Lost In Translation/Dancing Stage

About The Game
Dancing Stage, more commonly known as Dance Dance Revolution (DDR), is an arcade video game where the player must move their feet to a set pattern, stepping in time to the general rhythm or beat of a song. During normal gameplay, arrows scroll upwards from the bottom of the screen and pass over stationary, transparent arrows near the top (referred to as the 'guide arrows' or 'arrow casting'). When the scrolling arrows overlap the stationary ones, the player must step on the corresponding arrows on the dance platform. Successfully hitting the arrows in time with the music fills the 'Dance Gauge', or life bar, while failure to do so drains it. If the Dance Gauge is fully depleted during gameplay, the player fails the song, usually resulting in a game over. Otherwise, the player is taken to the Results Screen, which rates the player's performance with a letter grade and a numerical score, among other statistics. The player may then be given a chance to play again, depending on the settings of the particular machine (the limit is usually 3-5 songs per game).

DDR is often criticized as being rigid and bearing little resemblance to actual dancing. Many players, in order to better focus on timing and pattern reading, will minimize any extraneous body movement during gameplay. These players are commonly referred to as 'technical', 'tech' or 'perfect attack' (PA) players. However, there are those who prefer style over accuracy, and may incorporate complex or flashy techniques into their play movements. Some dedicated 'freestyle' players will even develop intricate dance routines to perform during a song. Technical players will often practice the most difficult songs for extended periods of time, while freestyle players will choose songs on lower difficulty levels, as to accommodate their desires for easier movement.

Trivia
Many players would tell you that playing at home is an excellent way to practice, and it saves money in the long run compared to playing in the arcade. However, many would also say that a large part of DDR is the experience of dancing in public, and becoming part of a local community. Two players can dance together side-by-side in friendship, the better player offering encouragement to the lesser, or in competition. Crowds may gather while the dance is in progress and become involved. Some players enjoy showing off by looking away from the screen, and dropping to the floor to press arrows with their hands, among other performance techniques.

DDR is a phenomenon around which subcultures of fans and enthusiasts have gathered. Tournaments are held worldwide, with participants usually competing for higher scores or number of Perfects (referred to as 'Perfect Attack' tournaments). Less common are 'freestyle' tournaments, where players develop actual dance routines to perform while following the steps in the game.

Many news outlets are beginning to report how playing DDR can be good aerobic exercise; some regular players have reported weight loss of 10-50 pounds (5-20 kg). One player reports that including DDR in her day-to-day life resulted in a loss of 95 pounds. It is argued however that the cases of significant weight loss have all been stories where a significantly overweight player loses a few pounds, and then becomes motivated to take action to lose weight, including dieting, and regular gym attendance. Although reports of weight loss have not been scientifically measured, a handful of schools use DDR as a physical education activity, and in Norway, DDR has even been registered as an official sport.

Updates
The USA version of DDR (released in 1999), had some "Dance Dance Revolution 2nd Mix" tracks.

Series

 * 1) Dance Dance Revolution (1998)
 * 2) Dance Dance Revolution 2nd Mix (1999)
 * 3) Dance Dance Revolution 2nd Mix with beatmaniaIIDX CLUB VERSiON (1999)
 * 4) Dance Dance Revolution 2nd Mix with beatmaniaIIDX substream CLUB VERSiON 2 (1999)
 * 5) Dance Dance Revolution 3rd Mix (2000)
 * 6) Dance Dance Revolution 3rd Mix Plus (2000)
 * 7) Dance Dance Revolution 4th Mix (2000)
 * 8) Dance Dance Revolution 4th Mix Plus (2000)
 * 9) Dance Dance Revolution 5th Mix (2001)
 * 10) DDR MAX - Dance Dance Revolution 6th Mix (2001)
 * 11) DDR MAX 2 - Dance Dance Revolution 7th Mix (2002)
 * 12) Dance Dance Revolution Extreme (2002)
 * 13) Dance Dance Revolution Extreme 2 (2005, Sony PlayStation 2)
 * 14) Dance Dance Revolution with Mario (2005, Nintendo GameCube)
 * 15) Dance Dance Revolution SuperNova (2006)

Ports

 * Consoles :
 * Sony PlayStation (2001)