Why do you play DDR?  Is it about the challenge?  The music?  The health benefits?  Let us know!

The music! :)

I play it for a lot of reasons:

First off, I like the gameplay. DDR is more engaging than most other video games. Rather than just sitting on the floor tapping buttons, you're actually moving around and stuff. The health benefits are an added bonus.

I really like the music too. The Konami Originals can be really great, and there's usually a good selection of licensed music. 

Although I love the health benefits, I suppose I keep coming back for the music. New music is new life for me, and I am always looking forward to new songs. DDR has introduced me to some amazing artists, and some of the KONAMI Original songs have become long-time favourites of mine. =P

As for challenge, I enjoy a challenge, but I'm not actively pursuing any. I'll rise to the challenge of any song  I can't beat, but I'm not going to be kicking and screaming if I can AA everything in the game. 

It's fun, challenging, and has great music at the same time! ^_^

To get AAAs (real AAAs not SN2 AAAs) but i can have fun still if i don't get a AAA

I'd say all of the above.  I first started as a way of getting exercise, but the reason I have kept with it is  because It is such a FUN activity.  I can play DDR for what feels like an hour and suddenly I realize I've been playing for 2 and a half.  In the meantime, I've burnt over a thousand calories, so I don't look back and feel like I've wasted that time.  The challenge aspect certainly does add to the fun and longevity of the game, but it is possible to 'graduate' from DDR and move on to other dancing games to keep a good dose of challenging charts (but that's another thread).  As for the music,I love a lot of DDR music, but percentagewise, there are a lot more songs in DDR that don't seem to fit in a rhythm game than there are in other dancing games (again, I'd love to go into more detail, but that's another thread).  The ones that are good, however , are really good, and good enough to keep me coming back to DDR release after release.

Play DanceDanceRevolution is so fun for me.

Is it about the challenge?  The music?  The health benefits?

It's for that 3 reasons ^^

<u>Music </u>

I like the music from DDR (licenses and Konami originals). I knew other BEMANI games because of DDR (beatmaniaIIDX, pop'n music, GF&DM, etc) and it introduced me to great artists (djTAKA, NAOKI, Sota Fujimori, Sanae Shintani, BeForU, jun, etc... I'll never forget that I became a BeForU big fan since I listenned to "DIVE" in DDR).

I like the licenses, specially the songs from Dancemania, and a 60% of all the CS licenses for US and Europe.

<u>Health benefits</u>

Playing DDR is a funny way to burn calories, don't you think that?

<u>Challenge</u>

It's still important for me. I still practice to clear all the AC lvl 10 songs (because I still can't do that).

Goodbye (^^)v 

One main reason... DDR is fun both visually [I love the characters and dancing stages a lot] and Musically [I miss Dancemania songs in DDR though but the Pop'n Music Crossovers and IIDX songs make up for it]

That and the Music in DDR is not all generic like In The Groove... I am sorry but while I love ITG2 most of the songs on there are so generic, the theme is nothing more than a bland Stepmania theme and not as much visually going on in the background. That and the stepcharts in ITG are retarded beyond comparison... stepcharts are supposed to do something... Be fun to play... not a challenge of how many arrows you can fit into a song on an endless retarded 16th stream... where the dancing fun in that?

DDR does everything so much better and thats why I still play... the 7,8, and 9 foot charts are amazing [though stuff like Arrabiata, Unreal, and Paranoia Hades might be a little too challenging for a 9 but the idea behind it was fun in the the thought put into those charts since they are passable and go with the music well... just immensely challenging for the 9 gap though]

DDR does the characters better since theres so many background dancers to choose from now... Each character gives DDR the personality that this "dance game" is visually appealing and also has a personality and isnt just fast nonsensical stepping on a metal pad... DDR also does music better since there is usually a variety in every mix [though with the US mixes some of the liscenses could get a little better IMO... More Epic Trance like Armin Van Buuren, Tiesto, Moby, Paul Van Dyk, and less Britney Spears, Justin Timberlake, and other overly mainstreamed artists] But in the music section DDR does it always a lot better since theres so much difference in the music which is a good thing... its like the main difference between IIDX and Pop'n Music in the sense that music variety in IIDX is a little more stirctly to EDM type of songs mostly whereas Pop'n Music has a vast assortment of songs from all Bemani Games, all types of World Music, Liscenses from different series and animes, and a whole vast assortment of everything... Pop'n Music IMO is just like DDR in the sense that both games have a vast assortment of music and styles to choose from. Mostly its the music that keeps me playing DDR... and obviously listening to the OST's I imported years ago for DDR 2nd mix all the way to DDR Extreme on my Ipod everyday.... Classic DDR though is where it's really at... Dancemania Speed had some of the best songs on it... most of which made it into DDR with some amazing stepcharts.

