****************************************************************************** _________ / _ | / / / / / / / / / / / / ___ ___ ___ ___ _________ / /_/ / ___ // // /___/ / _ /|_________/ /___// //___ /___ / / / / ___ ___ ___ ___ / / / / ___ // // /___/ / / / / /___// //___ /___ / /_/ __/_________ ___ ___ / __/_ ' ___ ___ /________/_/ ______ | /___/| // /// / / / / // / _________/_ /_____/ //___ |_//___///___/ / / /___// / / / / _____/______ _____ _______ _______ _______ / ____ /_/ /| |_- _-/_ _// __ | / ______// // ______/ / /____/___/ | _- _- / / / /__/ // /___ / _ _ // /___ / _______/ |- _- / / / _// _____/ / // // // _____/ / /______ _- _-| / / / /| | / /____ / // // // /____ / / _- _- | /_/ /_/ |__|/_______//_//_//_//_______/ /_________/ _- _- |__| _- _- ---- ****************************************************************************** Dance Dance Revolution Extreme (USA Version) A FAQ/Walkthrough by CyricZ Version 1.2 E-mail cyricz42 at yahoo.com ****************************************************************************** Table of Contents 1. Introduction 2. FAQ 3. Basics 3A. Controls 3B. Menus/Displays 3C. How to Dance 3D. Dancing Tips for the Beginner 3E. Dancing Tips for the Intermediate 3F. Dancing Tips for the Advanced 3G. Dancing Tips for Doubles 4. Default New Songs 4A. A Stupid Barber 4B. Believe 4C. BIZARRE LOVE TRIANGLE 4D. Diving 4E. DO ME (H.I.G.E.O Mix) 4F. DON'T CLOCK ME 4G. Firefly 4H. Go West 4I. HIGHS OFF U (Scorccio XY Mix) 4J. JANEJANA 4K. JET WORLD 4L. KICK THE CAN 4M. Kids In America 4N. LADIES' NIGHT 4O. Like A Virgin 4P. LOVE LOVE SUGAR 4Q. MIRACLE 4R. MOBO*MOGA 4S. Move Your Feet 4T. Music (Bostik Radio Edit) 4U. NEVER ENDING STORY (Power Club Vocal Mix) 4V. ONLY YOU 4W. PARANOiA ETERNAL 4X. Pink Rose 4Y. Planet Rock (Swordfish Radio Edit) 4Z. Simply Being Loved "Somnambulist" 4AA. THE REFLEX 4BB. THEME FROM ENTER THE DRAGON (notorious mix) 4CC. THERE YOU'LL BE 4DD. WAITING FOR TONIGHT 4EE. WONDERLAND (UKS Mix) 4FF. Y.M.C.A. 4GG. Your Rain (RAGE MIX) 5. Default Old Songs 5A. .59 5B. Bad Routine 5C. DROP OUT 5D. ECSTASY 5E. HIGHER 5F. i feel... 5G. I'M FOR REAL 5H. PEACE-OUT 5I. SO IN LOVE 5J. TSUGARU 5K. WILD RUSH 6. Standard Unlockables 6A. 321STARS 6B. A 6C. ABSOLUTE 6D. B4U 6E. CAN'T STOP FALLIN' IN LOVE (SPEED MIX) 6F. DROP THE BOMB 6G. Frozen Ray (for EXTREME) 6H. Funk Boogie 6I. KEEP ON MOVIN' 6J. La Senorita 6K. MAKE IT BETTER 6L. ON THE JAZZ 6M. PARANOiA MAX (DIRTY MIX) 6N. Scorching Moon 6O. TRIP MACHINE 6P. V (for EXTREME) 6Q. You're Not Here 7. Challenge Remixes 7A. B4U (B4 ZA BEAT MIX) 7B. DROP OUT (FROM NONSTOP MEGAMIX) 7C. ECSTASY (midnight blue mix) 7D. HIGHER (next morning MIX) 7E. TSUGARU (APPLE MIX) 7F. WILD RUSH (FROM NONSTOP MEGAMIX) 8. Red Songs 8A. MAXIMIZER 8B. The legend of MAX 8C. TRIP MACHINE Survivor 9. The ??? Song 9A. MEMORIES 10. Nonstop Mode 11. Challenge Mode (aka Oni Mode) 12. Party Mode 12A. EyeToy Games 12B. Other Games 13. Mission Mode 13A. Normal Missions 13B. Hard Missions 14. Other Modes 14A. Endless Mode 14B. Lesson Mode 14C. Training Mode 14D. Edit Mode 14E. Workout Mode 15. Secrets 15A. Characters 15B. New Songs 15C. New Courses/Modes 16. Standard Guide Stuff 16A. Legal 16B. E-mail Guidelines 16C. Credits 16D. Version Updates 16E. The Final Word ****************************************************************************** 1. INTRODUCTION ****************************************************************************** Hi and Konnichi wa! Welcome to my FAQ for DDR Extreme USA for the Playstation 2! I refer to this as a "FAQ/Walkthrough", but there's very little "walking through" to be done with this game. Anyone familiar with Konami's most famous member of the BEMANI series will know that there are few written tips that can be given for the Dance Dance Revolution series. You have to trust your own feet and your burning soul. However, I will, in this FAQ, give you the heads-up on what the songs are, where they come from, and a few tips to get you ready for tackling them. ****************************************************************************** 2. FAQ ****************************************************************************** Q: What is Dance Dance Revolution Extreme? A: DDR Extreme is Konami's latest foray into the DDR world as it gradually makes its way to American shores. Q: How does one play Dance Dance Revolution games? A: It's actually pretty simple. Your "controller" has four directions: left, down, up, and right, which are shown at the top of your play screen. You select a song. As the song plays, arrows will start scrolling up to your top line. When an arrow scrolling up reaches the line of arrows at the top, you must "step" on the direction matching that arrow's direction. If two arrows come up at once, you must press both at once. If a green "freeze" arrow appears, you must hold that step at the beginning until the freeze arrow ends. Q: How many songs in this mix? A: 70. One less than MAX, one more than MAX2. (Well, 71, maybe.) Q: Are there any more songs than the ones you have listed? A: NO. There is no MAX. (period), no PARANOIA Surivor, no PARANOiA -Respect-, no bag, no CARTOON HEROES, no BUTTERFLY, no DAM DARIRAM, no Sandstorm, no Sakura, no Dance Dance Revolution. Sorry, but there's always next year. Q: EyeToy!? WTF? A: Yeah, the EyeToy peripheral has been applied to the DDR scene with this release. Using it isn't required for gameplay, but there are a few cute new games to play with it, as I will explain in the Party Mode section. Q: Is this just like the DDR Extreme in the arcades? A: Not really. For licensing reasons, the fact that the USA has missed several old songs from previous mixes, and the introduction of brand new songs for the American audience, we're given a hodgepodge of DDR material in this mix from several different mixes, but mostly from the later mixes in the arcades. There is a distinct abscence, however, of DDR Extreme Konami Originals. Q: Why isn't (insert song here) in this mix or any others? A: Usually, it's directly related to the fact that, despite Konami's usage of these songs for DDR, the songs are still owned by the songs' artists. This means that the contract the artists have with Konami only refers to the games they specify, which is generally the arcade mix, and (most of the time) the corresponding Japanese Playstation console port. Getting the songs over here is a whole other story, and I feel that we're lucky to get the songs that we do. Of course, if your beef is why we don't get certain Konami Originals, then I dunno what to tell you. Q: Does this mix have Oni Mode? A: Yes! Challenge Mode (more coloquially known as Oni Mode) makes its triumphant return after being absent in the last game. Also, Nonstop Mode stays on, and there's Endless Mode, Party Mode, Mission Mode. It's crazy. Q: Just who is NAOKI? A: Naoki Maeda has been with Konami for many years. The name is a psuedonym (Naoki M is an anagram for Konami). He is the leader of Konami AM Internal Sound Team, who are in charge of coming up with songs for each new DDR release. He's responsible for many songs throughout DDR-dom, under lots of artist names. He also has the support of other artists, such as Paula Terry, Thomas Howard, and Aaron G. His artist names include, but are not limited to: Omega (the symbol), 1479, 180, 190, 190', 200, 270, 290, 8 bit, B3-PROJECT, BIG-O, BLUE DESTROYERS, Crystal Aliens, DANDY MINIERO, d-complex, DJ KAZU, DE-SIRE, DIVAS, DR. VIBE, FACTOR-X, FIXX, KTz, Luv UNLIMITED, mitsu-O!, MR. DOG, MUSTACHE MEN, N&S, N.M.R, NAOKI, NAOKI 190, NAOKI underground, NM, NO.9, NW260, RE-VENGE, RevenG, Stone Bros., TailBros, THE FINAL BAND, THE SURRENDERS, UZI-LAY, Z, ZZ. Some of these are not actually names for Naoki, but sometimes artists he's used for vocals in the songs. Q: What is Dancemania? A: A rather large series of albums, developed by Toshiba-EMI, which showcase a lot of dance music from artists all over the world. Konami's BEMANI studio has a long-standing partnership, where DDR gets Dancemania licenses (for relatively cheap) while DDR plugs Dancemania in its games. Q: What is beatmania? A: Developed almost concurrently with DDR, BM is a series of games where you use your fingers instead of your feet. You have a set of keys, like a piano, and you have to tap those to create the music (each key tap adds music to the playing score). Also, you have a turntable to "scratch", which also adds sound. The original beatmania had 5 keys, beatmania IIDX has 7 keys (and is the only one of the series still coming out with new mixes), and beatmania III has 5 keys and a foot pedal. Q: What are Guitar Freaks and Drummania? A: These ongoing series are favorites from BEMANI. Guitar Freaks uses a guitar with three neck buttons and a "pick", which allows you to insert music into the song. Drummania is similar, using a drum set. A few mixes into the series, BEMANI got the wise idea of combining the two series, giving each mix the same list, and allowing the machines to link up. Q: What is Dance ManiaX? A: This is a short-lived series that was made to showcase more Dancemania tunes, as well as a bunch of Konami Originals. It's played with light beams, and blocking them in time with the music. Q: What is Keyboardmania? A: This is another short-lived series based around a keyboard. Much like Konami's other games, you're required to play the keyboard (composed of two octaves) to create the music as the game dictates to you. Q: What is pop'n music? A: This is a currently ongoing BEMANI series that is similar to beatmania, only it just involves a bunch of colored buttons. It has a more cartoonish look to it than other BEMANI series, and many of the songs are happy songs, or songs from popular anime. Q: Hey, did you know that (insert song here) was in (insert game here) first? A: Well, please, if I've made mistakes, let me know. I pride myself on a healthy knowledge of BEMANI, but no one's perfect. If something's wrong, tell me. Q: What song plays on the "How To Play" screen? A: "DDR Extreme DEMO" by NAOKI. Q: What song plays on the Game Mode Select screen? A: "DDR Extreme SELECT" by NAOKI. Q: What song plays on the EDIT DATA screen in Game Mode? A: "To Step" by Supa Fova. Q: What song plays on the Lesson Mode main screen? A: "DDR Extreme SONG LIST" by NAOKI. Q: What song plays on Lesson Mode 1? A: "Try 2 Luv. U" by S.F.M.P (featured in DDRMAX2). Q: What song plays on Lesson Mode 2? A: "A Stupid Barber" by Sho-T. Q: What song plays on Lesson Mode 3? A: "BABY BABY GIMME YOUR LOVE" by DIVAS (featured in Konamix and DDRMAX). Q: What song plays on the Information Screen? A: "I Need You (Insideout Door 3Mixes)" by Supa Fova. Q: What song plays on the Endless Mode Break Stage? A: "SO IN LOVE ~train~" by Caramel S. and The Master Q: Why are there no "Dance Play Settings" on the Options screen? A: Because Konami hates us, or they just plumb forgot. You'll just have to refine your feet to step more properly on the arrows. Alternatively, if you have a device to transfer game files from your PC to PS2 (like a MAX drive), download the system files from the following link: http://www.ddrfreak.com/versions/saves-home.php?version=135 Q: How do I unlock "MEMORIES"? A: Through the game? No one knows how to, yet. Check the special section on MEMORIES later in the guide for info on this well-hidden song. Q: I think a genre you have listed is incorrect. A: Tell me what you think it should be, but present a good case, because I've asked a lot of people about this subject. However, if you're disputing a genre that has a star (*) after it, then I won't bother, because those are the official genres as Konami states. ****************************************************************************** 3. BASICS ****************************************************************************** This covers most of the stuff you can find in the instruction booklet, but we all know how often people hang onto those. ============== 3A. Controls = ============== Directional Buttons: Moves your selection on all the menus or steps in that direction. Circle, X: Confirm selection Triangle, Select: Cancel selection Start: Start game Start and Select at the same time: Return to title screen ==================== 3B. Menus/Displays = ==================== Main Menu Game Mode: Select this to access the main game (see How To Dance for more info). Party Mode: This is a separate aspect of the game, used if you wanna add a little more spice to your DDR experience. There are some modes that use the EyeToy and some that don't. Mission Mode: UNLOCK (Play 45 Songs) In this mode, you can play specific challenges that the game creates for you. Endless Mode: This needs to be unlocked first. Set your options, pick your poison, and dance until you drop! Lesson Mode: Tutorial for total beginners. Training Mode: Practice any open song in any kind of situation. Edit Mode: Create your own step patterns for any open song. Workout Mode: A more fitness-oriented way to play. Records: View your high scores for Game Mode and Workout Mode. Options: Basic option stuff. Check below for more info. Credits: Select to view the game credits whenever you wish. Information: Whenever you get new stuff, you'll see a big flashing NEW! next to this. Check to find out what you got. --- Options Menu Sound Options: Sound: Select from Stereo, Monaural, or Dolby Pro Logic II. Voice: Select to have All voices, No Booing, or no voices. Timing: Changes the sync between the steps and music. Controller Settings: Double Mode Settings: Allows you to adjust the controls for Double Play if you use a controller Save/Load: Save: Save system data. Load: Load system data. Auto Save: Will Auto Save whenever you change anything or do anything. Edit Folder Load: Will automatically load Edit Data at startup if On. Game Options: Game Level: If set to a harder difficulty, the Dance Meter will decrease more if you miss. Max Stage: Set how many stages to a play. Game Over: "Arcade" will stop immediately once you fail. "End of Music" will game over at the end of the tune if you fail. Event Mode: If set to On, then you cannot access the Extra Stage, and whenever you finish a play, you immediately go back to the Song Select screen. Also, you will not drop out at all if you fail. Default Difficulty: Allows you to set where the cursor will be at the "Select Music" screen. Useful if you're impatient. Graphic Options: Dancer Display: Toggle whether or not a dancer will dance in your background. Movie: Toggle whether or not the background movie plays. BG Brightness: Set how bright the background is if it's distracting you. Step Mark Colors: Type1 is the default. Type2 has solid different colors to tell between 1/4 notes, 1/8 notes, etc. Flicker Free: Adjusts for flickering on your TV. Screen Adjustment: Use to center the screen on your TV. ================== 3C. How To Dance = ================== Select Your Style Single Mode: This is a 1-player mode using the pad you used to start the game. Versus Mode: This is a 2-player mode where each player uses a pad. Double Mode: This is a 1-player mode where the player uses both pads. Every song has different steps for Double Mode than Single. --- Select Character Hey! The characters are