DDRMAX Dance Dance Revolution is the fourth home version of Dance Dance Revolution to be released in the United States, the first of which to be released on the Sony PlayStation 2 console. It was released by Konami on October 29, 2002. DDRMAX contains a total of 71 songs, 33 of which are hidden and unlockable. DDRMAX introduced core changes to the DDR games to the American audience, such as the redesigned Song Wheel interface, and Freeze Arrows.
Oni Mode, also known as Nonstop Challenge, is a game mode which debuted on the Japanese version of DDRMAX2. The mode involves playing through 5-21 different usually themed songs with limited gaps between them just like in Nonstop Mode, but the traditional Dance Gauge is replaced by a battery bar with 3 lives. A life is lost if a combo is broken (which is done by getting a step judged as a Good or less, or by breaking a Freeze). Lives are regained before every song, some songs give more than one life, and some courses force different modifiers. If all lives are lost, the game ends. There are 3 basic themes, Lesson Oni, Club Trax, and Variety. Others can be unlocked.
Save that seventy-five cents and your pride by playing DDRMAX2: Dance Dance Revolution at home. This is the DDR you've been waiting for. DDRMAX2 features 65 songs by artists like Kylie Minogue, The Crystal Method, and Dirty Vegas. The Dancers are back - and this time they're cell shaded. It simply doesn't get better than this!
OK, now that we are all up to speed let's talk about Konami's latest and greatest, DDRMAX2. Oh, I know you are pumped that the dancers that were taken away in DDRMAX 1 are back, but before you get too excited you should know that you have to unlock them. Just like it's predecessor DDRMAX2 features oodles of unlockable goodness. The tummy trimming workout mode is back (I can't wait for them to team up with Gold's Gym and offer a 'pro' version - I want royalties if this happens!). New modes include a beginner's mode (eases you into the addictive world of digital dancing), a nonstop mode (themed courses without breaks in songs), and an endless mode (dance to all the songs in one continuous mix - good luck!). The other new twist is that some of the songs, such as Love at First Sight - by Kylie Minogue, feature actual music videos to dance to.