I also still play DDR for the fun in the stepcharts... Somehow the stepchart makers can make some awesome and fun stepcharts for difficulties like 7 or 8.... it also seems that some thought goes into the steps [though a few charts are the exception] 

But I would love to see Naoki as a character brought back again... Please Konami... Bring Naoki back... Imagine how him, NMR, and 2mb would look in the updated graphics... OMG! The thought of it is OMG! But if any new characters are to be added from past mixes... I seriously want to see Naoki, Devil Zukin, NMR, 2mb, Princess Zukin, Maho, and Johnny.

1)Exercise: I'm sure that if I never played DDR I would be much fatter.  DDR is fun exercise (you don't see those two words together every day)

2)Music: I was never a music listener, so DDR music, specifically Konami originals, became the type of music I liked.  My PSP has just DM Ashura and DDR songs on it.

3)Fun: It's just FUN.  I don't know what about stepping on arrows to music is fun but it just is!!!

4)Challenge: I like to know that I can get better, and that I've gotten better.  A couple years ago I probably couldn't pass Max 300, now I can A FELM Oni.

I play ITG also, but I prefer DDR over ITG.  First because of DDR music.  ITG is more Americanized.  Second, I know I won't pass any ITG 12s or 13s anytime soon, so I feel like I'm good yet I suck...   Third, DDR is more lively with the announcers.  ITG is great, but DDR is awesome.  Heck if it wasn't for SM, there wouldn't be ITG, and if there was no DDR, there'd be no SM.

I play to impress the ladies.

For fun mostly.  These days though, I've been playing for a bit of exercise since doubles is harder than singles :P  I also like a lot of the music in DDR; it's one of the main reasons why I'm into J-pop now -_-

For Fun and Music for DDR mainly. I enjoy doing the courses and some of the songs.

For challenges however, I'm leading towards ITG for that one but that is because ITG is the main tournament game in our local community atm, however this can change depending on future DDR ACs.

As I said in the thread about difficulty, I play dancing games for the exercise benefits and the physical challenge.  That alone is more than enough reason to make it both worthwhile and fun for me.  Granted, I have a few other motivations as well (such as the competitive and social aspects), but I think that if I could not meet the first two requirements, I would not play very much, if at all.

This is why I'm crossing my fingers for the next release of DDR.

On a side-note, since everybody else is talking about music, I enjoyed much of the "older" DDR music.  Some of it was incredibly catchy.  I still listen to it actually.  I don't have any problem with the music from more recent mixes, but it doesn't quite strike me in the same way.  I don't think that's a real problem though, because in my opinion, the gameplay is far more important than the music selection.

I think probably the music holds the most value for me.  About 15 years ago, I got into dance and techno music, but it wasn't until about 2001 that I completely gave up on radio/MTV in lieu of the techno music that never played anywhere in my area.  Shortly afterwards, I stumbled onto a DDR 3rd Mix and fell in love with the music instantly.  Since then, it's been the music that's kept me attracted to DDR. 

The gameplay and the urge to get better has been a fairly close second, at least, up until the SuperNOVA series when boss songs became all about stupid gimmicks rather than genuinely challenging stepcharts.

I don't really pay attention to that health stuff because I'm anorexic.  I'm sure there's more benefits to DDR than just weight loss, but that's what I hear about the most often, and it doesn't concern me in the least.

What got me into DDR was DDR Ultramix 2 on Original Xbox.

The music, graphics, and online gameplay were great

(had tons of online features that Universe series does not have)

My friend, Jessica re-introduced me to DDR - she was the one that got me into it.

I had previous encounters with DDR in the arcade, but playing it at home is great! 

The primary reason I play DDR is for the music - listening to songs I have never heard of and then these songs becoming my favorites really make me look forward to new DDR games. I don't like it however when all of the mainstream music is added, especially garbage like Jamiroqui and Justin Timberlake. These songs are not dance worthy, just mute-worthy!

I like the health benefits - the workout mode is great - however I am underweight so I don't use the mat too much. My parents tell me to eat and eat... lol!

Another reason why I play DDR is the online gameplay (its always nice meeting new people on DDR. - Xbox Live is the best ^_^) More online gameplay features is VERY IMPORTANT, and hopefully Universe 3 will adress this. More downloadable songs, more modes, more options. (The Ultramix series had much more online features...why not Universe?)

