Starting out

[mmorrison]

[If this has been discussed elsewhere, please point me to the more appropriate subforum or thread - thanks!]

To start out with, I'm not a stranger to video games (mostly computer games as opposed to console games), but I *am* older than probably 90% of you on these forums. My son is 22 years old, you can get a rough idea from that. I'm thinking about getting DDR (for PS2) as a fun way to get more exercise. I'm an absolutely brand new newbie at this, except that I've seen people play arcade-style DDR a couple times.

Here are my questions:

What's the best DDR game to start out with? I'm kinda spooked by the thought of trying to do incredibly fast steps to techno music... I suppose there are ways to start out gradually?

What pad(s) would you recommend between $50 and $100? I've read that the sub-$30 pads won't last long, and that doesn't surprise me, but I can't really afford to start out with the top-of-the-line pads. I've read through some of the more specific forums about controllers, but I'm sorta suffering from information overload and having trouble sorting it out.

With a PS2 home version of DDR, is it possible for 2 people to play at the same time, like they do with the arcade version? (Forgive me if this is an impossibly obvious question, but like I said, I'm really, really new here.)

Thanks in advance for any helpful advice.

[Phr34k_TeN]

i'd suggest Max2 or Extreme2 to start out. Max1 is slightly off in timing and has a tighter perfect window than most console version, and Extreme imo doesn't have a songlist that'll keep u challenged for a longgg time. i'd be careful with Extreme2 tho, cuz the dance master mode will be a huge pain if ur just starting out.

yes, flimsy pads won't cut it if ur gonna be playing ddr for more than a few weeks. there's some ignition pads for less than $100. i don't think the cheap metal pads will last that long; they cost round $100 or a bit higher.

it's possible to two ppl to play at once. u just need two pads hooked up to the ps2. choose 'versus' instead of 'single.' don't select 'double' either, cuz that option will mean one player plays on both pads.
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Member of [TeN]: Phr34k

[ThePandemonium]

I would say DDRMAX2 would be the best for a beginner. It has some very easy songs but has some very hard songs. DDR Exrteme 2 has all the hard songs and lots of easy sones but Dance Master Mode (Mission Mode) is a pain and gets very hard for a beginner. As for my recommendation, I would say In the Groove, it has a great tutorial, very easy Novice mode, has the hardest songs but it has a high amount of techno songs (probaly 3/4ths of the list). You would not like it. EDIT: Also, you are looking for a DDR game not ITG sorry...

As for dance pads I would say to go with an igintion pad. If you do not know what an igintion pad is, its a pad with a foam insert in it. I highly recommend the BNSUSA DX Extreme. I have had one for a year and it still works then I got a metal pad. This will set you back $50 plus shipping.


http://www.buynshop.com/category/4985/
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[Ko5]

DDR Extreme 2 for sure.

Huge song list.

Dance master mode isnt hard at all, not until you get to Area D and by then thats the challenge you should be looking for.

Also the pad it comes with is fine -- anyone who says different is playing on the wrong surface, playing wrong, or doing something to their pad.

When I started ddr on 12-25-05 I weighed 315lbs and I have been usign the pad it came with since, still works fine and now I weigh 280lbs.

To start id say play workout mode with workout step on (on standard) and then once you get really good at that go do dance master mode. Thats what I did anyways.

[Emptyeye]

I can't really add a whole lot here, but I'll try (I'm presuming that you're someone who has NEVER played a game like this before).

First, any of the mixes besides DDRMAX would be good for an absolute beginner. Moreso than its timing window, MAX lacks a Beginner difficulty entirely, only 4 songs on it have a difficulty rating of 1, and two are locked by default. MAX2 is the only other one I have, because it had some of my favorite songs on it. I like it, but like I said, anything besides the original DDRMAX should be good from a beginners' standpoint.

As for pad recommendations, I'll second the recommendation for the BNSUSA DX Extreme. I have one of these, and I managed to pass MAX 300 Heavy (Which if you're not familiar, has a difficulty rating of 10) on it, so it should be more than adequate for you.

Finally, yes, with two pads you can indeed play with two people (Technically speaking, you can actually do it with one pad and a controller, or two controllers, but that's kind of silly unless you have a physical disability that for some reason leaves you literally unable to play with the pad). As mentioned, you'd hit versus mode (Though just for ha-has, I actually have done Double with another person where we each take one pad).

[AA Bob]

[Tyrgannus]

Max2 is the perfect way to start playing DDR. It's what I started on, it has a plethra of 1,2, & 3 footers (1 is easiest, 10 is hardest if you don't know) and seems to be well fleshed out in graduating difficulty with 4's, 5's, 6's, 7's, and 8's. If you ever start playing enough that you get to the 9-footers, then you'll be happy you got this mix, because it has some really fun and challenging charts. And if you truly do get hardcore about the game (Don't feel bad if you don't get this good, this is for the elite) then it has a Boss Song called MaxX Unlimited at 10 out of 10 difficulty.


Anyways, DDRMAX2 is the perfect version for starting you it impossibly easy 1-footers and working your way up gradually to the hardest of the hard if you choose to pursue that challenge
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AA Bob wrote:

Summer is as much of a 12 as PSMO is a 9.

[mmorrison]

Thanks everyone for your advice. I think I've got a plan now - Start with DDR MAX2 (and then add DDR Extreme2), with the BNSUSA DX Extreme pads.

Ko5 - Wow! 35lbs lost - that's great. I bet your stamina's better too.

Again, thank you for all your thoughts. Wish me luck!

[DeVolver]