Summary
Dancing Stage Unleashed: The Ultimate Rhythm Game Experience
Released in 2004, Dancing Stage Unleashed (DS Unleashed) is a rhythm game that took the Xbox by storm. Developed by Konami Digital Entertainment GmbH, DS Unleashed is the European counterpart to Dance Dance Revolution Ultramix, released in North America.
DS Unleashed features the same great look and feel as Ultramix, with the same options, including online play and content download through Xbox Live. However, DS Unleashed has a unique soundtrack that features music from Big Brovaz, Blondie, and The Wonder Stuff, as well as original tracks from Konami’s in-house artists.
Gameplay
DS Unleashed is played on a dance pad with four arrow keys: up, down, left, and right. Players must step on the arrows in time with the music to score points. The game features a variety of different game modes, including:
- Dance Mode: The main game mode, where players can choose from a variety of songs and difficulty levels.
- Workout Mode: A mode designed to help players get fit, with workouts that target different muscle groups.
- Challenge Mode: A mode where players can compete against each other or the computer.
- Edit Mode: A mode where players can create their own dance routines.
DS Unleashed also features a variety of different characters that players can choose to play as, each with their own unique dance style.
Soundtrack
DS Unleashed features a soundtrack with over 50 songs, including:
- “Baby One More Time” by Britney Spears
- “Can’t Get You Out of My Head” by Kylie Minogue
- “Hey Ya!” by Outkast
- “Toxic” by Britney Spears
- “Yeah!” by Usher feat. Lil Jon & Ludacris
The soundtrack also features a number of original tracks from Konami’s in-house artists, including:
- “Butterfly” by Naoki Maeda
- “Fascination” by Ayumi Hamasaki
- “Max 300” by DJ Maxx
- “Paranoia Revolution” by DJ Yoshitaka
Reception
DS Unleashed was a critical and commercial success. The game received positive reviews from critics, who praised its catchy soundtrack, addictive gameplay, and online features. The game was also a commercial success, selling over 1 million copies worldwide.
Legacy
DS Unleashed is considered to be one of the best rhythm games ever made. The game’s popularity led to the release of two sequels, Dancing Stage Unleashed 2 and 3, which were released in 2005 and 2006, respectively.
DS Unleashed also helped to popularize the rhythm game genre on consoles. The game’s success paved the way for other rhythm games, such as Guitar Hero and Rock Band, to become major franchises.
Conclusion
Dancing Stage Unleashed is a classic rhythm game that is still enjoyed by fans today. The game’s catchy soundtrack, addictive gameplay, and online features make it a must-play for any fan of the genre.
Review Score
8.5/10
