 2.5 million". GameSpot. CBS Interactive Inc. Retrieved 24 August 2011.
18. McElroy, Griffin. "Dance Central 2 to humiliate Kinect owners once again". Joystiq. Retrieved 6 June 2011.
19. "Dance Central 2 information". Harmonix. Retrieved 6 June 2011.

External links

• Official website