back for good (it seems)! From the get-go, you'll only be able to select Rhythm or Blues. Once you play songs, you'll unlock more characters. Additionally, you can select RANDOM for a random character, or OFF to not have characters displayed. --- Select Music Use Left and Right to switch songs. Tap Up or Down to change the difficulty. Press X or Circle to select. Press Start to change the sorting from the standard alphabetical full list, to an alphabetical list where you can pick the letter, to by BPM from slowest to fastest, and your "favorites", which is measured by the total score from all your plays of the song divided by the number of the difficulty each time you played. While your selection's on a song, you'll see a little graphic for the name. Above the picture, you'll see which song in your current play this one will be (1st, 2nd, Final, etc.) and the BPM for the song (which may be dynamic). Below the graphic, in the center of the screen, is the foot rating for the each difficulty in the song (the higher number, the harder the song). Difficulties: Beginner (BEG): Almost all songs are 1-footers. You also have an on-screen dancer stepping the steps along with you. Light (LGT): Most songs range from 2 to 5 feet. This is pretty simple if you're getting used to DDR. Standard (STD): Most songs range from 4 to 7 feet. Largely, you'll find that steps reflect how the music goes, as opposed to just being on the beat. Heavy (HVY): Most songs range from 6 to 10 feet. These are the tough ones where they focus on two things: matching the song's notes exactly, and/or kicking up the difficulty to give you pains. Challenge (CHA): A special "second Heavy" difficulty. Only certain songs have this difficulty, some as the only difficulty. If you can't figure out what song you want, you can select ROULETTE. This will start the song list rolling. Press X to stop it. It's tough to get it to stop on a song you want, though. Once your song's picked, you can still adjust the difficulty. Also, in this mix, you can select RANDOM. This will automatically pick a random song at the current difficulty. You will not be able to adjust anything once you hit the RANDOM button. Select NONSTOP and you can access the NONSTOP Course screen. Go to the pertinent section of the guide for more information. If you decide to play a NONSTOP course, it will count as your entire play. Select CHALLENGE and you can access the CHALLENGE Course screen. Go to the pertinent section of the guide for more information. If you decide to play a CHALLENGE course, it will count as your entire play. Select EDIT DATA and you pick some of the Edits you've thrown together. --- Select Options Hold down X or Circle as you select your songs to bring up the Song Options menu: Speed: This is the speed of the arrows on the screen. It doesn't affect the speed of the song, just the arrows. Boost: If turned on, the arrows will gradually speed up as they move on the game screen. Appearance: "Visible" is the normal setting. If "Hidden" is on, the arrows will vanish about half-way. If "Sudden" is on, the arrows will appear about half-way. If "Stealth" is on, you won't see the arrows at all. Turn: "Off" is normal. "Mirror" rotates all arrows 180 degrees. "Left" rotates them 90 degrees to the left. "Right" in the other direction. "Shuffle" randomizes the rotation, but all steps of the same arrow go to the same of another arrow, for instance, if one up arrow becomes a left arrow, then all up arrows will be left arrows. Other: "Off" changes nothing. "Little" will eliminate several steps to make it easier. "Flat" makes all arrows the same color, as opposed to the grading colors used to distinguish beats. "Solo" will change colors so that you can distinguish beats more easily. "Dark" will remove the "Step Zone" from the screen. Scroll: "Standard" is normal bottom to top scrolling. "Reverse" is, oddly enough, scrolling from top to bottom. Freeze Arrow: You can turn the Freeze Arrows off. Step: Yet another chance to change the difficulty of your song. --- Are You Ready? The main field consists of the arrows and the Step Zone, which is a line of arrows on the screen. As the song plays, arrows will begin scrolling along the screen. As the arrows reach the Step Zone, you need to step on those arrows. If you see a green Freeze Arrow, you need to step on that arrow and hold it until the Freeze Arrow ends (you don't need to remove your foot when it ends, just stay on it until it ends, and move your foot at your leisure). On the top of the screen is the Dance Meter. It starts about half full. As you step properly, it'll fill more. If you misstep, your Dance Meter will start emptying. If it empties completely, game over. On the bottom of the screen is the difficulty (in case you forgot), and your score as it tallies up. Also in the middle of the screen, you'll see words pop up as you step: PERFECT: You stepped more or less precisely on the arrow. Combo continues, the dance meter increases, and you get the maximum possible score from that step. GREAT: You just about stepped on the arrow. Combo continues, the dance meter increases, and you get half the maximum possible score for the step. GOOD: You're off on the step by a bit. Combo stops, but the dance meter doesn't change. You get no points. ALMOST: You're off on the step by quite a bit. Combo stops, and your dance meter decreases. You get no points. BOO: You completely missed the step. Combo stops, and your dance meter decreases. You get no points. OK!: You stepped on the whole Freeze Arrow. You get the normal maximum score for a step. NG: You stepped off the Freeze Arrow before it ended. Combo continues, but your Dance Meter will decrease. You get no points. Also marked on the screen is your combo, which is how many PERFECTS and GREATS you have in a row. The announcer will tell you when you hit 100 combo, 200, etc. --- Evaluation Once you complete the song, you'll see an Evaluation Screen. You'll receive a letter grade, a tally on how many of each step you got, your maximum combo, and your score. Scoring is measured by the following algorithm: X = The total number of standard steps (double steps count as one) + (2 * the total number of Freeze Arrows) Y = 70,000,000 / X Each PERFECT and OK is worth Y points. Each GREAT is worth Y/2 points. All other types of steps are worth no points. So, your maximum possible score is 7 million, plus however many bonus points you've received, which maxes at 10 million, I haven't figured out the bonus algorithm, yet. The letters are AAA, AA, A, B, C, D, and E. The letter grade is determined by tallying up the number of Dance Points you scored in the song (see above for how each step gives you Dance Points). E is a failing grade. D, C, B, and A are progressive grades based on your score (including bonus). AA is given for a large score. To get this, you'll have to get a full combo, since you get about an extra million bonus points for the full combo. AAA is given for all PERFECTs and OKs on Freeze Arrows. In addition to the letter, you'll get a star if you have a full combo. --- Extra Stage! If you played your last song on Heavy or Challenge difficulty and the rating was 8 or more, and you got at least a AA on it, you'll access the Extra Stage. Here, you'll be forced to play TRIP MACHINE Survivor on Heavy. The song will be played with the options 1.5x and Reverse turned on. Your Dance Meter is special here, too. Instead of a normal Dance Meter, you'll have a No Recovery Dance Meter, which will start completely full. If you misstep, the Dance Meter will go down, and you cannot increase it back up. If you pass the Extra Stage, you'll permanently unlock TRIP MACHINE Survivor. From then on, if you earn the Extra Stage, you'll play The legend of MAX under the same conditions. The same is true if you unlock TRIP MACHINE Survivor by playing 95 Songs. =================================== 3D. Dancing Tips for the Beginner = =================================== KEEP PRACTICING! So, you've just got into DDR, eh? Good for you! You've become a part of a cult sensation that still holds tons of respect in arcades across the country! This game will probably seem quite overwhelming to you at first, especially if you watch people play it and watch them do 9-footers. Don't sweat it. You CAN be as good as them with the proper practice and effort. If you really want to get into this, definitely use the Official DDR Pad. There's no PS2 controller to use in the arcades, so learn the pad nice and early. Most game stores have a few of these tucked away (possibly more, if Konami's hyping this game like they should). If you're truly a beginner, you may just want to start with a nice cheap pad. That way, if you find it's not for you, you're not out a huge investment. So, to begin, use the Lesson Mode the game provides you. It will walk you through the basics and coach you to be a better dancer. Despite the Lesson Mode, here are some tips I can give you as a beginner: 1. Get a good feeling for the beat. People who have performed with music have an advantage. People in marching band have a serious advantage. ~_^ You'll be stepping to the beat in these early stages, so get used to it now. 2. Now that you have the beat, you must "find the arrows". Yeah, sure. I know they're right there in front of you, to your sides, and behind you, but can you hit them without looking? Early on, you'll find that's your biggest problem: taking a step and not landing on the arrow. If you have to look, look, but that tactic won't last forever, so before a song takes off, take some cursory steps to make sure you're hitting arrows. 3. Keep your center. Especially on cheap pads with no definition, you'll find yourself often taking leave of the center of the pad as you continue stepping. If there's a break in the song, look down to make sure you're in the center. 4. Use the balls of your feet. You may notice, after some days of a lot of playing, that your ankles will start hurting. That's normal, and it's happened to most everyone I know that DDRs. This is your feet telling you to not step with your heels, but with the front of the foot. Get into that habit. 5. Now that you have these basics, and the Lesson Mode (largely) completed, head into Beginner Mode and start tackling songs. In particular, get used to the speed of the songs, as well as the speeding-up, slowing-down, and stopping some songs do. When that just gets too easy, take a deep breath and head into the real DDR world with Light Mode. Try to keep your songs at three feet or below, but don't be afraid to venture out into the great unknown. ======================================= 3E. Dancing Tips for the Intermediate = ======================================= KEEP PRACTICING! Well, you're definitely not a n00b anymore (pardon my French). You're at the point where you wouldn't completely humiliate yourself at the arcades, but you probably won't impress many people there. In fact, you may just bore them with your simple steps. It's time to go to the next level. At this point in your career, it's time to consider a new pad. For me, this meant going to redoctane.com and ordering their standard soft pad. This pad has a soft bottom which won't slip or bunch up as much. It's still not a serious pad, but you could do worse with fifty bucks. So, first tip is to KNOW THE SONGS. You don't necessarily need to memorize the steps, but have a basic understanding of the song before you go into it. Even memorize the music itself, the lyrics, etc. so you can whistle along. Know where the tempo changes may occur, where stops are. Most importantly, know where the songs musical notes occur in the melody, because these will be mostly what you step. Now that we're heading into dangerous territory, there is one big rule that I have to stress right away: Remember how in the last part I told you to "find your center"? Well, you've found it by now, so now it's time to GET OFF IT. That's a crutch that's let you into the game, but it will hold you back later on. What you have to learn is to return your feet to the center as rarely as possible, if at all. Move your feet from one arrow to the next, and don't move them unless you have an arrow to go to. This is probably the hardest thing you'll ever have to learn as a DDR player. Once you've relinquished your grip on the center, you only stand to improve up to the highest reaches of DDR-dom. This actually leads to the other major point of going intermediate: Eighth notes. Those are those off-colored ones. You'll have to deal with a lot of them, so learn to love them now. This is actually a good first step to leaving the center, because you are absolutely required to step three or more arrows in succession, and you'll have no time to return to the center at all. Use groups of three eighth notes to figure how to properly move between arrows; combinations such as up-left-down, where your right foot goes on up, left foot goes on left, and your right foot is already carrying back towards the down arrow, for example. Once you get strings of three down, you'll be ready to tackle longer strings, of four, five, seven, even nine if they're not too tangly. So, for this end, you'll want to go for songs of four to six feet in difficulty, as well as treading into the pink pink waters of Standard Mode. Just about all songs of this difficulty have at least several eighth notes to give you practice. Take these opportunities to develop your step combinations for your own style, so you'll be ready to use them when they appear again in harder songs. Also, it may behoove you to get into Workout Mode or Endless Mode and repeatedly hammer some songs, particularly those of a brisk pace. This is a good first step to building up all-important stamina. =================================== 3F. Dancing Tips for the Advanced = =================================== KEEP PRACTICING! All right. You're through messing around, and through getting condescending looks from your peers at the arcade. It's time to show them what you can really do and kick it up a notch or three. If you're really serious now, it's once again time for a new pad. Although 7, 8, and even some 9-footers are possible on a soft, flimsy pad, you just won't get the high scores you cherish. For this, I turned to RedOctane's Ignition 2.0. It's also a soft pad, but the thick foam insert, soft gripping bottom, and raised step platforms make it a good pad for aspiring champions, all for a paltry 100 clams. Of course, if you have the money to blow (approximately $300), you may want to take it even further and buy the Cobalt Flux pad, which is a custom-made hard metal pad. It's VERY resilient, and much like pads you'll see in the arcades. Anyway, pads aside, it's time to get down to business: First, you better have mastered the stuff from the previous sections. I want to be able to yell out a song title and for you to hum it right there so you know what it sounds like. I don't wanna see your feet touch that center, soldier, or you'll drop and give me fifty. At this point, you should also have quick enough eye-foot coordination so that matching arrows on the screen with proper steps is second-nature. Now, for some new tactics: Chaos. You'll