NEWBIE - Help!! Don't know where to start

dlncmora · Basic Member Joined: 16 Aug 2007

My daughters are 8 & 12 and would like to do DDR (the mat with screen to give you points for correct steps)
I know NOTHING about this - as you can probably already tell.
We do not own a Playstation, xBox, Cube or anything like that and I don't want to buy one. A guy at Best Buy told me there is a version that just has a CD or DVD and the mat? I don't want to get incorrect information. What should/could I buy? When I look online, I am completely befuddled by all the options. I don't know what ANYTHING is.
I would greatly appreciate any help or guidance you could give me.
TIA

January. · Trick Member Joined: 23 Nov 2006

yeah, they have a disney version that you can just plug in to the tv, i dunno how much it costs though. your 8 yr. old is probably too old for Strawberry Shortcake DDR (shudders), so Disney would probably be better.
i don't think your 12 year old will be too thrilled, though, as the only DDR games that might appeal to a preteen are the original games. try just treating her to an arcade machine every once in a while.
hope i helped!

_________________

your rhinestone eyes are like...
factories far away.

evilkoala · Trick Member Joined: 17 Sep 2004 Location: West Virginia

The DVD games? Those are ripoffs.

There is a solution though. You can download stepmania absolutely free at www.stepmania.com. Now before I tell you what to do about songs, I have to tell you that you will have to find pads compatible with USB ports (those rectangular looking ports that you plug digital cameras, mice, etc. - most newer computers have one). I never messed around with finding the pads so you're on your own there (if I ever done this, I would tell you, but I don't know).

Now to get the songs. There are 2 types of songs for stepmania:

1. Fan made
2. Arcade/home version songs

Due to forum rules, I can't tell you where to go to get the steps (you can e-mail me at [email protected] and I'll hook you up with the web sites if google doesn't help, just make the subject line DDR or something to that effect so I don't delete it!)

Stepmania.com and this website can help you to get the songs where they are supposed to go. I hope this points you in the right direction, and ask us any questions and we will help.

daikenkai =[ · Posted: Sat Aug 18, 2007 4:20 pm Post subject:

DO NOT buy anything expensive yet. About 95 to 98 percent of people who want to play DDR end up quitting.
When they are still beginners, let them use soft pads. They cost anywhere from 10 to 30 dollars for the regular ones.

After they have been playing for a while and can tackle 9 footers, It would then be a great time to get them serious at DDR.

A lot of people go through DDR stages. Seeing as how you have a 8 year old, I suggest getting DDR Supernova, they have American songs she is used to. DDR Supernova runs abut 45 dollars these days now.

The time to get them serious DDR gear like high-end metal pads and such would be then they get to the level in this video:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=wVQgjTFFpio

Also, since you don't have any video game consoles, the only thing I can recommend is:

www.stepmania.com

It is a DDR simulation (Not ripoff) and is free. However, it takes up a lot of space on the computer, and it is very confusing for children unless they are computer experienced.

To get them started, you will need a USB converter so they can play on the pads.

This will get very confusing, so I suggest you buy the system and a bundle. Get a PS2 used or a PS1.

Also, do NOT get the CD/DVD one. It is NOT good, and all they are doing is watching arrows. They will not get anywhere with it. Also, do NOT get the plug and plays. They are of very low quality and it sounds like trash.

SO basically, here is what I suggest:

You get a PS2, DDR Supernova bundle, and an extra pad. It will run you 170 dollars if you get it second hand, biut it is well worth it. I wouldn't recommend the trouble of going through Stepmania unless you are computer experienced, have a high speed internet connection, are willing to blow 50 dollars on pads, and get a USB converter which is very rare and most have problems.

Good luck, I hope you consider my advice.

Flameboat · Posted: Sat Aug 18, 2007 4:26 pm Post subject:

It would be a VERY good idea to go here and see if there's an arcade version somewhere near you. That way you can see if you even like the game and it'll only cost you a dollar (or less).
_________________

"its never a mistake with flamebait"

Chewphoria

ChilliumBromide · Trick Member Joined: 16 Jun 2006 Location: Beaverton, OR

If you aren't very good with computers and can't figure out how to get it working, I can compile a zipped version of stepmania with 50 or 60 songs on it and email it to you. If you don't have winzip, you should get it. You'll need it for StepMania. It's shareware, and you technically aren't supposed to use it after a 40-day trial period unless you buy it, but there are ways to get around that. Almost everyone does. However, if you can spare the money to buy it, that would be a better option.

Anyway, if you get through the whole process of having winzip or another unzipping program, StepMania is definitely the way to go, UNLESS your home computer is extremely dated.

So, can you tell me if you have:
at least 256MB of RAM (random access memory)
at least 700MHz processor
at least 5GB free hardware space
and any USB ports.

StepMania will not run right if you don't have those. As in it absolutely WILL NOT.

Anyway, if you can't get stuff running, shoot me an email at [email protected] and I'll be able to send you a no-assembly-required StepMania package.

Good luck!
_________________

I used to be active here lol

æ¢é¨ · Trick Member Joined: 03 Jul 2007

Yes, Stepmania is wonderful, and can be played with keyboard as well as a USB compatible pad. Um... do check the link for arcades near you, as the 12 year old would be more interested in that.

The DVD games are... a ripoff as previously said. if you want the real thing, do the arcades. As for home versions... Dunno. I don't have one.