I also play DDR because it is fun. Even on the controller. I feel like DDR is in my blood. The graphics/background videos are also a nice added benefit (primarily the Xbox versions, as the PS2 versions were not so good in that department)

Its kinda addicting challenging yourself to improve, as well as unlock everything the game has to offer. DDR is a game that more people need to play. Many people are missing out ^_^ 

Jamiroquai is really good dude and I would be glad to hear his music in DDR (I guess he's in XBOX).

I got into DDR when I was 10 just because I really liked the gameplay. The music wasn't much of a factor for me at the time, though I did enjoy the songs.

I play now because I like the gameplay, and I like the music. The competition is also fun, and I like to improve my scores and get better.

Kinda boring reasons I guess, haha.

I started playing it because it was fun.  Four years later, I continue playing it for the challenge, the fun, and the health benefits.

I'm a 40-year-old woman, and I've recently come to realize that I really need to take care of my body. At middle age a lot of people start sagging and blobbing out because they "are too old" to run around and work up a sweat; it's undiginfied or some such. Well, dignity has never been a problem for me. Neither has weight; I've always been on the light side of normal. However, I'm not athletic. You couldn't pay me to keep up a gym membership; I'd be bored silly. DDR, for me, is a perfect solution. Not only can I get a good workout and burn off 400-500 calories per day, I have a bunch of fun while I do it and always have a challenge to look forward to.

As a result, I'm in the best shape now that I ever have been. I may not have much upper body strength - never have; my back is not very strong - but there's noticeable muscle definition, and I have legs that could kick through a wall.

I play for a couple reasons.

A) It keeps me as skinny as I am.

B) I like the music, but there could be more, and I look forward to it.

C) The thrill of challenging myself (eg. I can only do Trim on Heavey/Expert, so I do FELMO).

D) I get something to brag about because I'm the best at my school! 

Primarily for the music and the fun. I also play somewhat for the competitive aspect.

I play because the reasons you say.

 As well, funny is very important :P

and it keep me healthier :D

...pretty much all those reasons.

Music
The DDR music has very well impressed me since Konamix, and since then i just love hearing Look To The Sky, Healing Vision, MAX 300, Candy(star), Dream a Dream, and many more other kinds of music. Basically, without music, DDR wouldn't be as fun as it is right now! =D

Health Benefits
Ever since i have started playing DDR, i haven't noticed myself getting slimmer...until last summer where i went all out and lost around 25 pounds simply by playing DDR. Basically, DDR IS my exercise (ontop of the many others that i do), it has helped me slimmed down ALOT, and now that school's out over here, im going all out...again! this time to lose the excess body fat that i have and tone my body and stuff.

Challenge
It's ok for me to simply play DDR without challenges, but DDR without any challenges can make it look pretty boring for a while. Thankfully, since DDRMAX, there have been the BOSS songs to look up to for such challenges. Since then we have had many great BOSS songs such as MAX 300, MAXX UNLIMITED, The Legend of MAX, PARANOiA series, Trip Machine series, FAXX and ~eternal love mix~ and most recent is P~Hades~, Pluto, and PR. Without these challenges, DDR would be a very simple arcade game that anyone can PWN at and get scores as easily as an expert player. Now i'm not the kind of guy that looks forward to getting the highest score, but yet it wouldn't be fun if you challenged yourself to get that highest score.

And there are other reason as to why i play DDR, but those are my top three reasons.

The music. Specifically the original music, but most of the licenses are nice surprises too.

If it were only about the music then I'd just buy the OSTs instead of the games and play beatmania instead. Oh wait. Well, that's only 85% true for me. I also like stepping on arrows. The physical action of DDR is fun. I also used to be focused the competition/improvement/scores, but now I spread that out over lots of games.

I pretty much started with DDR for the unique challenge it provided, the health benefits were a bonus.

I got a taste in the arcade & it was enough to get me hooked & get me to buy the home version of the game & pretty much kept going from there.

I started playing it like 8  years ago on DDR 2000 Solo ( not sure abt the title but it got I'M ALIVE and I DON'T WANT TO MISS A THINK remix) in it and 3rd Mix.I got so hooked by the game and i was like 15 at that time so i went to arcade everytime after my high school tuition classes finished.

 Normally i only listen to punk rock and alternative songs by myself.But i really love the dance songs on DDR especially while i'm playing it and stepping with the rhythms.

 there's something unique abt video games , how can i say it it's like every time we finish a hard songs on DDR or solve a puzzle on these Survival Horror games or get 100% on our fav.RPG it just feels great , the feeling of accomplishment is awesome.

I always go to arcade nearly every week when i was around 16-20 since i think it's more fun to hang out with the community and frds.i went back there once or twice in a month these days.but most of the people i knew are nowhere to b found.but we can easily make new frds when playing DDR right ? ^o^

I'm currently playing SN2 at my home :)