soon find as you reach the higher levels, that not all arrows are quarter notes and eighth notes. You'll find sixteenths, twelfths, and thirty-second notes thrown in to mess you up. Very rarely will they be in random. Almost always, they'll match up with how the song goes, so you'll at least have that going for you. So, a thorough knowledge of the songs will allow you to surmount this hurdle with little difficulty. Taps. This is the name I like to give eighth notes all on the same arrow. These are always a pain, because you have to train your foot to tap rapidly on the same arrow for a possibly long time, and it can really wear you out. There's no easy way to get around this, you just have to learn it as you go. Gallops. This is the popular name for a series of steps that has two sixteenth note steps together, then two sixteen notes of dead space, then two note steps together, and so on. When you step these notes, you'll feel like a horse gallopping, which derives the name. Oftentimes, these notes will be strung so that the last note in one gallop is the first note of the next gallop. To properly step these, leave your last-stepping foot in place, so it'll be ready to step the next gallop while your other foot moves to the next note. This leads to the final tactic. Axis of Rotation or "crossovers". Contrary to popular belief, you do not have to have your upper body directly facing the screen at all times. A very important tactic for the toughest songs is turning your body so that making truly difficult steps becomes easier. Using alternating feet on long series' of eighth notes is far less taxing than taking two or more eighth notes with one foot. The best way to start turning your body is with left-down-right eighth note combos. Left foot on the left arrow, right foot on the down, and turn so that your left foot hits the right arrow. It'll be very disorienting at first, but the hard songs will really take it out of you if you don't learn. After learning a basic turn, learn to maintain your body at a 90 degree angle to the screen for extended periods of time, and then taking it further by rotating 180 degrees, or even 270 and 360, if you're brave enough to take your eyes off the screen. Finally, it's important to be in relatively good shape for this. You have to have the proper stamina and leg strength to pull off the toughest ones, because rather dexterous and tiring feats will be required of you, so keep pounding at it, do hard songs repeatedly to build up strength, and push yourself harder and harder to go all the way up to the great green Heavy Mode. And lastly, never tackle 10-footers without a good insurance plan backing you up. ^_^ ============================== 3G. Dancing Tips for Doubles = ============================== KEEP PRACTICING! Get ready to relearn DDR all over again as you branch out towards the second pad. First of all, it'd be best you get good pads for this. Soft flat mats are just no good at all, since they'll slide apart and over each other. Even Ignition Pads are tough for this, since they can move as well, unless you can find some way to lash them together. The best, naturally, is the Cobalt Flux dual setup, which you can connect. Okay, you probably should begin your Doubles career after at least mastering Standard on Single, but it's best on Heavy. One of the greatest things to "unlearn" from Single Play is to be able to move your entire body. When playing Single, you'll generally maintain your upper body in one place spatially, but that definitely won't fly on Doubles. Crossovers take on a whole new meaning when playing on higher levels on Double Play. In a general sense, you'll be playing with your left foot on the right arrow on the left pad, while your right foot will be on the left arrow on the right pad. A lot of the stepcharts on Doubles are engineered so you dance around that setup. After that, it's all pretty much getting used to the new setup. Practice and practice some more. Build up your stamina, learn how to read eight arrows, and know where to step. ****************************************************************************** 4. DEFAULT NEW SONGS ****************************************************************************** These songs are available to you by default, and they are brand new to the Playstation DDR scene (ie. they've not been in DDR USA, DDR Konamix, DDR Disney Mix, DDRMAX USA, or DDRMAX2 USA). DDR Ultramix, while an American release, is not counted as a "past release" for Konami's purposes. ===================== 4A. A Stupid Barber = ===================== Artist: Sho-T Genre: Euro House* BPM: 132 Difficulty: Sgl Dbl BEG: 1 LGT: 4 3 STD: 6 7 HVY: 7 8 Heavy Notes: There are a few odd parts to this song, such as a couple of sixteenth spots in the main melody. Otherwise, there isn't much but short to medium-length streams and a few steps within freeze arrows. --- Lyrics: Bee-da-bama bee-da-bama yabadama bee-da-bama-yeah (Bonjour, bonjour) Bee-da-bama bee-da-bama yabadama bee-da-bama-yeah (Awww, yeah) I'll be there for you! And it makes me wonder! Let's start! I'll be there for you! And it makes me wonder! (Rock the show!) Overloaded! Doo-doo-dadoh-da-doh-beep-n-bop-boo-bop! Bada-doo-doo-dadoh-da-doh-beep-n-bop-boo-bop! (Come on) Doo-doo-dadoh-da-doh-beep-n-bop-boo-bop! Bada-doo-doo-dadoh-da-doh-beep-n-bop-boo-bop! (Come on) Bee-da-bama bee-da-bama yabadama bee-da-bama-yeah Bee-da-bama bee-da-bama yabadama bee-da-bama-yeah Rock the show! (Yeah yeah!!) Bee-da-bama bee-da-bama yabadama bee-da-bama-yeah (Bonjour, bonjour) Bee-da-bama bee-da-bama yabadama bee-da-bama-yeah Doo-doo-dadoh-da-doh-beep-n-bop-boo-bop! Bada-doo-doo-dadoh-da-doh-beep-n-bop-boo-bop! (Come on) Doo-doo-dadoh-da-doh-beep-n-bop-boo-bop! Bada-doo-doo-dadoh-da-doh-beep-n-bop-boo-bop! (Come on) (Yeah yeah!!) Doo-doo-dadoh-da-doh-beep-n-bop-boo-bop! Bada-doo-doo-dadoh-da-doh-beep-n-bop-boo-bop! (Come on) Doo-doo-dadoh-da-doh-beep-n-bop-boo-bop! Bada-doo-doo-dadoh-da-doh-beep-n-bop-boo-bop! (Come on) Doo-doo-dadoh-da-doh-beep-n-bop-boo-bop! --- Song Type: Konami Original First Appearance: DDR Extreme (PS2 JP) Artist Notes: Shoichiro Hirata is a Konami in-house musician. His credits include the Groove series and "Share My Love", as well as several beatmania tunes. ============= 4B. Believe = ============= Artist: Eddie.J Genre: Dance Pop BPM: 136 Difficulty: Sgl Dbl BEG: 1 LGT: 4 4 STD: 6 7 HVY: 7 8 Heavy Notes: There's not much to talk about for this song. Streams that lead into and out of freezes, a few eighth-note jumps, and a smidgen of chaos at the end. --- Lyrics: No matter how hard I try You keep pushing me aside And I can't break through There's no talking to you So sad that you're leaving Takes time to believe it But after all is said and done You're going to be the lonely one, Ohh Oh Do you believe in life after love I can feel something inside me say I really don't think you're strong enough, Now Do you believe in life after love I can feel something inside me say I really don't think you're strong enough, Now Do you believe in life after love I can feel something inside me say I really don't think you're strong enough, Now Do you believe in life after love I can feel something inside me say I really don't think you're strong enough, Now --- Song Type: Licensed Cover First Appearance: Karaoke Revolution DDR Debut: BRAND NEW Artist Notes: The name's probably a Konami-made placeholder name. Anyone with more insight is free to give it. Misc. Notes: This is a cover of the popular love song by Cher, released in 1998. =========================== 4C. BIZARRE LOVE TRIANGLE = =========================== Artist: Jerry Genre: 80's New Wave BPM: 119 Difficulty: Sgl Dbl BEG: 1 LGT: 4 3 STD: 5 7 HVY: 7 7 Heavy Notes: Lots of streams, and there are several locations where they'll throw a double step or a freeze into the stream to trip you up. Not too much more than that, but there's plenty of it. --- Lyrics: Every time i think of you I feel shot right through with a bolt of blue It's no problem of mine but it's a problem I find Living a life that I can't leave behind Every time I see you falling I get down on my knees and pray I'm waiting for that final moment You'll say the words that I can't say Every time I see you falling I get down on my knees and pray I'm waiting for that final moment You'll say the words that I can't say --- Song Type: Licensed Cover First Appearance: Karaoke Revolution DDR Debut: BRAND NEW Artist Notes: The name's probably a Konami-made placeholder name. Anyone with more insight is free to give it. Misc. Notes: This is a cover of the original song by New Order, released in 1986. Sorry, I had this wrong, and originally thought the Frente version predated this one. ============ 4D. Diving = ============ Artist: 4 Strings Genre: Trance BPM: 140 Difficulty: Sgl Dbl BEG: 1 LGT: 3 2 STD: 5 5 HVY: 6 6 Heavy Notes: Mostly simple streams and simple freeze tricks. There are some freezes late in the song that come in off the beat. --- Lyrics: Tell me a secret I will tell you mine Tell me about desire You hide inside There is so much that we Should have done I was insecure, but Now I'm strong Diving, knowing it was you I keep on trying Diving into you Diving into you I'm turning How to fly --- Song Type: License First Appearance: BRAND NEW Artist Notes: 4 Strings is the psuedonym of Carlos Resoort, a Dutch DJ-producer. He specializes in trance music. Another of his tunes, "Take Me Away" is featured in DDRMAX2 USA. This song was featured on his first full-length album "Believe". ============================ 4E. DO ME (H.I.G.E.O Mix) = ============================ Artist: MUSTACHE MEN Genre: Disco House BPM: 130 Difficulty: Sgl Dbl BEG: 1 LGT: 5 3 STD: 7 7 HVY: 8 8 Heavy Notes: While not too fast, the Heavy steps are marked with streams with double steps, as well as gallops. Pay attention to the music, as you'll get some chaos that follows the beats. --- Song Type: Licensed Cover First Appearance: DDR 4th Mix Plus (Arcade) Artist Notes: MUSTACHE MEN is a Naoki alias. Misc. Notes: The original song is licensed by Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff. ==================== 4F. DON'T CLOCK ME = ==================== Artist: POPULA DEMAND feat. THE GET FRESH GIRLS Genre: Hip Hop BPM: 124 Difficulty: Sgl Dbl BEG: 1 LGT: 3 2 STD: 4 4 HVY: 6 4 Heavy Notes: Mostly light streams with some crossovers, but there are two nasty spots, both of them are streams composed entirely of double steps. That's Air, folks, plain and simple. --- Lyrics: (This DJ cut different ways) (This DJ cut different ways) (This DJ cut different ways) (This DJ cut different ways) The beat just rocks me, don't try to stop me Don't wait up and yo, don't clock me The beat just rocks me, don't try to stop me Don't wait up and yo, don't clock me Crush you like a nutcracker crushes a nut This is about a former rival when I'm on the cut I stay in, yo' memory like the date of your birth I drink you like Gatorade when I'm quenchin' my thirst I'm the fact in this matter and you're the fable I'll cut you like my DJ cuts a record on the table. I wanna rock get off the background You know what guys I oughta beat you down Like a dog, I'll put you in a muzzle I'll break ya in pieces like a jigsaw puzzle I'll rape your rhymes and I'll murder your style I'm the one doin' the same, yeah your arch rival I'm conductin', arrangin', puttin' it all in place Form a line sucka, so you'll plead your case I wanna rock (you can't touch it) The beat just rocks me, don't try to stop me Don't wait up and yo, don't clock me The beat just rocks me, don't try to stop me And yo, don't try to clock me! --- Song Type: License First Appearance: DDR Solo Bass Mix (Arcade) Artist Notes: This artist chiefly works for Toshiba-EMI's Dancemania album series. This song appeared on the album Dancemania Bass #2. ============= 4G. Firefly = ============= Artist: Be For U Genre: J-Pop BPM: 150 Difficulty: Sgl Dbl BEG: 1 LGT: 1 2 STD: 5 5 HVY: 7 8 Heavy Notes: The main thing that drives up the difficulty here is the recklessness of the way the freezes are thrown in. There's also some offbeat steps, and some chaos following the music. --- Lyrics: ima kono ryuute hirogete sorani mukaitte hashirisou saa ryuukou hikari no youni hitogomini nagasare asu ni nani wo moto meruno tsukurareta reeru ayun deikudake genshitsuni batsukaru koto ni kizutsuku no osore naide nigedashi tai tokidemo akiramenaide mada kainu asuni kitaishite iinjanai jibun ni makenai tameni soshite shinjiru tameni ookiku ryuute hirogete sorani mukaitte habatakou!! jibun no tsuyusa itsuka (yosa itaboko) koreruyuuni ima kono ryuute hirogete asunini no yume takuserunara sao byokou itsukano jubin kiminara dekiru kitto kagayakeru poku niha bai eru kimino hikari gazutto --- Song Type: Konami Original First Appearance: DDRMAX: DDR 6th Mix (Arcade) Artist Notes: Be For U is Noria Shiraishi, Riyu Kosaka, Yoma Komatsu, and Shiyuna Maehara. Since DDR 5th Mix, this J-Pop band has put together a whole bunch of songs for DDR and other Konami rhythm games. They're most well-known, in addition to this song, for the "DIVE" series, "BREAK DOWN!", and "GRADUATION". Also, Riyu Kosaka and Yoma Komatsu have done their own solo acts for certain songs, such as "true..." and "ever snow". ============= 4H. Go West = ============= Artist: Pet Shop Boys Genre: New Age BPM: 120 Difficulty: Sgl Dbl BEG: 1 LGT: 4 3 STD: 5 5 HVY: 6 7 Heavy Notes: Pretty simple for the most part due to its easy speed. Mostly simple streams with some double steps in them. There's a small bit of Chaos when the steps follow the melody and also some harder Chaos when you have to step the percussion bits and the "Come on, come on". --- Lyrics: Come on, come on, come on, come on (Together) We will go our way (Together) We will leave someday (Together) Your hand in my hands (Together) We will make our plans (Together) We will fly so high (Together) Tell all our friends goodbye (Together) We will start life new (Together) This is what we'll do (Go West) Life is peaceful there (Go West) In the open air (Go West) Where the skies are blue (Go West) This is what we're gonna do (lyrics continue at fade-out) --- Song Type: License First Appearance: BRAND NEW Artist Notes: Pet Shop Boys are Chris Lowe (keyboardist) and Neil Tennant (singer). They're a British electronic group that's been together since 1981. This song is part of their 1993 album: "Very". Misc. Notes: This song has a music video, which will negate the dancing characters. =================================== 4I. HIGHS OFF U (Scorccio XY Mix) = =================================== Artist: 4 REEEL Genre: Disco BPM: 130 Difficulty: Sgl Dbl BEG: 1 LGT: 1 2 STD: 5 5 HVY: 7 8 Heavy Notes: This song's on the high-end of the seven-footers. There are several crossovers, and several spots with a few sixteenths thrown in. There are also some double steps within streams. Lastly, the last chorus of the song is one long stream with some sixteenths inside. --- Lyrics: On, on, then on and on and on They go on, on, then on and on and on I got the beat in my body I got the beat in my body (Rock the party Rock the party Rock the party) Higher and higher I'm gonna light a fire (whoo!) Higher and higher Oh, I'll take you higher Stop screamin' and tryin' to look hard I keep my body raw You dig that, who's the star? I'm a veteran, which means that I've been In the game too long since the days are paper-thin Way back when, I've been puttin' it down Ask your homie who's the baddest in your midsouth town I float like a butterfly, sting like a bee Spectacular on the M-I-C I know we're both never giving it less than the best Lots of years in the game at your request, huh You like to rhyme, bark everywhere I get the papers so I don't care Fly, that's me, the epitome Of what a real MC is supposed to be Buggin' you up everytime that I drop A funky rhythm, baby, I've got a certain spark I got the beat in my body (Rock the party Rock the party Rock the party) Higher and higher I'm gonna light a fire (whoo!) Higher and higher Come on, I'll take you higher --- Song Type: License First Appearance: DDRMAX: DDR 6th Mix (Arcade) Artist Notes: Mark Summers is Scorccio, a little known artist, but he's done a lot of work for Toshiba-EMI's Dancemania album series, including having his own CD in the series. 