^ the information above won't be any help to you ^
_________________

DarthWhammy(Angelic Mix) · Posted: Sun Aug 19, 2007 8:00 pm Post subject:

StepMania's pretty good, but I think your best bet is the home versions. You said you don't have any game systems and don't want them, but PS2's not that expensive now, I don't think. Last time I checked, it was around $120.00, I think.
_________________

Tim! wrote:

DarthWhammy: NOT Naoki

Holy freakin crap, DarthWhammy has Gary Oldman in her avatar!

dlncmora · Basic Member Joined: 16 Aug 2007

Thanks everyone for your thoughtful and helpful responses. So what I'm understanding here is that:
1 - the CD/DVD is a ripoff. Thanks for the heads up.
2 - My 2 best options are either stepmania or get an actual PS2 or PS 1 and DDR home version. If we were to do stepmania (THANKS for the offers of help - which I might take you up on at a later date) we'd have to watch it on the computer screen, correct? Not as ideal for us as the TV in the livingroom.
My opposition to game systems is mainly that I think there are much better things for a child/teen to do with/for their mind and body than playing with a joystick for hours on end. (I teach high school.) Soooo, if I wanted to get a PS2 or PS1, what is the difference in terms of DDR?
I'm thinking that my best option is to borrow a system for awhile (I think I can find SOMEONE I know willing to loan theirs out) and see if my kids will even get into it - as they think they will. I'd like to give it a go too.

DarthWhammy(Angelic Mix) · Posted: Sun Aug 19, 2007 10:05 pm Post subject:

PS2 is better than PS1, because with PS1, you can only get the 3 older games, and PS2 has backwards compatability, so it can play all the games. I personally recommend the PS2 games (Max, Max2, Extreme, Extreme2, and Supernova) because not all the songs are unlocked at the beginning, so having stuff to unlock will probably encourage your kids to play more. And I think you should get into DDR, too. It's really fun once you get good at it. I don't know how your kids will react to a parent that's good at DDR, though...(my parents are horrible at it...XD)
_________________

Tim! wrote:

DarthWhammy: NOT Naoki

Holy freakin crap, DarthWhammy has Gary Oldman in her avatar!

ChilliumBromide · Trick Member Joined: 16 Jun 2006 Location: Beaverton, OR

daikenkai =[ · Posted: Sun Aug 19, 2007 11:41 pm Post subject:

Arctic Wolves · Trick Member Joined: 16 Dec 2004 Location: Canada

Flameboat · Posted: Mon Aug 20, 2007 7:22 am Post subject:

I totally agree with Arctic Wolves (except I think the US home version of Max2 came out in 2003, not 2002). Max2 is definitely the way to go for a first timer. Seriously, I love Max1, but it would not be a good one to start playing on. Extreme would be a good one to begin on too, but beware, there was a major oversight on the part of the developers and they left out a feature that accepts input during gameplay from only the arrows- the result is that if you step on one of the corner buttons during gameplay, it is registered as an arrow, and you may mis-hit on arrow onscreen as a result. Beginners might not have to worry about that so much though.
_________________

"its never a mistake with flamebait"

Zonic · Posted: Mon Aug 20, 2007 9:25 am Post subject:

I'd say start w/ either Max2 (though I've never been fond of the songlist) or EX (really good for beginners, as that's the mix I started doing DDR with. I'd perfer to start w/ this). Plus, I bet EX would be easier to find than Max2. I wouldn't start w/ EX2 or SN, as unlocking stuff requires to get better & better, as EX & older just requires to play a number of songs & something gets unlocked. Max & PS1 DDRs don't have a beginner mode, so finding easy enough songs for beginners might be alittle hard.

& please, don't complain about EX2 or SN's E10+ rating. Someone bought SN for their 8-year-old son, had a review on Gamestop & complained about him looking at the content & should've been rated T. *coughJennycough* However, I (& maybe the rest of DDR Freak) think that the E10+ rating is perfect for DDR. (GEE, TOO BAD NOONE TOLD HER ABOUT IT!! It's not like they say what's on the game ON THE BOX! Why, there's not even a way to TURN OFF THE DANCERS! Alright, got that out.....)

daikenkai =[ · Posted: Mon Aug 20, 2007 12:08 pm Post subject:

csdthegreat · Posted: Mon Aug 20, 2007 1:10 pm Post subject:

I also recommend MAX 2. It has many unlockable songs, beginner mode, clean lyrics... I could go on for a while.

After that, try another PS2 version if their minds scream "AH MUST BECUMM DA D@NS1N MAST4!!!"

Konamix is very good, although it has a low framerate. It doesn't have beginner, but it has 52 songs (20 hidden), many favorite DDR songs, a couple modes that were fun but didn't make it to the next version, a nice interface, and more.

1st mix US has 27 songs and a random option. Many of the songs are fun to play and deserve to be repeated in a later mix. There is a beginner mode, where all the songs have a step rating of 1. It's pretty good, and nonstop adds a little more replay value.

Hope this helps.
_________________

If I hurt you, do I still get the Neccos you promised me?

I scripted modded courses. I was so awesome.

Feel the BEATS - Free online music game?! :O

Flameboat · Posted: Mon Aug 20, 2007 1:22 pm Post subject:

csdthegreat · Posted: Mon Aug 20, 2007 1:37 pm Post subject:

Yeah, always get the one with backwards compatibility.

On an unrelated note, why can't I make a new topic? I haven't been able to start any.
_________________

If I hurt you, do I still get the Neccos you promised me?

I scripted modded courses. I was so awesome.

Feel the BEATS - Free online music game?! :O