Dance Dance Revolution has been a staple in mat-based video games for nearly a decade. Its nightclub-inspired approach entices gamers world-wide by allowing them to hop and bop like idiots in the privacy of their own homes. Or, if you don’t mind coming across as a raging nut-job to the general public, DDR lets you take your dancing skills to the arcades to prove you’re the best on the block. No matter which route you choose to adopt, you’re going to have a fantastic time while working up a sweat in the process. This brings us to the latest installment in Konami’s acclaimed series, DDR: SuperNOVA, a title that attempts to build upon its roots by adding an objective-based mode. Does it succeed? Continue reading to find out.

Without further ado, let’s dismiss any confusion from the get-go. Firstly, no, this is not related in any conceivable way to CBS’s hit reality show. Additionally, while this may be a brand-new release, it doesn’t offer anything entirely original or fresh. What it does do, however, is polish everything you’ve loved about previous DDR titles through solid visuals and a stellar soundtrack sure to please any music fan.

As mentioned, all your favorite modes have returned, including a workout mode that’ll encourage you to burn calories. The real attraction here, though, lies within a mode appropriately titled Stellar Master Mode. This feature is a single-player campaign of sorts where advancing is done by completing simple (and not-so simple) tasks, such as clearing a certain amount of songs, dancing to Cyndi Lauper’s “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun,” and so on. What Stellar Master Mode ultimately adds is a sense of accomplishment for gamers, something I believe other DDR games may have been lacking to a degree.

Of course, what would a DDR game be without multiplayer? Nothing – and SuperNOVA delivers its finest multiplayer experience to date with 2-player action found both on and offline. The online play works exceptionally well and is home to a rather funky design, albeit a notch too flamboyant.

Dance Dance Revolution: SuperNOVA’s soundtrack consists of your standard DDR playlist: J-Pop, remixes of modern pop classics, and downright groovy tunes such as “Funkytown” by Lipps, Inc. Also included in the lot is the outlandish “Dance, Dance” by emo-rockers Fall Out Boy, Kelly Clarkson’s punk-inspired “Since U Been Gone,” the ever-catchy, ever-flowing synths of The Caesars’ “Jerk It Out,” and David Bowie’s “Let’s Dance.” All in all, this game packs a powerful punch with its varied soundtrack boasting 70+ tunes crafted to keep your feet moving to the beat and the good times rolling.

“How about those visuals?” That’s precisely what came to mind when I powered up SuperNOVA for the first time. The backgrounds are, simply put, remarkable works of art. From the incorporation of music videos (“Let’s Dance,” etc) to the mesmerizing 3D designs, you’re going to find a good deal to admire regarding this game’s graphical edge. 

Gameplay: 8.0
DDR fans should know what to expect, but Konami has somehow kept their game from becoming stale or mundane.

Graphics: 8.6
SuperNOVA’s exceedingly well-done backdrops make for a wonderful dancing experience. The menus are quite fashionable as well.

Sound: 8.5
A dance title will either live or die by its audio and, thankfully, DDR: SuperNOVA lives! If you have diverse, wide-ranging musical tastes, you will no doubt squeeze every last morsel of goodness out of this soundtrack. There’s literally something for everyone.

Difficulty: Medium
This all boils down to whether you’re a veteran DDR player or not. If you’re not a hardcore devotee, there’s an abundance of difficulty settings to get you grooving to the music in no time.

Concept: 7.5
If there’s one thing gamers need, it’s motivation to get off the sofa. Not only does DDR: SuperNOVA provide this very facet, it executes it in a technique anyone can adapt to.

Multiplayer: 8.0
Kinky on the outside, hearty on the inside.

Overall: 8.5
Who cares if your friends pose the question, “In what freak show are you the feature presentation?” – Dance Dance Revolution is as fun and addicting as it ever was. It sports exceptional production values, a lengthy, unique set of songs, and to put the icing on the cake, ravishing online capabilities.