4 REEEL is Miss Da Mina, a model turned rapper/singer who raps the lyrics in this piece (I believe she's the one in little green squares in the music video). No clue yet on the blonde lady who sings the chorus. Misc Notes: This song has a music video that will negate any dancing characters. So, apparently, I was incorrect. Someone contacted Konami directly and they solemnly swear that there's no swearing in this song, else they wouldn't have put it in this game, but it does sound very convincing. ============== 4J. JANEJANA = ============== Artist: T.E.M.P.O. feat. Mohammed & Emi Genre: Bolly House BPM: 125 Difficulty: Sgl Dbl BEG: 1 LGT: 3 3 STD: 5 5 HVY: 7 8 Heavy Notes: The main feature of this tune are the long streams that carry along with the driving music. There are also a few gallops, and the end of the song follows the odd beat. --- Lyrics: Haven't got a clue. Help! --- Song Type: Konami Original First Appearance: Dance ManiaX DDR Debut: DDR Extreme (Arcade) American Appearances: DDR Ultramix (Song Pack 5) Artist Notes: T.E.M.P.O. is Tomosuke Funaki, a BEMANI artist who composes for many different series. Mohammad and Emi are the vocalists. =============== 4K. JET WORLD = =============== Artist: Mutsuhiko Izumi Genre: Rock'n Country* BPM: 138 Difficulty: Sgl Dbl BEG: 1 LGT: 3 4 STD: 5 6 HVY: 8 8 Heavy Notes: The basic stuff of this song are long streams and a few crossovers. There are a few points that focus on the guitar, where you'll follow the strums with sixteenths. --- Lyrics: WOW! Yeah! WOW! C'mon! WOW! Yeah! WOW! Good God! Yeah! Uhh! Yeah! Yyyyyeaaah! WOW! Yeah! WOW! C'mon! WOW! Yeah! WOW! Good God! Yeah! Uhh! Yeah! Yyyyyeaaah! WAAAAA!!! Wow wow! WAAAAA!!! Wow wow! WOW! Yeah! WOW! Yeah! WOW! Yeah! WOW! Yeah! WAAAAA!!! WAAAAA!!! WAAAAA!!! Wow wow! WAAAAA!!! Wow wow! C'mon! WOW! Yeah! WOW! Yeah! WOW! Yeah! WOW! Yeah! WAAAAA!!! WAAAAA!!! --- Song Type: Konami Original First Appearance: Guitar Freaks 2nd Mix DDR Debut: DDR Extreme (Arcade) American Appearances: DDR Ultramix 2 (Song Pack 12) Artist Notes: Mustuhiko Izumi is a BEMANI artist who's heavily involved in the Guitar Freaks and Drummania series. ================== 4L. KICK THE CAN = ================== Artist: BUS STOP Genre: Euro Dance BPM: 144 Difficulty: Sgl Dbl BEG: 1 LGT: 3 3 STD: 6 6 HVY: 7 8 Heavy Notes: This is actually a pretty simple Heavy. Mostly medium-length streams. There aren't even any crossovers. Good for those breaking into Heavy. --- Lyrics: Kick it. Kick it, Kick it. Kick the can, man! (here we go, here we go, here we go) (kick it) (come on and kick the can, man) (oi!) Well hello now here we go, To start the party, start the show. So get yourself right in the line, Bus Stop's here, it's party time. Kick your legs high in the air, Do it like you just don't care. Now every woman, every man, come and kick the can. Kick your legs up in the air. kick it like you just dont care. every woman, every man. (get it up, get it up, get it up) (come on and kick the can, man) (kick it) (come on and kick the can - and kick the can, man) --- Song Type: License First Appearance: DDR 4th Mix (Arcade) Artist Notes: BUS STOP is a UK rap group famous for giving classic songs their treatment, and several of their songs have appeared in the realm of DDR, including KUNG FU FIGHTING, NA-NA, SWING IT, and LONG TRAIN RUNNIN'. This one's based off Jacques Offenbach's overture to "Orphée aux Enfers" (Orpheus in the Underworld), written in 1858. The song is more commonly known as the "Can-Can". ===================== 4M. Kids In America = ===================== Artist: KIM WILDE Genre: 80's New Wave BPM: 159 Difficulty: Sgl Dbl BEG: 1 LGT: 4 3 STD: 6 7 HVY: 7 8 Heavy Notes: The biggest thing to watch out for is the end, where there are a few gallops to match the percussion. Beyond that, there are a few weird freezes, and some double jumps in streams. --- Lyrics: Looking out a dirty old window Down below the cars in the City go rushing by I sit here alone And I wonder why Friday night and everyone’s moving I can feel the heat But it’s soothing Heading down I search for the beat in this dirty town Down town the young ones are going Down town the young ones are growing We’re the kids in America (Whoa-oh!) We’re the kids in America (Whoa-oh!) Everybody live for the music-go-round (La la la la la la, la la la la la la) (La la la la la la, la la la la la la) We’re the kids We’re the kids We’re the kids in America (repeat) --- Song Type: License First Appearance: BRAND NEW Artist Notes: Kim Wilde is a British pop star most popular for this particular song, released in 1981. Misc. Notes: This song has a music video, which will negate the dancing characters. =================== 4N. LADIES' NIGHT = =================== Artist: Angle R Genre: Disco BPM: 120 Difficulty: Sgl Dbl BEG: 1 LGT: 4 3 STD: 5 6 HVY: 7 8 Heavy Notes: In addition to your standard double steps in some streams, and freezes, there are also a few gallops in this tune, as well as a few small clusters of sixteenths dotted throughout the song. --- Lyrics: Oh yes, it's ladies' night And the feeling's right Oh yes, it's ladies' night Oh what a night (oh what a night) Oh yes, it's ladies' night And the feeling's right Oh yes, it's ladies' night Oh what a night (oh what a night) Romantic Lady, single baby Mmmmmm sophisticated mama Come on you disco lady, yeah Stay with me tonight, mama, yeah If you hear any noise It ain't the boys, it's ladies' night, uh huh Gonna step out ladies' night Steppin' out ladies' night Gonna step out ladies' night Steppin' out ladies' night Oh yes, it's ladies' night And the feeling's right Oh yes, it's ladies' night Oh what a night (oh what a night) Oh yes, it's ladies' night And the feeling's right Oh yes, it's ladies' night Oh what a night (oh what a night) Oh yes, it's ladies' night And the feeling's right Oh yes, it's ladies' night Oh what a night (oh what a night) Oh yes, it's ladies' night And the feeling's right Oh yes, it's ladies' night Oh what a night (oh what a night) --- Song Type: Licensed Cover First Appearance: Karaoke Revolution Artist Notes: The name's probably a Konami-made placeholder name. Anyone with more insight is free to give it. Misc. Notes: This is a cover of the popular song by Kool & The Gang, released in 1980. =================== 4O. Like A Virgin = =================== Artist: tama_happytone Genre: 80's Pop BPM: 126 Difficulty: Sgl Dbl BEG: 1 LGT: 3 3 STD: 5 5 HVY: 8 8 Heavy Notes: Lots of medium-length streams, but few crossovers. The first third or so has several clusters of sixteenths, and in the second half, you'll find a few small double step streams. --- Lyrics: I made it through the wilderness Somehow I made it through Didn’t know how lost I was Until I found you I was beat, incomplete I’d been had, I was sad and blue But you made me feel Yeah, you made me feel Shiny and new You’re so fine and you’re mine I’ll be yours ’till the end of time ’cause you made me feel Yeah, you made me feel I’ve nothing to hide Like a virgin (Hey!) Touched for the very first time Like a virgin When your heart beats Next to mine Good inside --- Song Type: Licensed Cover First Appearance: Karaoke Revolution Artist Notes: The name's probably a Konami-made placeholder name. Anyone with more insight is free to give it. Misc. Notes: This is a cover of the popular song by Madonna, released in 1984. ===================== 4P. LOVE LOVE SUGAR = ===================== Artist: dj TAKA feat. NORIA Genre: Euro Beat* BPM: 155 Difficulty: Sgl Dbl BEG: 1 LGT: 4 3 STD: 5 5 HVY: 7 7 Heavy Notes: There's a lot of offbeat steps in this song, but everything else is pretty simple for your average seven-footer. --- Lyrics: Here we go! go! go! go! go! go! go! go! go! go! go! go! go! go! go! go! go! jump! jump! jump! jump! jump! jump! jump! jump! jump! jump! jump! jump! jump! jump! jump! jump! dokidoki Love Sugar kimi no heart chotto misete sugoku lovely ukiuki my honey happi love! rakki love! tanoshii story matteru Call my name, take my hand Don't close your window nante ne You are so cute, you are so nice, I love you love you love you so much. Pleasure Time sora ga taku waratte Just a little skip shite itsudatte nandatte dou ni kanaru kara? Pleasure Time koe tooku tobashite satou mitai na koi tabete kimi wa taiyou itsumademo What will be done tomorrow!? go! go! go! go! go! go! go! go! go! go! go! go! go! go! go! go! jump! jump! jump! jump! jump! jump! jump! jump! jump! jump! jump! jump! jump! jump! jump! jump! --- Song Type: Konami Original First Appearance: pop'n music 8 DDR Debut: DDR Extreme (Arcade) Artist Notes: dj TAKA should be no stranger to Bemani fans. Often considered to be just as popular (if not moreso) than Naoki, Takayuki Ishikawa has been with Konami since beatmania IIDX. He's done many DDR and beatmania tunes. Noria Shiraishi is a member of Be For U (see Firefly). Misc Notes: The banner specifically says "Heart Love (squared) shuga (in Japanese) Heart", but it's said as "LOVE LOVE SUGAR". ============= 4Q. MIRACLE = ============= Artist: ST. JENNARO Genre: Disco House BPM: 128 Difficulty: Sgl Dbl BEG: 1 LGT: 2 2 STD: 5 5 HVY: 7 8 Heavy Notes: An odd song on Heavy. One would consider it averages out to be a seven-footer, because a lot of it is pretty easy, except for the beginning, which has chaotic steps, and a rarity for DDR, sixeenths leading to a double step. Just vibrate your feet to get it. --- Lyrics: Miracle, miracle, miracle, miracle Miracle, miracle, miracle, mi-miracle Miracle, miracle, miracle, miracle Miracle, miracle, mi-mi-mi-mi... It's a miracle, it's a miracle It's a miracle, it's a miracle It's a miracle, it's a miracle And dreams are made of emotion... It's a miracle, it's a miracle It's a miracle, it's a miracle It's a miracle, it's a miracle It's a miracle, it's a miracle Dreams are made of emotion It's a miracle, it's a miracle Dreams are made of emotion It's a miracle, it's a miracle And dreams are made of emotion... Ow... --- Song Type: License First Appearance: DDRMAX: DDR 6th Mix (Arcade) Artist Notes: ST. JENNARO produces for Toshiba-EMI'S Dancemania series. This song is a rehash of Culture Club's "It's a Miracle", released in the '80's. =============== 4R. MOBO*MOGA = =============== Artist: Orange Lounge Genre: French Pop* BPM: 172 Difficulty: Sgl Dbl BEG: 1 LGT: 3 3 STD: 6 6 HVY: 7 7 Heavy Notes: Several small streams. Some of them require you to crossover. Mostly the steps follow the music, with eighth notes coming in off the beat. --- Lyrics: par la fenetre de ta fiat 500 tu me regardius et je t'ai vu tes gout semblanit parfait on s'est compris tout de suite a fond et des rendez-vous de la nuit parfois on s'attend sous la pluie et tout, c'etait miracle la musique ! les yeux dans les yeux nos histoires romantiques on commence tous les deux pres de moi? English Translation: From the window of your fiat 500 you were looking at me and I saw you Your taste seems perfect We understood each other right away completely and night-time rendez-vous/meets. Sometimes they wait for each other under the rain And all of it, it was a miracle. The music! gazing into each other's eyes our romantic stories It starts with both of us Close to me... Credit for the lyrics goes to the DDRMX forums. I'm told these are not entirely correct, so any French-speaking people out there who wish to lend a hand, please do so. --- Song Type: Konami Original First Appearance: Dance ManiaX DDR Debut: DDR Extreme (Arcade) American Appearances: DDR Ultramix (Song Pack 4) Artist Notes: Tomosuke Funaki is a Konami Original artist from beatmania. Shizue Tokui is the vocalist in this song, and the two of them together are Orange Lounge. ==================== 4S. Move Your Feet = ==================== Artist: Junior Senior Genre: Dance Pop BPM: 118 Difficulty: Sgl Dbl BEG: 1 LGT: 3 3 STD: 5 5 HVY: 7 7 Heavy Notes: There are a bunch of ugly looking steps in the beginning and not too far from the end. These steps follow the synthy brass. Beyond that, there are some crossovers and several standalone gallops. --- Lyrics: Everybody Move your feet And feel united ohohoh Everybody Move you're feet And feel united ohohoh Oh yeah, you got the dance energy Oh yeah, you got the dance energy Oh yeah, you got the dance energy Oh yeah, you got the dance energy D-d-don't stop the beat I c-c-can't control the feet P-p-people in the streets C'mon everybody, move you're feet Don't stop, (don't stop) don't stop, the beat I can't stop, (can't stop) can't stop the beat I won't stop, (won't stop) won't stop the beat And go Everybody, Move your feet, And feel united ohohoh Everybody, Move your feet, And feel united ohohoh Yeah --- Song Type: License First Appearance: BRAND NEW Artist Notes: The band's members are Jesper Mortensen (Junior) and Jeppe Laursen (Senior). These two Dutchmen started the band in 1998, and truly took off in 2002. This particular song is considered to be one of their finest, earning high acclaim worldwide. Misc. Notes: Clearly, parts of this song are based on the French Folk Song, Can-Can. Two Can-Can songs in one game, eh? I think there's a foul, somewhere. This song has a music video, which will negate the dancing characters. =============================== 4T. Music (Bostik Radio Edit) = =============================== Artist: Darude Genre: Trance BPM: 138 Difficulty: Sgl Dbl BEG: 1 LGT: 4 2 STD: 6 6 HVY: 8 7 Heavy Notes: Ah, good old trance songs. Repeating parts of music means repeating steps. The main synth gives you gallops in the first part of many measures. Beyond that, there are pretty big streams incorporating said gallops, and about a third of the way into the song are "near triplet" steps that quickly go to all double steps. --- Song Type: License First Appearance: BRAND NEW Artist Notes: Still performing today, Ville Virtanen is a Finnish producer who made it big with Sandstorm, which was featured in DDRMAX USA. He first released Music in 2003. =============================================== 4U. NEVER ENDING STORY (Power Club Vocal Mix) = =============================================== Artist: DJ AC-DC Genre: Euro Trance BPM: 140 Difficulty: Sgl Dbl BEG: 