Ever since I started making reviews for Just Dance right up to this release Just Dance 2025, every new release became a foreshadowing for an upcoming dance battle between family and friends— and Ubisoft’s long-running franchise, Just Dance 2025, is no different. The series not only draws an epic choreography with its colourful cast of coaches but it also rocks it in stages that is both playful and enchanting. But in recent years, the thirst for innovation and growth seems to be at a standstill.
And sadly, the novelty of Just Dance 2023 Edition has already escaped me. It was an innovation that felt new, fresh and even crazy yet made a lot of sense at the time. Being able to pack all future editions into one application was a crazy move. Yet what’s crazier is its move to an online space where you don’t really need to have anything downloaded to play the game. This saves a lot of space on your device which for me was a really brilliant idea.
But 2025 doesn’t provide any innovations to blow my mind— not that it needs to anyway but its clear lack of distinction between titles still kind of rubs me the wrong way.
The Party Just Keeps Going!
However, the lack of innovation doesn’t undermine the quality of Just Dance 2025. You have over fifty tracks (including alternative versions) ranging from the wacky tunes of Dubidubidu where you can “Chipi Chipi Chapa Chapa” your way to the leaderboards or even go “a-wimoweh a-wimoweh” with The Lion Sleeps Tonight. But if you’re into a more serious dance beat, Bang Bang! has your back with some sick dance moves straight from the neon-punk cityscape itself.
The variety of tracks has been something that I have always felt a bit too random. Hit tracks, wacky tunes and international songs have always been a part of the mix and Just Dance 2025 still follows that formula to this day. And while it’s not always my cup of tea to even dance to Celine Dion’s My Heart Will Go On, I would gladly jump at the chance to even celebrate with Spongebob and Patrick on their 25th Anniversary.
Arianators can even rejoice with the partnership with the singer Ariana Grande which includes five hit tracks such as Yes, and? as well as One Last Time. Doja Cat, Dua Lipa, Tate McRae, Billie Eilish and Sabrina Carpenter are even part of the all-star line-up which honestly made this year the best one yet.
On the other hand, the choreography for each track provides both the simple and extreme with some titles even providing an alternative routine such as stuff that can be played while sitting down. It’s a great feature that allows even people with disabilities to join the fun. Stages are also often eye-catching and enchanting. From the colourful tones, flashy lights or even the dark and murky themes, Just Dance 2025’s line-up provides just about anything under the sun.
It was also such a blast to just find your favourite coaches such as Rasputin and the bride still providing some much-needed continuation to the lore I was cooking up in my head from last year. Although, it’s a bit sad that we’re still not going to see their happy ending.
Core Elements
As a motion-based rhythm game, it’s one of the most accessible games that most age groups would be able to follow through, especially with its casual approach and vast range of genres and tracks. It’s simply that one game that even my non-gamer parents and friends can just enjoy without any need for complicated instructions. This is especially true with its UI integration as anyone that has managed to navigate through streaming sites like YouTube or Netflix can pretty much apply that same knowledge here.
You’ve got a sidebar that includes a Search Bar, a Home Page where you can browse through the hundreds of songs available in between versions as well as tracks available from the Just Dance+ subscription based on distinct compilations from the most popular tracks, recently added and among other things, playlist recommendations.
A Song list is also available just below the Home Page tab if you want to scroll or filter through your available songs. You can even create custom playlists or go through the curated playlists from the Just Dance team. It’s a game that has been carefully crafted for streamlined consumption.
Meanwhile, a bit further down is a Profile page where you can customize and view all sorts of unlockable stuff ranging from avatars, badges, emotes, borders and even backgrounds. They don’t particularly hold any gameplay advantages but for fans of the franchise, it’s something to always look forward to for their unique and colourful designs that just scream the same tone as the game’s unique and distinct style.
Last but not least is an addition of a store page where you can view purchased editions of the game from 2023, 2024 and 2025 to even bite-sized song packs. Though considering the number of stuff you’re already getting with the game and its Just Dance+ subscription, the additional costs don’t seem too enticing.
Camera Controller Mode. It’s an innovative feature that allows your phone’s camera to track movement. As someone who had previously played through the game using the Playstation 4’s additional camera add-on, I found it fun and a bit more precise than holding a phone or a dedicated controller like the Joy-Cons for the Nintendo Switch. Although similar to a PlayStation Camera, the mode also has similar requirements to be met such as ample space and good lighting.
Sadly, unlike the Playstation Camera, it only allows single-player rather than group play which is a bit counter-intuitive for what the game is about.
Conclusion
For the most part, nothing has really changed in how you play the game. It’s still the same old and fun dance game that boasts even better bangers that cater to just about anyone. Whether you’re here as a challenger to battle it out with your friends or just simply want a workout routine to burn some calories, Just Dance 2025 has your back, hips and even to your arms and legs. There’s even a vast array of genres with some great choreography that ranges from the simple to the extremes.
And while it might not have the most innovative additions or simply just a replacement for the World Dance Floor, it’s still one game that does its job well enough that it’s just hard not to Just Dance too.
Just Dance 2025 Edition Video Review
Reviewed on Nintendo Switch
Platform: Xbox Series X|S, PS5 & Nintendo Switch
Release Date: October 15, 2024
Code was provided by the Publisher
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