The Basics

by Pakwan Kenobi, 3 February 02

• I'm a beginner, completely new to DDR. What songs are good songs to start practicing on Single?
  
  Most people will agree that songs on Basic with difficulties of less than 4 are good for beginners. This can include songs such as "Boom Boom Dollar", "Butterfly", "Silent Hill", and "Kick the Can".
  
  After a bit of practice with these songs, the harder Basic songs, such as the various versions of "PARANOiA" and "Trip Machine", "Dynamite Rave", and "Afronova" should be practiced. These songs are either a bit faster, or have much longer periods of arrows without pauses in between.
  
  A similar method can be used for Trick/Difficult and Maniac/Expert Difficulties.
  
  
• I am pretty good with Single. What songs should I practice on Double?
  
  This is my opinion, and people differ on this, but I think that one should be comfortable with at least Trick songs before attempting Double. Most Double songs require quite a bit of movement across both pads, and sightreading both sides is a little weird for the first few times on Double.
  
  Anyway, same principle as above. Easier songs first, such as "Butterfly" and "La Senorita".
  
  
• I love the music, and I want to listen to it even when I'm not playing DDR. Where do I get the music?
  
  To buy the soundtracks, you can go to online vendors such as gamemusic.com or express.com. There are others out there, but these two have been used quite frequently by the author of this FAQ, and are dependable.
  
  If you live near a shop that deals with imported video games and/or music, you can also check those out. Examples include Asahiya and Kinokuniya bookstores and video game stores such as Network Video in Northern California.
  
  
• I want to play DDR at home. Where do I buy a copy?
  
  There are a few online vendors of imported video games, including express.com and gamecave.com. Again, there are others, but these two are vendors that the author of this FAQ has found to be reliable.
  
  If you are lucky enough to live close to a store that sells imported video games, then ask them if they sell copies of DDR. An example is Network Video in Northern California.
  
  
• OK, seems like I have to make a shopping list of things to buy to play DDR at home. What do I need to have to play it at home?
  
  If you own a Playstation, go out to the store and purchase DDR USA (see Konami Game Music Game News: Issue 1). If you want to go even further, try some of the imported versions.
  
  The most common home versions of Dance Dance Revolution are the imported Playstation versions of the various mixes of DDR. To play these you will need the following:
  
  
  • A Playstation that can play Japanese/Asian games (either a Japanese PSX or a PSX with a mod-chip)
    
  • A copy of one of the various versions of DDR for the Playstation (to play the Club Version Append discs for Playstation, you will need DDR 2nd Mix)
    
  • (optional, but highly recommended) Dance mats for the Playstation (Instructions to modify these to make them more durable are contained in the Home Modding FAQ)
  
  If you have a Dreamcast that can play Japanese games, you can choose to buy the Dreamcast versions of DDR. There is no Dreamcast version of DDR 3rd Mix or DDR 4th Mix. There are also pads made specifically for the Dreamcast which are a bit more durable than those made for the PSX.
  
  
• I have a PSX with a Gameshark/Pro Action Replay so that I can play Japanese games. I can't get DDR to work.
  
  Either get a mod-chip that will allow you to play DDR, purchase the home version of DDR USA, or use these codes below to play DDR on your Playstation:
  
  Codes can be found in some of the game-specific FAQs.
  
  
• I really like my Playstation/Dreamcast versions of DDR, but I want a machine, and have a lot of money. Who do I talk to?
  
  Wow. The author of this FAQ would like to know when you get your machine. :) In any case, you can either look on eBay for a machine, or you can try to contact vendors of imported arcade machines. One such vendor is Jeff Tao, who operates Arcade Infinity in Rowland Heights, CA. You can contact him at jt221@hotmail.com.
  
  
• My friends and I really enjoy playing together at our local DDR machine, and we want to form a team. What do we need to do?
  
  [steps onto soapbox] Forming a team seems to imply competition against other "teams". While competition often improves the skills of everyone involved, there is the possibility of negative feelings being fostered against those in other "teams". The author of this FAQ believes that teams are not necessary, and are sometimes actually more harmful than helpful. However, I believe that there are many different opinions on this one. [steps off soapbox]
  
  You don't really need anything to start a team. Teams aren't necessary to play DDR. Forming a group of friends to play DDR with regularly is a good thing. After all, that's how DDRFreak.com started. All you need for a "team" is a group of people who are willing to play DDR with each other regularly. End of story.