1 LGT: 4 3 STD: 6 7 HVY: 7 8 Heavy Notes: Mostly long streams in this song, with a few gallops and clusters of sixteenths which follow the music. --- Lyrics: Turn around, look at what you see... In her face, the mirror of your dreams... Make believe I'm everywhere Living in your eyes Written on the pages It's the answer to a never-ending story (ahhh...) Never-ending story (ahhh...) Lies that keep their secrets When I fall behind the clouds There upon a rainbow Is the answer to a never-ending story (ahhh...) Never-ending story (ahhh...) --- Song Type: License First Appearance: DDR 5th Mix (Arcade) Artist Notes: This mix was developed by G.Moroder. The original version, based on the popular movie, was made by A New Found Glory. Misc. Notes: Yes, this is the exact same NEVER ENDING STORY that was in the arcades, only with the added mix name. ============== 4V. ONLY YOU = ============== Artist: CAPTAIN JACK Genre: Swing Pop/Euro Dance BPM: 93 Difficulty: Sgl Dbl BEG: 1 LGT: 3 3 STD: 4 6 HVY: 7 7 Heavy Notes: The slow pace of this song makes the large streams in the song a small issue. There are sixteenths thrown in, of course. What you need to recognize is that, while the song has a swing beat, the sixteenths are all completely straight. --- Lyrics: (This is radio station CJ-Boogie, with the brand new world premiere song from Captain Jack: Only You) Only you, can make me feel so true. I'll never, never be so blue, as long as I have you. Only you, can make me feel so true. Whatever-ever I can do, it's because of you. Only you, can make me feel so true. I'll never, never be so blue, as long as I have you. All the hoochie-mamas, throw your hands up (hands up!) All the hoochie-mamas, throw your hands up (hands up!) All the hoochie-mamas, throw your hands up (hands up!) Gotta let me hear you say yeah (yeah!) You like me, I like you, So happy, your my boo. Would you like, to join my crew, Fly up high, to the skies so blue. Only you, can make me feel so true. Whatever-ever I can do, it's because of you. Only you, can make me feel so true. I'll never, never be so blue, as long as I have you. --- Song Type: License First Appearance: DDR 4th Mix (Arcade) Artist Notes: Captain Jack is a band led by Franky Gee, an American who has done his time in the military. After leaving the service, he decided to leave the country that seemed so pro-war to him, so he settled in Germany, where he eventually picked up his music career. Most of his songs are militaristic, but he's sure to place his anti-war and pro-unity messages in many of his songs. He's the male vocalist for this tune, and Lisa De Soto is the female vocalist. Misc. Notes: This song has a music video which will negate any dancing characters. Other CAPTAIN JACK songs in American mixes are MY GENERATION in DDRMAX USA and DREAM A DREAM and IN THE NAVY '99 in DDRMAX2 USA. ====================== 4W. PARANOiA ETERNAL = ====================== Artist: STM 200 Genre: Jungle BPM: 200 Difficulty: Sgl Dbl BEG: 2 LGT: 5 5 STD: 6 6 HVY: 9 9 Heavy Notes: Worthy of the name PARANOiA, even if it wasn't done by Naoki. The steps tend to follow the music, and the streams don't get too long, which it good because they make you turn and crossover something fierce. Also, the end has some freezes mixed in with the streams. --- Lyrics: Sound! (repeated) --- Song Type: Konami Original First Appearance: DDR 5th Mix (Arcade) American Appearances: DDR Extreme USA Artist Notes: While most PARANOiAs are composed by Naoki, this is a mix created by a fan as part of a contest. Misc. Notes: Other PARANOiAs include the original in DDR USA and DDR Konamix, PARANOiA MAX (DIRTY MIX) in DDR USA, PARANOiA MAX (DIRTY CLUB MIX ANOTHER) in DDRMAX USA, PARANOiA KCET (clean mix) in DDR USA and DDRMAX2 USA, PARANOiA Rebirth in DDR Konamix and DDR Ultramix, and PARANOIA EVOLUTION in DDRMAX USA. =============== 4X. Pink Rose = =============== Artist: Kiyommy + Seiya Genre: Heart* (J-Pop) BPM: 146 Difficulty: Sgl Dbl BEG: 1 LGT: 3 3 STD: 5 5 HVY: 8 7 Heavy Notes: The first half of the song has plenty of triplets that follow the beat of the song, and they switch back and forth between basic streams. The latter half has a rather large amount of freeze arrows. --- Lyrics: Ah, sawaranaide Atataka nasonotewa Watashi no subete kuruwasu Ne, yurusanaide Kitsuzuchio osaete Hohoenderu anataga iru Mou, karaenaine Ochiteku tokino amai katori Kurikae sutabini hidokunaru DAKISHIMETE Imadake suki datta furishite Datta hitotsunakenara Zenbu zenbu iranai BLOOMIN' LIKE A ROSE Hontono kodokumo shiranai Mada awai hanabirani Namidano tsubu kakaetamama --- Song Type: Konami Original First Appearance: Keyboardmania 3rd Mix DDR Debut: DDR Extreme (Arcade) Artist Notes: Seiya Murai is the composer of this tune, and Kiyomi Kumano is the vocalist. The two tend to do a lot of work on the Keyboardmania and pop'n music series. ======================================== 4Y. Planet Rock (Swordfish Radio Edit) = ======================================== Artist: Paul Oakenfold vs Afrika Bambaata and The Soul Sonic Force Genre: Trance BPM: 126 Difficulty: Sgl Dbl BEG: 1 LGT: 3 2 STD: 5 5 HVY: 7 7 Heavy Notes: Mostly the steps follow the music. You'll have a few streams with double steps in them, but the real test of your skill comes from the middle. It seems innocent enough, just some small streams and freezes, but it tends to twist you around, and surprise you with off-beat steps. --- Lyrics: You gotta rock it, pop it, 'cause it's the century There is such a place tht creates such a melody Our world is but a land of a master jam, get up and dance It's time to chase your dreams Up out your seats, make your body sway Socialize, get down, let your soul lead the way Shake it now, go ladies, it's a livin' dream Love Life Live Say, Planet Rock! --- Song Type: License First Appearance: BRAND NEW Artist Notes: Often referred to as the godfather of hip-hop, Afrika Bambaata created Planet Rock way back in 1982, and it remains his greatest hit to this day, spawning countless remixes and retoolings, including this particular one by Paul Oakenfold, which was featured in the movie Swordfish (starring John Travolta). Paul Oakenfold is a wildly popular English DJ, who's been in the club scene since 1984. ======================================= 4Z. Simply Being Loved "Somnambulist" = ======================================= Artist: BT Genre: Trance BPM: 135 Difficulty: Sgl Dbl BEG: 1 LGT: 4 3 STD: 6 6 HVY: 7 7 Heavy Notes: The only real tricky part is when the song throws some triplet steps at you twice to follow the percussion. Other than that, just follow the simple streams as they lead into and out of freezes. --- Lyrics: So little joy, so little joy It's complicated So little time, so little time To get acclimated So little hope, so little hope And I'm praying now for love Yeah, yeah yeah So little time the pace Has changed, but I'm still waiting A thousand years of timeless days Somnambulating I'm stumbling Wounded in the dark But I'm praying again for love Love, love Praying for love Love, love, love Simply being loved Love, love Simply being love, love, loved Simply being love, love, loved Simply being love, love, loved Is more than enough, yeah yeah Simply being loved, yeah, yeah Simply being loved, yeah, yeah Simply being loved Is more than enough Simply being love Is more than enough Simply being loved Is more than enough --- Song Type: License First Appearance: BRAND NEW Artist Notes: Brian Transeau is considered one of the pioneers of trance music. Originally from Washington DC, this artist has been in the business for ten years, and has worked closely with *NSYNC's JC Chasez multiple times. ================= 4AA. THE REFLEX = ================= Artist: DURAN DURAN Genre: 80's New Wave BPM: 126 Difficulty: Sgl Dbl BEG: 1 LGT: 2 2 STD: 5 5 HVY: 8 7 Heavy Notes: An eight-footer on a slow song means lousy steps, and this song doesn't disappoint. In addition to non-eighth steps, there are plenty of spots where there are three sixteenths, one after another. --- Lyrics: Fle-fle-fle-fle-flex You've gone too far this time But I'm dancing on the valentine I tell you somebody's fooling around With my chances on the dangerline I'll cross that bridge when I find it Another day to make my stand oh-whoa High time is no time for deciding If I should find a helping hand oh-whoa Why don't you use it Try not to bruise it Buy time don't lose it Why... why... Why don't you use it The reflex is a lonely child Just waiting by the park The reflex is in charge of finding A treasure in the dark And watching over lucky clover Isn't that bizarre Every little thing the reflex does Leaves you answered with a question mark Cha-la-la-la --- Song Type: License First Appearance: DDRMAX2: DDR 7th Mix (Arcade) Artist Notes: DURAN DURAN should be no stranger to those who know back a couple of decades. This song is one of the British new age group's better hits. ================================================== 4BB. THEME FROM ENTER THE DRAGON (notorious mix) = ================================================== Artist: B3-Project Genre: World House BPM: 142 Difficulty: Sgl Dbl BEG: 1 LGT: 3 3 STD: 6 7 HVY: 8 8 Heavy Notes: The big word here, besides "HOOOOWAAH!", of course, is crossovers. There are a large number of streams with crossovers. Also sprinkled throughout is a liberal portion of gallops leading into those streams. There are also a few spots (orchestra hits) where the steps follow the music. --- Song Type: Licensed Cover First Appearance: DDR 4th Mix Plus (Arcade) Artist Notes: B3-Project is a Naoki alias. Misc. Notes: This was originally called "Revival 2001 Mix". Don't ask me why they changed it. This tune was originally written by Lalo Schifrin for the movie of the same name, starring the late martial arts superstar, Bruce Lee. ====================== 4CC. THERE YOU'LL BE = ====================== Artist: DJ SPEEDO feat. ANGELICA Genre: Speed Rave BPM: 172 Difficulty: Sgl Dbl BEG: 1 LGT: 3 2 STD: 6 6 HVY: 8 8 Heavy Notes: This song's on the low-end of eight footers. There are small to medium streams, a few doubles in streams, some crossovers, but no serious chaos steps. --- Lyrics: In my dreams I'll always see you soar above the sky In my heart there'll always be a place for you for all my life There you'll be... (etc.) When I think back on the times And the dreams we left behind I'll be glad 'cause I was blessed to get to have you in my life When I look back on these days I'll look and see your face You were right there for me In my dreams I'll always see you soar above the sky In my heart there'll always be a place for you for all my life I'll keep a part of you with me And everywhere I am there you'll be And everywhere I am there you'll be There you'll be... (etc.) --- Song Type: License First Appearance: DDRMAX2: DDR 7th Mix (Arcade) Artist Notes: This is a speed remix by an artist who works with Toshiba-EMI's Dancemania series of albums. The song is a remix of the classic song by Faith Hill. ========================== 4DD. WAITING FOR TONIGHT = ========================== Artist: P.A.T Genre: Dance Pop BPM: 125 Difficulty: Sgl Dbl BEG: 1 LGT: 4 3 STD: 5 6 HVY: 7 8 Heavy Notes: The song doesn't move too fast, but there are issues from several odd steps that require crossovers, double jumps in streams, and taps. Also, there are a few clusters of sixteenths at the main chorus. --- Lyrics: Waiting for tonight (tonight, tonight) Like a movie scene In the sweetest dreams I've pictured us together Now to feel your lips On my fingertips I have to say is even better Then I ever thought it could possibly be It's perfect, it's passion, it's setting me free From all of my sadness The tears that I've cried I have spent all of my life Waiting for tonight, oh When you would be here in my arms Waiting for tonight, oh I've dreamed of this love for so long Waiting for tonight, oh When you would be here in my arms Waiting for tonight, oh I've dreamed of this love for so long Waiting for tonight (tonight, tonight) --- Song Type: Licensed Cover First Appearance: Karaoke Revolution Artist Notes: The name's probably a Konami-made placeholder name. Anyone with more insight is free to give it. Misc. Notes: This is a cover of the popular song by Jennifer Lopez, released in 1999. =========================== 4EE. WONDERLAND (UKS Mix) = =========================== Artist: X-TREME Genre: Hip Hop BPM: 128 Difficulty: Sgl Dbl BEG: 1 LGT: 5 5 STD: 5 6 HVY: 7 7 Heavy Notes: There are two rather large streams at the beginning and end of the tune, and both involve crossovers. The middle is mostly unsurprising. --- Lyrics: All my brothers and sisters All in all over ten billion listeners Lend me your ear when you want to hear The hypest and ripest sound of the year Up and kiss the body boy then pucker Up and kiss the body boy then pucker Up and kiss the body boy then pucker Up and kiss the body boy then boy then Up and kiss body body boy then pucker Up and kiss the body boy then pucker Up and kiss the body boy then pucker Up and kiss the body boy then boy then Up and kiss body body Ok, y'all this is it now buff it And the mic will sing soon as I touch it Do this smooth and easy like So we might get high to hear the night. Be nice, relax MCs from the back If you ain't with that I'm a have to attack you with the bad rap That could smack this mouth word face jack So don't start no crap. Give it a little bit of heart and soul, As you do it till it's in your ear hole ha, I ain't goin' on like a sucker And if you think so boy then pucka Up and kiss the body this lyricist Glow on the mic word up this groove is set To sooth move you party people now it's time to. That's Boogie Boogie That's Boogie Wonderland Ha Boogie That's Boogie Boogie That's Boogie Wonderland Ha Boogie That's Boogie Boogie That's Boogie Wonderland Ha Boogie boy then boy then boy then kiss the body boy then boy then boy then kiss the body boy boy boy boy boy boy boy... --- Song Type: License First Appearance: DDR 3rd Mix (Arcade) Artist Notes: X-TREME is a cover artist. They've also done "MY FIRE" which appeared in DDR USA. The original "Boogie Wonderland" is by Earth, Wind & Fire. =============== 4FF. Y.M.C.A. = =============== Artist: VILLAGE PEOPLE Genre: Disco BPM: 130 Difficulty: Sgl Dbl BEG: 1 LGT: 4 2 STD: 6 6 HVY: 7 7 Heavy Notes: You wouldn't think such a popular song would be this difficult. There are lots of double steps in the streams, and the streams will crossover. The most difficult part is the last couple of measures of the verses, which have multiple double steps in the streams. --- Lyrics: Young man, there's no need to feel down I said, young man, pick yourself off the ground I said, young man, 'cause you're in a new town There's no need to be unhappy Young man, there's a place you can go I said, young man, when you're short on your dough You can stay there, and I'm sure you will find Many ways to have a good time It's fun to stay at the Y-M-C-A It's fun to stay at the Y-M-C-A They have everything for you men to enjoy You can hang out with all the boys It's fun to stay at the Y-M-C-A It's fun to stay at the Y-M-C-A You can get yourself cleaned, you can have a good meal You can do whatever you feel