Dance Dance Revolution (DDR) is a simple rhythm game that requires you to hit combinations of four buttons as the corresponding symbols reach a specific point on the screen in time to a particular song. While the game can be played using a gamepad, it really shines when played using a floor mat. Now you’ve got an addictive video game that requires coordination and rhythm to play. Getting a perfect score on a song requires stepping on the appropriate area of the mat in time with the music. Done well, this is dancing. Done by those of us with little natural rhythm, it’s something much more humorous to those watching.
Apparently I could learn a lot from the five-year-old in this video. As kids today say, “he’s got mad skillz.” (do they still say that?)
I look forward to the day when my daughter is old enough to play games like this, or the Sony EyeToy games, with her dad. Of course, as I get older, maybe one of those “old fashioned” video games that just use gamepads will be all I can handle. 