STACK #205 Nov 2021

GAMING FEATURE

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JUST MOV(I)E! There’s an official Just Dance movie in the works, described as an “ensemble comedy” from writers who’ve worked on the likes of Superstore, Corporate, The Office (US) and Fresh Off the Boat .

groups like Blur and Blondie – as it’s soldiered on through the years, a definite up-to-date chart hit bias has crept in. The antidote? A subscription to Just Dance Unlimited , which

This year marks the 13th that we’ve had an annual release in the best-selling Just Dance rhythm game series from Ubisoft. With Just Dance 2022 out this month, we take a quick look back at what it’s about – and at this year’s model. Words Amy Flower J ust Dance started life as a Nintendo Wii exclusive, and now hits all the current consoles every year – and we have those for smartphones, bringing the series to all the latest consoles with ease. The developers’ aim IT AIN’TWHAT Y AOU DANCE, IT’S THE WAY YOU DANCE IT!

offers access to 700- plus songs with the odd exclusive track, and something to please anybody sure to be found. Our top tip? Get into Boney M’s Rasputin – you won’t regret it. As the series evolves – with new modes variously added and tweaked for exercise, kids

and multiplayer dance party, and dance battle action – Just Dance 2022 delivers another 40 bangers to get busy with, along with planned themed seasonal events that introduce limited- time songs to add to the repertoire. There’s even a partnership with singer/rapper/actor/ director/choreographer/social media personality Todrick Hall for a special Just Dance version of his smash Nails, Hair, Hips, Heels . With a staggering 79 million (and

BORN THIS WAY… The Just Dance series was named after Lady Gaga’s debut single of the same name.

• Just Dance 2022 is out Nov 4

counting) units sold so far, there’s no sign of the Just Dance juggernaut slowing down anytime soon. So don’t resist – become a slave to the rhythm!

rascally Rabbids to thank for it, as the whole Just Dance idea was spawned from one of their manic minigames. Unlike dancing games before it – most notably Konami’s Dance Dance Revolution series, which required a mat (and a big enough space on which to put it) – all that’s needed to play Just Dance is some form of controller. The series’ birth on Wii was no surprise, considering Nintendo’s genius move of delivering the console with waggly motion controls out of the box. Since then, PlayStation’s Move and Xbox’s Kinect systems hosted their own Just Dance experiences, before the advent of the Just Dance Controller app SPINNING AROUND… The original Just Dance has spawned several spinoffs, including Just Dance Kids and Just Dance: Disney Party games, as well as Michael Jackson: The Experience, The Black Eyed Peas Experience, Dance on Broadway, ABBA: You Can Dance and more.

with the game was also to help teach players to actually dance, or at least add some

slick moves to their repertoire, rather than just having them jumping about pressing buttons with their feet. This brings us to the beauty of Just Dance, the greatest appeal of which remains its ease of play. Anybody young or old can stand up and shake their bits to new and old hits, and not be completely humiliated when it comes time to see their score. Just do your best to mimic the onscreen choreography and you can feel like

NEW IN 2022 A handful of classics make their way into Just Dance 2022 , including Bronski Beat’s Smalltown Boy , Sylvester’s You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real) , and Sia’s Chandelier . Meanwhile, K-pop superstars BLACKPINK enter the fray with Boombayah , and players can punch the air along to Imagine Dragons’ Believer . Add the likes of Dua Lipa, Beyoncé, Lady Gaga, Meghan Trainor, Charli XCX, Anastacia and JT, and there are going to be a whole lot of sweaty living rooms this summer!

Fred Astaire or Ginger Rogers, even if you were last in line when grace, poise and coordination were being handed out. A big draw of the Just

Dance series is, naturally, the songs. While the series kicked off with a broad range of styles, mostly by the original artists – tracks ranged from such performers as Kylie and Katy right through to rockier

78 NOVEMBER 2021

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