Y-M-C-A! Y-M-C-A! Y-M-C-A! --- Song Type: License First Appearance: BRAND NEW Artist Notes: There really is no need for an introduction, but I'll try anyway. Since 1977, this band of costumed men have proven to the world that there will always be a place for disco in the music scene. Although the members have changed, there have always been six: the Native American, the Soldier, the Construction Worker, the Cop, the Cowboy, and the Biker. Original members Felipe Rose (Native American), Alex Briley (Soldier), and David Hodo (Construction Worker) are still in the band today. The song needs even less introduction, first appearing in the 1978 album "Cruisin'". This song, plugging the values of the Young Men's Christian Association, has easily the #1 most recognizable dance moves in the world. =========================== 4GG. Your Rain (RAGE MIX) = =========================== Artist: Akira Yamaoka feat. Mary Elizabeth McGlynn Genre: Electro R&B* BPM: 84 Difficulty: Sgl Dbl BEG: 1 LGT: 3 2 STD: 4 5 HVY: 6 7 Heavy Notes: Pretty simple. While there are several double steps in the streams, and a few crossovers, the slow pace means you can take your time picking them up. --- Lyrics: You touched my body once It burns me still softly Never forgets Never again will be I cry Out of my head and I don't know what I found Over and over, I feel it break me down Waiting for a gentle rain A gentle me A gentle you On the sidewalk Of the city Are my screams just a whisper? Busy people Going nowhere See me soak in the rain No compassion Nothing matters My resistance is waning Like a flower In the basement Waiting for a lonely death --- Song Type: Konami Original First Appearance: BRAND NEW Artist Notes: Akira Yamaoka is best known as the composer for Konami's horror series, Silent Hill. This particular song is a remix of one of the tracks from Silent Hill 4: The Room. Mary McGlynn is not only a singer, but a voice actress as well. Misc. Notes: This song has a music video, which will negate the dancing characters. ****************************************************************************** 5. DEFAULT OLD SONGS ****************************************************************************** These songs are available to you by default, and they have appeared in previous American Playstation mixes (DDR USA, DDR Konamix, DDR Disney Mix, DDRMAX USA, and/or DDRMAX2 USA). ========= 5A. .59 = ========= Artist: dj TAKA Genre: Chill Out* BPM: 135 Difficulty: Sgl Dbl BEG: 1 LGT: 4 4 STD: 6 6 HVY: 7 7 Play Notes: The song carries at a steady pace, until the end, where it slows down ever so slightly. Heavy Notes: Prepare for lengthy streams during the main melody, with a couple of gallops thrown in to match the piano hits. The streams are fairly straightforward, though. Also, during the bridge, you'll find some streams of sixteenths, but they stay on the same two arrows. --- Song Type: Konami Original First Appearance: beatmania IIDX 2nd Style DDR Debut: DDR 4th Mix (Arcade) American Appearances: DDR Ultramix, DDR Konamix Artist Notes: See "Love Love Sugar" for info on dj TAKA. Misc. Notes: So, what's the significance of ".59"? Well, "point five nine" in Japanese is "ten-go-kyu". This is very similar to "tengoku", which is Japanese for "heaven" or "paradise". The "Kyd Konamix Mix" of this tune by Jesper Kyd is in DDR Ultramix 2. ================= 5B. Bad Routine = ================= Artist: D.J. Spugna Genre: Filter House* BPM: 130 Difficulty: Sgl Dbl BEG: 1 LGT: 4 3 STD: 5 6 HVY: 6 7 Play Notes: There are a couple of stops in this song, right before the first run of the chorus and right before the last run of the chorus, and it happens as the drums stop. There aren't any weird steps put there, so even if you don't find the stops as they come, you'd be able to pick it back up. Heavy Notes: Little serious stuff to note here. The "I'm movin', I'm movin'" parts in the first and third time through the chorus are all followed by the steps. Watch for steps coming in on the offbeats, and the same with the freeze arrows. There's a little bit of chaos in the middle as you hit two gallops, but they're easy to see. --- Lyrics: Yeah! I'm movin', I'm movin', I'm movin, aw yeah! Let's all get together! Yeah! Yeah! I'm movin', I'm movin', I'm movin, aw yeah! Yeah! I'm movin', I'm movin', I'm movin, aw yeah! Let's all get together! Yeah! Yeah! I'm movin', I'm movin', I'm movin, aw yeah! Yeah! I'm movin', I'm movin', I'm movin, aw yeah! Let's all get together! Yeah! Yeah! I'm movin', I'm movin', I'm movin, aw yeah! --- Song Type: Konami Original First Appearance: beatmania IIDX 7th Style DDR Debut: DDRMAX2 USA Artist Notes: See "A Stupid Barber" for my small amount of info on Shoichiro Hirata, also known as "Sho-T". ============== 5C. DROP OUT = ============== Artist: NW260 Genre: Hardcore Techno BPM: 260 Difficulty: Sgl Dbl BEG: 3 LGT: 5 5 STD: 7 7 HVY: 9 9 Heavy Notes: This song of high tempo may seem pretty tame from the get-go, but that's before you hit the quarter-note streams of double steps. Those hurt. Once you pass those two sets (on the second set, keep one foot on the down arrow to ease it), it's smooth sailing for most of the song, until you hit the "dropping whistle" sound, where it starts throwing eighths at you, then a sixty-four note long stream of eighths. If you're still alive here, you have one last set of double steps to close out the song with. --- Song Type: Konami Original First Appearance: DDR Solo 2000 (Arcade) American Appearances: DDR Konamix, DDR Ultramix 2 Artist Notes: NW260 is a psuedonym for Naoki. The "260", of course, refers to the BPM. ============= 5D. ECSTASY = ============= Artist: d-complex Genre: Euro Trance* BPM: 145 Difficulty: Sgl Dbl BEG: 1 LGT: 4 4 STD: 6 6 HVY: 7 7 Play Notes: Despite the BPM's insisting, it does change ever so slightly, which is right after the first hold, which lasts about two measures. After that section is a second hold, and this one lasts four measures. Heavy Notes: The hardest part is accommodating the song's stops and slight changes. Take that away and you have a few lengthy streams, several turns, but nothing too hairy, and steps that largely follow the music. --- Song Type: Konami Original First Appearance: DDR 5th Mix American Appearances: DDRMAX USA Artist Notes: d-complex is a psuedonym for Naoki (see the FAQ for info) ============ 5E. HIGHER = ============ Artist: NM feat. SUNNY Genre: Dance Pop* BPM: 132 Difficulty: Sgl Dbl BEG: 1 LGT: 3 3 STD: 5 5 HVY: 6 7 Heavy Notes: Nice and easy for the most part. Small streams, mostly, with only a tiny bit of turning. Watch out for some quick double steps at the end. --- Lyrics: Girl, give it up, go and run away To the arms of a magic day Where you can stay Where you can find yourself Find yourself Lose your fear, 'cause there is no one here Do what you want to do There's nobody stopping you, no Give yourself and let the music take you far Then you will know who you are Baby, getting higher We're getting higher Movin' with the vibe Let the rhythm make you fly You are the one! Baby, isn't this fun Tonight (Won't you show me how?) Whoa-oh oh ohhhh, whoa-oh You and I I know we can move if we try You know this is how it should be Baby, getting higher We're getting higher Open up your eyes Everyday is a surprise You are the one Baby, the only one Tonight We're getting higher We're getting higher Start again from here And a new you will appear You are the one, baby isn't this fun Tonight~! --- Song Type: Konami Original First Appearance: DDR 4th Mix (Arcade) American Appearances: DDR Konamix, DDR Disney Mix Artist Notes: NM is short for Naoki Maeda (information in FAQ). Sunny James is the song's vocalist. =============== 5F. i feel... = =============== Artist: AKIRA YAMAOKA Genre: Trance* BPM: 141 Difficulty: Sgl Dbl BEG: 1 LGT: 3 2 STD: 6 5 HVY: 9 9 Heavy Notes: For a nine-footer, this isn't too bad. Your main problem comes from knowing the steps, which don't always follow the rhythm of the song. In the beginning, it follows the rhythm all right, but about halfway through, you start getting gallops. The steps change so much that trying to go through all of them would make these notes really long. Suffice to say that it'll probably take a few plays through to get sharp enough to pick up when you get eighth notes and when you get sixteenths. There are no turns to deal with, though, and no tiring step runs. --- Lyrics: ("ai fiiri" is kana for "i feel") ai fiiri... ai fiiiiiiiri... ai fiiri... ai fiiiiiiiri... (Japanese lyrics, which, I'm told, are impossible to decipher due to the effects) ai fiiri... ai fiiiiiiiri... ai fiiri... ai fiiiiiiiri... ai fiiri... ai fiiiiiiiri... ai fiiri... ai fiiiiiiiri... --- Song Type: Konami Original First Appearance: beatmania IIDX 7th Style DDR Debut: DDRMAX2: DDR 7th Mix (Arcade) American Appearances: DDRMAX2 USA Artist Notes: See "Your Rain" for more info on Akira Yamaoka. This song doesn't have its roots in Silent Hill, but it is a very haunting trance, and the background video could seem reminiscent of the graininess that is SH. Misc. Notes: Other mixes are the "T.O.Y. Remix" in DDR Ultramix 2, and the "Junk Circuit Mix" in DDR Ultramix 2 (Song Pack 7). ================== 5G. I'M FOR REAL = ================== Artist: SLAKE Genre: Two Step* BPM: 140 Difficulty: Sgl Dbl BEG: 1 LGT: 3 3 STD: 5 4 HVY: 7 6 Heavy Notes: Chaotic steps are the most prominent here, focused around the jazzy off-beat nature of the tune. The streams never get too long, and there's no turning involved. Watch for some gallops and sixteenths that follow the quick lyrics. --- Lyrics: Look... in... To my eyes... Look into my eyes and you will see Look deep into my eyes and you will see the real me Oh, baby reach way down into my soul And you will see real love unfold Oh, baby I'm for real, about the way I feel I don't have no doubts Just wanna shout out loud I'm for real, about the way I feel It's just a matter of time And you will be all mine Na, na na na... Na, na na na... Na, na na na... Na, na na na... Na, na na na... Na, na na na... Na, na na na... Na, na na na... Look deep into my eyes And you will feel the real me Oh, baby search deep into my heart And you see the fire burnin' from the start Oh, baby I'm for real, about the way I feel I don't have no doubts Just wanna shout out loud I'm for real, about the way I feel It's just a matter of time And you will be all mine --- Song Type: Konami Original First Appearance: beatmania IIDX 4th Style DDR Debut: DDRMAX USA Artist Notes: SLAKE is Takehiko Fujii, a Konami Original artist who works mostly in beatmania. JP miles is the vocalist for this tune. =============== 5H. PEACE-OUT = =============== Artist: dj nagureo Genre: Deep House* BPM: 133 Difficulty: Sgl Dbl BEG: 1 LGT: 2 3 STD: 4 5 HVY: 7 7 Heavy Notes: There are some simple turns in this song, and during the part where the percussion kicks out, you'll have to deal with some weird double steps as you connect with the keyboard. --- Lyrics: Peace out... (repeated) Don't leave me baby... (repeated) --- Song Type: Konami Original First Appearance: beatmania 4th Mix DDR Debut: DDRMAX USA Artist Notes: Reo Nagumo is dj nagureo, a popular Beatmania artist who specializes in house and R&B. ================ 5I. SO IN LOVE = ================ Artist: Caramel.S Genre: Dance Pop BPM: 112 Difficulty: Sgl Dbl BEG: 1 LGT: 3 4 STD: 6 6 HVY: 7 7 Heavy Notes: Some turns and streams aren't very long. There are several freeze arrows with eighth note steps sandwiched around them. There are also a few chaotic steps, such as a few gallops sprinkled here and there, as well as an interesting triplet run near the end. --- Lyrics: I wake at night and I start reaching for you Every single time I wish you lived a little closer There's nothing else can make me feel the way you do And phone calls don't provide The warm I need when nights are colder Missing you is more than I can stand I need you here with me, so baby take my hand Let's get close again I'm So In Love You may be far away, but I need you here today now To hold me. Boy, I'll never get enough You're the only one for me. Come on over and you'll see You and Me, we are So In Love --- Song Type: Konami Original First Appearance: DDRMAX: DDR 6th Mix (JP PS2) American Appearances: DDRMAX USA, DDR Ultramix Artist Notes: Atsushi Sato is Caramel.S, yet another Konami Original artist. ============= 5J. TSUGARU = ============= Artist: RevenG vs DE-SIRE Genre: Oedo Techno BPM: 70-165 Difficulty: Sgl Dbl BEG: 1 LGT: 3 4 STD: 6 7 HVY: 9 9 Play Notes: Just before the steps begin is a stop in the music. Once you get to the end, the music will slow down gradually, so be sure to watch for it. Heavy Notes: In the beginning, you'll be stepping the strings, then a long freeze, then a whole bunch of gallops. After the gallops, you'll think you're hitting a gallop, then a double step, but YOU'RE NOT. What looks like a double step is two THIRTY-SECOND notes, matching up to the music, so stay sharp there. In the section with background synthesizers, you'll be facing eighths with double steps in the streams, and one long stream that goes more than four measures, and which will require you to turn several times. After that, more gallops and eighth notes, then, finally, the slowdown, which follows the music exactly. A good easy-to-moderate nine-footer. --- Song Type: Konami Original First Appearance: DDRMAX2: DDR 7th Mix (Arcade) American Appearances: DDRMAX2 USA, DDR Ultramix Artist Notes: It's kinda weird to be "vs" yourself, but both of these artists are Naoki psuedonyms. RevenG (formerly known as RE-VENGE) is the name Naoki uses for his traditional ethnic style music for tunes such as "AFRONOVA", "ORION.78", and "exotic ethnic". DE-SIRE is the name Naoki uses for the "TRIP MACHINE" and "Healing Vision" series. =============== 5K. WILD RUSH = =============== Artist: FACTOR-X Genre: Ambient Breaks* BPM: 80-180 Difficulty: Sgl Dbl BEG: 2 LGT: 4 4 STD: 5 6 HVY: 6 8 Play Notes: This song steadily speeds up throughout. It starts at 80bpm, then keeps increasing by 20 for the duration of the song, until it hits 180. Heavy Notes: The opener has steps on the piano hits, which are sixteenths, and they don't start on the beat. The second section has gallops to match the percussion. After that, it's pretty simple, until the end, where you have some pretty quick streams that go to the end. --- Song Type: Konami Original First Appearance: DDR Solo 2000 (Arcade) American Appearances: DDR Konamix Artist Notes: FACTOR-X is another Naoki psuedonym (see the FAQ for info). ****************************************************************************** 6. STANDARD UNLOCKABLES ****************************************************************************** These songs must be unlocked by playing a certain number of songs. They'll have a big flashy "NEW!" next to them when you first unlock them. ============== 6A. 321STARS = ============== UNLOCK: Play 20 Songs Artist: DJ SIMON Genre: Techno Pop* BPM: 192 Difficulty: Sgl Dbl BEG: 2 LGT: 4 4 STD: 6 7 HVY: 8 8 Play Notes: There is a small pause in this song, just as the lyric "the stars" is heard. Heavy Notes: For the most part, this song follows the music. There are a bunch of streams, but only later in the song do they get difficult. There are also plenty of offbeat sections, and some gallops in the second half. --- Lyrics: 1! 2! 3, 2, 1, *burp!* 1, 2, 1, 2, 1, 2, 1, 2, 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 3, 2, 1, uh! 1! 2! 3, 2, 1, uh! 1, 2, 1, 2, 1, 2, 1, 2, 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 3-2-1, the stars 1, 2, 1, 2, 1, 2, 1, 2, 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 3, 2, 1, Hi!!! --- Song Type: Konami Original First Appearance: beatmania COMPLETE MIX 2 DDR Debut: DDR Extreme (Arcade) American Appearances: DDR Ultramix 2 Artist Notes: DJ SIMON is Kiyotaka Sugimoto, a BEMANI artist with a healthy amount of beatmania and pop'n music tunes. ======= 6B. A = ======= UNLOCK: Play 140 Songs Artist: D.J. Amuro Genre: Renaissance* BPM: 93-191 Difficulty: Sgl Dbl BEG: 2 LGT: 4 4 STD: 6 6 HVY: 8 8 CHA: 9 9 Play Notes: The first half of the song is at the 93 bpm, then there's a stop, and the rest of the song is at 191. Heavy Notes: The opener is pretty simple, only a few sixteenths thrown in to add variety. Once the song really gets underway, expect short streams, leading into longer streams, but nothing too difficult to step. Challenge Notes: Several double steps have been added to the opener. The length of the streams in the second half hasn't changed much, but the streams are far more difficult, requiring a lot of crossovers, and some streams have double steps in them. --- Song Type: Konami Original First Appearance: beatmania IIDX 7th Style DDR Debut: DDR Extreme (Arcade) American Appearances: DDR Ultramix 2 Artist Notes: D.J. Amuro is an alias for the great dj TAKA. More info on him is in LOVE LOVE SUGAR. Misc. Notes: If you're to say this song title out loud, it's "Ace". This makes sense given the card suits and the joker in the background still. ============== 6C. ABSOLUTE = ============== UNLOCK: Play 100 Songs Artist: dj TAKA Genre: Epic Trance* BPM: 60-144 Difficulty: Sgl Dbl BEG: 1 LGT: 3 3 STD: 5 6 HVY: 8 8 Play Notes: At the very end of this song, the song slows down considerably to 60 BPM. Heavy Notes: You'll find yourself matching the main melody step-for-step while it plays. There are also some lengthy streams, including a 48-long stream. Also, be prepared to turn at several points. With some stamina, you'll find this to be a relatively easy eight-footer. --- Song Type: Konami Original First Appearance: beatmania IIDX 4th Style DDR Debut: DDR 5th Mix (Arcade) American Apperances: DDR Konamix Artist Notes: See LOVE LOVE SUGAR for info on dj TAKA. Misc. Notes: There is a "CUFF-N-STUFF IT MIX" of ABSOLUTE on DDR Ultramix. ========= 6D. B4U = ========= UNLOCK: Play 55 Songs Artist: NAOKI Genre: Speed Rave* BPM: 155 Difficulty: Sgl Dbl BEG: 1 LGT: 4 4 STD: 6 6 HVY: 8 7 Heavy Notes: Probably one of the easiest eight-footers in the business. You'll face short to medium-length streams, with no turning. There are a few gallops to match the music at the chorus, and a few sixteenths just before the key change. --- Lyrics: Let's get it on, don't stop us now We come on the scene, we came to get down Check the moves, you know they can't be dissed Ain't too many that can float like this We humbling, comin at ya And the rhythm is gonna getcha Need I, should I not say no more Tell me what's the deal, yo check my flow! Jump, jump, jump, DDR! Yo! Everybody feel the beat with DDR! Jam, jam, jam, DDR! Everybody dance, let's get down! Could it be that you wanna be more like me No shame, I bring pain for the year 2G Now, we are gonna turn this party out Put your hands in the air, move 'em all about Can you feel the beat down in your soul Don't fight the rhythm, just let it go 4, 3, 2, 1, let's count it down Wanna see you move, let me hear that sound! Jump, jump, jump, DDR! Yo! Everybody feel the beat with DDR! Jam, jam, jam, DDR! Everybody dance, let's get down! B, B, B, B4U! Yo! Everybody feel the beat with DDR! Jam, jam, jam, DDR! Everybody dance, let's get down! --- Song Type: Konami Original First Appearance: DDR 4th Mix (Arcade) American Appearances: DDR Disney Mix, DDR Konamix, DDR Ultramix 2 Artist Notes: See FAQ for info on Naoki. Lyrics in this song are by Aaron G. ============================================ 6E. CAN'T STOP FALLIN' IN LOVE (SPEED MIX) = ============================================ UNLOCK: Play 50 Songs Artist: NAOKI Genre: Hi-Speed Euro Beat BPM: 170 Difficulty: Sgl Dbl BEG: 1 LGT: 4 4 STD: 6 6 HVY: 9 9 Heavy Notes: Welcome to Flavor Country, ladies and germs. There are a few gallops to contend with at the main chorus, and at the bridge, but the majority of the entire song is massive waves of streams with crossovers and multiple taps, all coming at a nice crisp 170 BPM. This is a very good song for practicing your stamina and crossovers. --- Lyrics: My life meant nothing to me then a guy like you came along Everything is moving so fast I gotta get my feet on the ground Unhappy days are over 'cause I can always be with you Lying in your arms day by day, makes me feel, oh, so brand new Can't stop fallin' in love Tell me you will be true (forever baby) I just can't stop dreaming of you everyday (every way) Say you love me baby Say you will always be mine You'll never break my heart I just can't stop fallin' in love Baby you became Makin' love with you is all I wanna do (wanna do) Can't stop fallin' in love Give your heart and soul Stay with me this time and we'll make history (you and me) --- Song Type: Konami Original First Appearance: DDR 5th Mix (Arcade) American Appearances: DDR Ultramix Artist Notes: Info on Naoki is in the FAQ. Misc Notes: The original CAN'T STOP FALLIN' IN LOVE is in DDR Konamix and DDRMAX2 USA. =================== 6F. DROP THE BOMB = =================== UNLOCK: Play 85 Songs Artist: Scotty D. Genre: Techno Rave* BPM: 150 Difficulty: Sgl Dbl BEG: 1 LGT: 4 4 STD: 5 5 HVY: 6 6 Heavy Notes: You'll be facing short streams with some Chaos, mostly. Once you reach the bridge of the song, you'll match the percussion with your steps, and then get back into the normal groove for the last chorus, until the end, where you'll have to step in time to the synthesizer. It's a string of quarter-note length triplets, so follow the music with them, and don't go too fast. --- Lyrics: Sorry, but could I have the music louder? Yeah drop the bomb! Just drop the bomb! I'm kinda dizzy, 'cause of my dreams... Getting sick and tired of the fossil-like system Now or never it's the time to resist 'em It's easy to blast them all away Pull a trigger, push a button, say adios to today Don't get me wrong, I'm a pacifist The mind can do more than the fist Explosives are not what it takes (You know, terrorists always make these mistakes) What we gotta do is build momentum If you need the right tools invent 'em Ride the wave of time, come feel the rhythm The march to the future has begun, get with 'em The brain is the generator of almighty power Either do it now or your master plan goes sour Yeah! Are you ready to take that fall? It's up to you to make that call to drop the bomb! Yeah drop the bomb! Just drop the bomb! Let me see that bomb! Just... Learn from the sunken Mu, Atlantis And from the beheaded male-praying mantis We've all gotta make room for whats to come What we gotta do is build momentum If you need the right tools invent 'em Ride the wave of time, come feel the rhythm The march to the future has begun, get with 'em The brain is the generator of almighty power Either do it now or your master plan goes sour Yeah! Are you ready to take that fall? It's up to you to make that call! (And if it don't work then make the real thing, wipe it out) So drop the bomb! Yeah drop the bomb! Just drop the bomb! Let me see that bomb! That bomb! That bomb! That bomb! --- Song Type: Konami Original First Appearance: DDR 3rd Mix (JP PS1) American Appearances: DDR USA, DDR Konamix Artist Notes: Scott Dolph is KCET's guy for public relations with the USA. Turns out he's a pretty good vocalist and rapper, too. The actual song was composed by U1-ASAMI, sound director for most of the DDR home versions. Misc. Notes: The "System SF Mix" of DROP THE BOMB appears on DDRMAX USA and DDR Ultramix. ============================== 6G. Frozen Ray (for EXTREME) = ============================== UNLOCK: Play 155 Songs Artist: dj TAKA Genre: Trance* BPM: 156 Difficulty: Sgl Dbl BEG: 1 LGT: 4 3 STD: 6 6 HVY: 9 8 Heavy Notes: The first section has a bunch of gallops and a few double steps leading into streams. Following that, there's a whole bunch of three-step streams, then a few four-step streams with crossovers, then a rather long stream with lots of crossovers, then some freezes at the end. --- Song Type: Konami Original First Appearance: Keyboardmania 3rd Mix DDR Debut: DDR Extreme (Arcade) Artist Notes: See LOVE LOVE SUGAR. Misc. Notes: This is a shortened version of the original Frozen Ray made for DDR Extreme. ================= 6H. Funk Boogie = ================= UNLOCK: Play 80 Songs Artist: Funk Kid feat. KOOL BOYS. Genre: Funk BPM: 127 Difficulty: Sgl Dbl BEG: 1 LGT: 4 3 STD: 5 5 HVY: 6 6 Heavy Notes: Pretty simple streams, and a few tricks with freezes, but nothing worth starting a volume about. Watch the last step, because it's neither on nor off the beat. --- Lyrics: So dance! While I put you in a trance! Freaky, get us started! Yeah! Sensation! Feel the vibration! Action! C'mon! I said hey, hey, hey! Whatcha got to say? Whatcha got to say? I said 1, 2, 3, 4! Yeah! Get down! --- Song Type: Konami Original First Appearance: BRAND NEW Artist Notes: Funk Kid is Sota Fujimori, artist of such popular tunes as "Look To The Sky", "Kind Lady", and "Do It Right". If my ears serve me correctly, Scott Dolph is one of the "KOOL BOYS". ==================== 6I. KEEP ON MOVIN' = ==================== UNLOCK: Play 25 Songs Artist: N.M.R Genre: Dance Pop* BPM: 132 Difficulty: Sgl Dbl BEG: 1 LGT: 4 4 STD: 5 6 HVY: 6 7 Heavy Notes: This song seems to like streams, and you'll find some of decent size, and some that require you to turn, but there's very little excitement besides that. --- Lyrics: Keep on, keep on, keep on, keep on doin' it All new happy on your own (keep on, keep on, keep on, oh) Keep on, keep on, keep on, keep on doin' it (What about my love) Hope you feel good, hope you feel better, ooh! Oh yeah, that's right, you'll be alone Why don't you get out, won't you feel the need You got so much of what you like You better look at life, cause I've got this for you Yeah, we want you to savor day, for you to get away Now if you don't care about what I say, then you gotta think about the time Because it's on your mind, it got your body goin' In the motion, as I'm going through this flowing groove, it's funky Keep on, keep on, keep on, keep on doin' it All new happy on your own (keep on, keep on, keep on, oh) Keep on, keep on, keep on, keep on doin' it (What about my love) Hope you feel good, hope you feel better, ooh! Keep on, keep on, keep on, keep on doin' it (Doin' it, doin' it, doin' it) --- Song Type: Konami Original First Appearance: DDR 2nd Mix (Arcade) American Apperances: DDR USA Artist Notes: N.M.R is a Naoki psuedonym. Misc. Notes: There's a "DMX Mix" on DDR Ultramix for the X-BOX. ================= 6J. La Senorita = ================= UNLOCK: Play 115 Songs Artist: CAPTAIN.T Genre: Latin Pop BPM: 182 Difficulty: Sgl Dbl BEG: 2 LGT: 4 4 STD: 6 6 HVY: 7 9 Heavy Notes: The main thing you'll notice about this song is that it follows the music (on Heavy) pretty well. It's basically short streams that aren't always on the beat. Probably the toughest portion of this song is right before the second verse, where you'll have to go from a stream into a double step. --- Lyrics: Sitting in the corner with a coffee cup Reading the newspaper, not looking up She smiles as she finds something funny there, The sunlight shining in her hair When she leaves you want to follow her anywhere Her dress is too tight but you can't let her see you stare And she's a hot one, a jalepena Ooh la Senorita You'll never get close enough To la Senorita Hora, sa fuega You know she has a mind, she has an attitude And she likes her space and her solitude She'll tease you or please you, if she's feeling good Or burn you like you knew she would When she smiles It's like the sun shining on your face Pulling and stretching her leather and lace And she's a hot one, a jalepena Ooh la Senorita In Baja, California Ooh la Senorita Ooh la Senorita Ole! --- Song Type: Konami Original First Appearance: DDR 3rd Mix (Arcade) American Appearances: DDR USA, DDR Ultramix 2 (Song Pack 7) Artist Notes: CAPTAIN.T is Thomas Howard Lichtenstein, more popular for the Silent Hill songs and his work on Guitar Freaks. Misc. Notes: A remix of this, called "La Senorita Virtual", is in DDR Konamix and DDR Ultramix. ==================== 6K. MAKE IT BETTER = ==================== UNLOCK: Play 40 Songs Artist: mitsu-O! Genre: Reggae BPM: 119 Difficulty: Sgl Dbl BEG: 1 LGT: 4 5 STD: 5 7 HVY: 7 7 Heavy Notes: Because this song's so slow, they'll try to trip you up by overloading steps. In addition to plenty of streams, you'll get doubles thrown in, and it gets really evil at the end, where they'll stream up doubles together to trip you up. --- Lyrics: Got no money Talk to my dream Time after time I've tried to walk away Uh, uh, uh, and you don't break my heart Time after time I've tried to walk away Uh, uh, uh Time after time I've tried to walk away Uh, uh, uh, and you don't break my heart Time after time I've tried to walk away Uh, uh, uh Yeah, yeah, yeah Yeah, yeah, yeah Time after time I've tried to walk away Uh, uh, uh, and you don't break my heart Time after time I've tried to walk away Uh, uh, uh Yeah, yeah, yeah Yeah, yeah, yeah --- Song Type: Konami Original First Appearance: DDR 1st Mix (Arcade) American Appearances: DDR USA Artist Notes: mitsu-O! is a Naoki psuedonym. Misc. Notes: The SO-REAL mix of this song is in DDR Konamix. ================= 6L. ON THE JAZZ = ================= UNLOCK: Play 70 Songs Artist: Jonny Dynamite! Genre: Jazz Funk BPM: 130 Difficulty: Sgl Dbl BEG: 1 LGT: 2 3 STD: 4 5 HVY: 7 7 Heavy Notes: For half of the song, you'll deal with the organ hits, in a psuedo-triplet style. For the other half, you'll have lengthy streams with a little turning, and in between, you'll have a little bit of chaos as you match Jonny's lyrics. --- Lyrics: Jazz Jazz Jazz When I step onto the dance floor I gotta pause and thank the Lord Thank him for the gifts he gave me In addition to the rhythm and jammin' beat Anytime that I hear the jazz play I gotta tell them half-steppers "Get out my way" Trix are for kids and I'm playin' for keeps I can buy you and sell you, you can keep the receipt 'Cause can't nobody move the crowd the way I do I feel for any fool that might try to Heard the boom boom baby girl never you fear I'm Jonny Dynamite let 'em know I'm up in here The jazz is on the one, and the music's bumpin' DJ's got the whole crowd jumpin' Door to door we go for yours All we want is more, more jazz (Can y'all handle more jazz? Yeah all we want is more jazz Feel me Break it down for me now, yo) Aight now, swing it Like they used to do Put the house beat to it and before I'm through You might learn a thing or two you can show your peeps And you can catch me on Soul Train late next week Don't you know I'm all that and a bucket of wings? I'm on the jazz, when I feel the need to shake my groove thing When you see me comin' sit back, relax Tell your boys, look out step back And feel that jazz (hot, sexual) (here I come again, here I come again Yet again... Dynamite's blowin' up the show Save my soul) --- Song Type: Konami Original First Appearance: DDR 5th Mix (JP PS1) American Appearances: DDR Konamix, DDR Ultramix Artist Notes: Jonny Dynamite! is most probably the vocalist. This song was put together by U1-ASAMI. ============================== 6M. PARANOiA MAX (DIRTY MIX) = ============================== UNLOCK: Play 130 Songs Artist: 190 Genre: Jungle* BPM: 190 Difficulty: Sgl Dbl BEG: 2 LGT: 6 7 STD: 8 8 HVY: 8 9 Heavy Notes: At first, this seems much like the original, only a bit faster, having slightly longer streams, and more double steps. This all holds until you get to the end, where you have a sixty-one note long stream, before going for the last stretch to the end. --- Lyrics: Fee-fee-fee-feels so good... Feels good! --- Song Type: Konami Original First Appearance: DDR 2nd Mix (Arcade) American Appearances: DDR USA Artist Notes: 190 is another Naoki psuedonym, denoting the BPM. Misc. Notes: See PARANOiA ETERNAL ==================== 6N. Scorching Moon = ==================== UNLOCK: Play 5 Songs Artist: Shawn the Horny Master Genre: House* BPM: 125 Difficulty: Sgl Dbl BEG: 1 LGT: 4 4 STD: 6 6 HVY: 7 8 Heavy Notes: A simpler seven-footer than some. There's quite a bit of chaos in here, but it's pretty obvious when it follows the music, particularly that driving percussion. There are a few doubles-in-streams, but the streams are all pretty short. The middle may have the most foot-tangling parts, with some odd freeze arrow twists. --- Lyrics: I... I need it! (repeated) Mmm... Good! Makes we wanna sweat! (repeated) --- Song Type: Konami Original First Appearance: DDR Extreme (JP PS2) Artist Notes: Shawn the Horny Master is Sho-T (see "A Stupid Barber"). ================== 6O. TRIP MACHINE = ================== UNLOCK: Play 10 Songs Artist: DE-SIRE Genre: Drum'N'Bass BPM: 160 Difficulty: Sgl Dbl BEG: 1 LGT: 6 7 STD: 7 8 HVY: 8 8 Heavy Notes: One thing that seems to be common with the TRIP MACHINES is that they follow the rhythm of the song pretty well. Of course, the song has some pretty weird rhythms. Still, expect nothing more complicated than short to medium length streams that require you to turn, and a few double steps put in the streams. --- Lyrics: Brothers... 5, 4, 3, 2, 1... Let's start! Come on! Yeah, baby! Y-Y-Y-You got it! Come on! Come on! Do it now! Do you love me? Do you? Come on! Do it now! Do you love me? Do you? Ohhhhh yeah! Start the show Start the show Start the show DDR! DDR! D-D-D-D-R! DDR! Brothers... DDR! D-D-D-D-D-R! --- Song Type: Konami Original First Appearance: DDR 1st Mix (Arcade) American Appearances: DDR USA Artist Notes: DE-SIRE is the name Naoki uses for the TRIP MACHINE series. Misc. Notes: Other featured TRIP MACHINES include SP-TRIP MACHINE (JUNGLE MIX) from DDR USA and DDRMAX2 USA, the -luv mix- from DDR Konamix and DDR Ultramix and TRIP MACHINE CLIMAX from DDRMAX USA. ===================== 6P. V (for EXTREME) = ===================== UNLOCK: Play 170 Songs Artist: TAKA Genre: Progressive* BPM: 150 Difficulty: Sgl Dbl BEG: 1 LGT: 4 3 STD: 6 5 HVY: 8 8 CHA: 9 9 Heavy Notes: There are a lot of steps in this song. There are a few gallops, but they pale once the song gets underway. You have sixteenths in the main string sections, and a rather long crossover stream in the piano section. Challenge Notes: There are a lot of similarities between this and the Heavy steps, but the main thing added to these steps is far more sixteenths, particularly in the string sections. They also cut out freezes to put more streams and gallops in. There are also plenty of sixteenths at the end. --- Song Type: Konami Original First Appearance: beatmania IIDX 5th Style DDR Debut: DDR Extreme (Arcade) American Appearances: DDR Ultramix 2 Artist Notes: See LOVE LOVE SUGAR for my info on dj TAKA. Misc. Notes: The "for EXTREME" tag means that this is a shortened version of the original IIDX song designed for DDR Extreme. V is short for Vivaldi, as in, the famous baroque composer Antonio Vivaldi. The original piece this work is based on is from The Four Seasons, Concerto No.4 in F Minor, revision 297, "Winter". ===================== 6Q. You're Not Here = ===================== UNLOCK: Play 35 Songs Artist: Heather Genre: Rock/Alternative BPM: 70-138 Difficulty: Sgl Dbl BEG: 1 LGT: 4 4 STD: 6 6 HVY: 8 8 Play Notes: This song slows down to the 70 bpm right near the end. Heavy Notes: In the beginning, one foot will be stuck on the up arrow hitting quarter notes while the other manages the other three arrows with freezes and some eighths. After that, some simple streams and freezes, that gradually get more difficult, involving crossovers, double steps in the streams, and gallops. It gets more intense, leading to a long stream near the end, that goes into the slowdown. --- Lyrics: Blue sky to forever Green grass blows in the wind, dancing It would be a much better sight With you, with me If you hadn't met me I'd be fine on my own, baby Never felt so lonely then you came along So, now what can I do? I'm strung out, addicted to you My body aches, now that you're gone My supply fell through You gladly gave me everything you had and more You craved my happiness When you made me feel joy, it made you smile, but now I feel your stress Love was never meant to be such a crazy affair, no And who has time for tears? I never thought I'd sit around and cry for your love 'Til now. --- Song Type: Konami Original First Appearance: BRAND NEW Artist Notes: Heather is actually the main character for Silent Hill 3, the actual artist is Akira Yamaoka, and the vocals are again by Mary Elizabeth McGlynn. Misc. Notes: This is yet another Silent Hill tune, this one from Silent Hill 3. This song has a music video, which will negate the dancing characters. ****************************************************************************** 7. CHALLENGE REMIXES ****************************************************************************** These songs are remixes of popular Konami Originals. They only have one difficulty: Challenge. They have to be unlocked just like any other song. ========================== 7A. B4U (B4 ZA BEAT MIX) = ========================== UNLOCK: Play 65 Songs Artist: NAOKI Genre: Speed Rave BPM: 170 Difficulty: Sgl Dbl CHA: 7 7 Challenge Notes: Although faster, it's simpler than the original B4U Heavy. There are some mid-length streams that are pretty easy. The only real hard part is just before the "B-B-B-B4U", where you have four sixteenths in a crossover. --- Lyrics: Jam, jam, jam, DDR-R-R-R! Let's get it on, don't stop us now We come on the scene, we came to get down Check the moves, you know they can't be dissed Ain't too many that can float like this We humbling, comin at ya And the rhythm is gonna getcha Need I, should I not say no more Tell me what's the deal, yo check my flow! Jump, jump, jump, DDR! Yo! Everybody feel the beat with DDR! Jam, jam, jam, DDR! Everybody dance, let's get down! B, B, B, B4U! Yo! Everybody feel the beat with DDR! Jam, jam, jam, DDR! Everybody dance, let's get down! --- Song Type: License First Appearance: Dancing Stage EuroMIX 2 (Arcade) Artist Notes: See the FAQ for info on Naoki. B4 ZA BEAT is Shusaku Ichikawa and Munehiro Ohtomo. Misc. Notes: Believe it or not, this is actually a Dancemania license, a remix of B4U owned by Toshiba-EMI. In its original appearance, this song had the three normal difficulties (Light, Standard, and Heavy), but then it was brought to DDRMAX2 (Arcade) for Oni Mode, where only the Heavy steps were kept and made Challenge steps. ===================================== 7B. DROP OUT (FROM NONSTOP MEGAMIX) = ===================================== UNLOCK: Play 175 Songs Artist: NW260 Genre: Techno BPM: 130 Difficulty: Sgl Dbl CHA: 9 9 Challenge Notes: This remix may seem like a total cakewalk until you get to the end. There, you'll find a giant stream of sixteenth notes, similar to how the original DROP OUT did it. --- Song Type: Konami Original First Appearance: DDRMAX2: DDR 7th Mix (Arcade) Misc. Notes: This piece was originally in DDRMAX2 as a secret song only playable through an Oni Course. It was first selectable as a song in DDR Extreme for the arcade. So, what's a "Nonstop Megamix"? Well, the deal is that Konami and Toshiba-EMI release soundtracks for the DDR games in Japan. These soundtracks consist of two discs. One has all the new songs to that mix, and the other disc has them all in a giant continuous track called a "Nonstop Megamix", which basically connects them all through intros and outros and throws DDR sound effects and voice in. Sometimes (like in the case with DROP OUT), the music is changed a bit to fit the NSMM better, or how the composers are feeling that day. ================================= 7C. ECSTASY (midnight blue mix) = ================================= UNLOCK: Play 160 Songs Artist: d-complex Genre: Euro Trance BPM: 145-150 Difficulty: Sgl Dbl CHA: 8 8 Play Notes: The tempo change isn't very noticable at all, so don't worry about it. Challenge Notes: Most of the interesting parts of this song boil down to a gallop leading to an eighth, following the music. Expect to follow the music through much of this song, and there's a spot near the middle that has a bit of an odd freeze arrow shuffle. --- Song Type: Konami Original First Appearance: DDRMAX2: DDR 7th Mix (Arcade) Misc. Notes: This piece was originally in DDRMAX2 as a secret song only playable through an Oni Course. It was first selectable as a song in DDR Extreme for the arcade. =============================== 7D. HIGHER (next morning MIX) = =============================== UNLOCK: Play 105 Songs Artist: NM feat. SUNNY Genre: Dance Pop BPM: 132 Difficulty: Sgl Dbl CHA: 7 7 Challenge Notes: Most of the time, this remix will follow the lyrics with chaos. There are also some points where you'll get long streams. --- Lyrics: Higher! You are the one! Oooh hooo! Girl, give it up, go and run away To the arms of a magic day Where you can stay Where you can find yourself Find yourself Lose your fear, 'cause there is no one here Do what you want to do There's nobody stopping you, no Give yourself and let the music take you far Then you will know who you are Higher We're getting higher (Won't you show me how?) You and I I know we can move if we try You know this is how it should be Baby, getting higher We're getting higher Open up your eyes Everyday is a surprise You are the one Baby, the only one Tonight We're getting higher We're getting higher Start again from here And a new you will appear You are the one, baby isn't this fun Tonight~! --- Song Type: Konami Original First Appearance: DDRMAX2: DDR 7th Mix (Arcade) Misc. Notes: This piece was originally in DDRMAX2 as a secret song only playable through an Oni Course. It was first selectable as a song in DDR Extreme for the arcade. ========================= 7E. TSUGARU (APPLE MIX) = ========================= UNLOCK: Play 125 Songs Artist: RevenG vs DE-SIRE Genre: Oedo Techno BPM: 70-165 Difficulty: Sgl Dbl CHA: 9 8 Play Notes: Just like the original, the end slows down to a crawl, but there's no stop after the first few measures. Challenge Notes: Similar to the original, only it has more gallops, no thirty-second note gallops, and fewer normal streams. It's actually a bit easier than TSUGARU Heavy. --- Song Type: Konami Original First Appearance: DDRMAX2: DDR 7th Mix (Arcade) Misc. Notes: This piece was originally in DDRMAX2 as a secret song only playable through an Oni Course. It was first selectable as a song in DDR Extreme for the arcade. ====================================== 7F. WILD RUSH (FROM NONSTOP MEGAMIX) = ====================================== UNLOCK: Play 145 Songs Artist: FACTOR-X Genre: Ambient Breaks BPM: 125 Difficulty: Sgl Dbl CHA: 7 8 Challenge Notes: Actually pretty simple. There are no tempo changes and only a few gallops to spice up the steps. --- Song Type: Konami Original First Appearance: DDRMAX2: DDR 7th Mix (Arcade) Misc. Notes: This piece was originally in DDRMAX2 as a secret song only playable through an Oni Course. It was first selectable as a song in DDR Extreme for the arcade. See the DROP OUT remix for info on Nonstop Megamixes. ****************************************************************************** 8. RED SONGS ****************************************************************************** These are the songs specialized for major pain, or the Extra Stages. They're red on the song list. =============== 8A. MAXIMIZER = =============== UNLOCK: Play 185 Songs Artist: CLI-MAX S. Genre: Happy Hardcore BPM: 190 Difficulty: Sgl Dbl BEG: 2 LGT: 6 5 STD: 7 7 HVY: 8 8 Play Notes: There are three stops in this song. One right at the beginning, one about a third of the way through, and another about halfway through. Heavy Notes: There actually isn't too much to talk about concerning this song. There are plenty of streams, but only the last one is of any serious length. There are several points at which the whole thing goes off-beat, and early on, there are a couple of sixteenth note runs. Watch for some doubles in some short streams, and be careful of the three stops. Especially on Heavy, though, it's pretty obvious where they show up. --- Song Type: Konami Original First Appearance: BRAND NEW Artist Notes: CLI-MAX S. is Sota Fujimori. See Funk Boogie for more info. ======================= 8B. The legend of MAX = ======================= UNLOCK: Play 190 Songs OR access and pass the Extra Stage after you unlock TRIP MACHINE Survivor. Artist: ZZ Genre: Hardcore Techno BPM: 83-333 Difficulty: Sgl Dbl BEG: 3 LGT: 6 6 STD: 9 9 HVY:10 10 Play Notes: The song tears at a pleasant 333 bpm for some time until about halfway, where you hit a freeze. At that point, it actually speeds up to 666 bpm, but since you're not doing anything, it's pointless to note. After the slow to a stop, you'll spend about a measure at 83 bpm (quarter speed) before it takes off at the usual 333 bpm for the remainder of the song. Standard Notes: Honestly, I feel this is easier than MAX 300 Standard. It's mostly quarter notes, some off-beat hits, and more double steps than MAX 300 Standard, but far fewer eighth notes. Heavy Notes: This is considered about the third most difficult ten-footer in DDR history. Most of the difficulty in the beginning consists of small streams bunched together with double steps. In the second half, you'll have several medium-length streams, and one long stream at the end. May not seem too complicated, but may I remind you of the blazing speed. --- Lyrics: Can you see? THE FLY! Do you see your goal? Energy! Reality! Reality! FEAR... Revolt... Do the right thing Trust yourself, and you'll know the way Listen to yourself You can do this, you can! --- Song Type: Konami Original First Appearance: DDR Extreme (Arcade) Artist Notes: ZZ is an alias for Naoki (information in FAQ) Misc. Notes: Other MAX songs in