Just in time for the holiday season Just Dance 2020 returns to get everyone in the groove! The series is celebrating its 10th anniversary in style, bringing with it some new and acclaimed features. This year’s entry continues the tradition of Kids Mode, Co-op Play and introduces 40 new songs to the roster. In order to celebrate the game’s anniversary, All Stars Mode has been added covering over 10 years of fan favourite songs.
My entire family put Ubisoft’s latest dance game through its paces and came away impressed. Whether playing solo, or in a group there is something for everyone no matter the age group. Let’s put on those dancing shoes and take an in-depth look at what Just Dance 2020 has to offer!
Just Dance 2020 Details
Platform: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One
Reviewed on: Xbox One
Developer: Ubisoft Paris
Publisher: Ubisoft
Genre: Music
Modes: Single player, multiplayer
ESRB Rating: E10+ (Everyone 10+)
A Star-Studded Line Up
My favourite part of Just Dance 2020 has to be the new All Stars mode. This addition to the lineup celebrates ten years of music that helped define the series. You take on the role of the iconic Just Dance panda who travels to ten different planets that represent the series’ games from the past.
Going from planet to planet introduces you to songs that range from classics like Boney M.’s “Rasputin” to Panic! at the Disco’s “High Hopes.” In this mode you work toward unlocking new tracks to add to your repertoire and take a psychedelic trip down memory lane. I really enjoyed the feeling of a story mode-like progression in the game, and I hope Ubisoft continues to expand upon the premise. It’s a fun, stylish little adventure that pulls you into the zany colorful world of Just Dance.
Fan favourites return
Both Co-op and Kids Mode make their return and are more fun and accessible than ever. Co-op mode lets players join forces to combine scores and own the dance floor together. I was able to play cooperatively quite a bit with my 5-year-old and we had a blast!
We were able to dance along to chart topping favourites like Old Town Road and Taki Taki with lots of laughs and fun along the way. The variety of upbeat, fast paced music really got us moving, especially with the inclusion of new and classic songs from the series.
Kids Mode
Another staple in our household was the included Kids Mode in Just Dance 2020. Originally making its debut in 2018, Kids Mode has simplified the tried and true Just Dance formula for a younger audience. Created in collaboration with children’s fitness experts, the mode really got my guy little guy moving.
This year the kids smash hit Baby Shark has been included, that along with some Disney classics makes for some phenomenal family fun and great exercise. This mode also has the game’s main scoring system reworked in order to give more fun prompts to aspiring little dancers. The “Missed, Supers” and “Perfects” have been replaced with “Hahas, Yays” and “Wows” along with a simplified interface and rainbow star reward system. If you are looking for a fun way to get the entire family more active Just Dance 2020 is a great way to do it.
Just Dance Unlimited
We were able to move through the included songs pretty fast but luckily the game includes a 1-month subscription to Just Dance Unlimited. The service gives you access to a catalog of over 500 songs but it would be ideal to see this service as a permanent mainstay within the game.
If you do decide to subscribe the offerings are massive, with a ton of songs at your disposal. If you are looking to get the most out the game, the extra subscription gives you the most song options. It would be ideal to see this included with future versions of the game.
Groovin’ Gameplay
What’s kept the Just Dance series so popular for all these years is its ease of accessibility and fun. This continues intact with Just Dance 2020 as it contains the perfected dance game formula.
When you first start up the game you get a few options as to how you control your dance-based adventure. This review was carried out on an Xbox One and I was offered to use my Kinect or mobile device as a controller. Both options worked great, and it was nice to see Ubisoft support OG users like myself with the Kinect.
Options to get you moving
I also got to use my iPhone in combination with the Just Dance Controller app. The ease of use is fantastic, you simply start up the game follow the prompts on screen and the device automatically connects. One big perk with smartphones is you can connect up to six players for the ultimate dance off.
This is especially great for parties, as long as your guests have either an Apple or Android smartphone, they are ready for a Just Dance showdown! Up to four players can dance together in multiplayer mode with the PlayStation Camera or Kinect on Xbox One. Four players can also square off with the PlayStation Move or Joy-Con controllers for the Nintendo Switch.
Style to spare
The highly stylized graphics bring the game’s aesthetic together nicely, with colours that pop and wonderfully choreographed characters. If you are looking to generate a high energy party everything about the look and sound of Just Dance 2020 delivers. It’s the perfect complement to have on at any party, whether for kids or adults it has the soundtrack and visual appeal to get everyone moving.
The best part about Just Dance 2020 is that it works in so many ways: it’s a dance game, jukebox and karaoke machine all in one. No matter what mode we were playing as a family everyone was getting into the action.
Just Dance 2020 is a party starter for the whole family
I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed the Just Dance 2020 experience. I’m personally not a great dancer, but the game oozes fun and encourages everyone to get in on the action. Even if you are watching the game from the sidelines you’ll get the urge to jump in and play.
Thankfully, Ubisoft has provided a plethora of options via smart phone and traditional controllers that gives everyone a chance to play. It’s the perfect game to have on at a party, and it definitely gets people moving with a great line up of top 40 songs. The game offers multiple modes across age groups and skill levels so everyone has something to come back for. If you are looking for fun time to help get everyone active, Just Dance 2020 is a great choice!
+Fun party experience for all ages and skill levels
+Feeling of progression in All Stars mode is fun
+Custom curated playlists established via in-game selections
+Controller options are plentiful
-interface is a little too busy
-A lot of content linked to an extra subscription in Just Dance Unlimited
OVERALL ASSESSMENT OF JUST DANCE 2020
Gameplay: 4/5
Graphics: 4/5
Sound: 4/5
Lasting Appeal/Replayability: 4/5
Overall Rating 4/5 (80%)
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I don’t listen to popular music. There are only a few songs that I think I know.
– Always look on the Bright Side of Life, I remember this from the end of Life of Brian
– Baby Shark, I remember this from my childhood
– Everybody (Backstreet’s Back), I never really listened to Backstreet Boys but I did hear the song a few times back in the day.
– The Time (Dirty Bit), I think I heard this one on occasion.
I thought for a moment that I knew part of the song High Hopes, but I was remembering the song that Goofy sang during ‘A Goofy Movie’ “I’ve got high hopes, I’ve got high apple pie in the sky hopes.” I’m pretty sure that’s a different song.
I’m sure there are a lot of songs here that many people will know. Thanks for checking out the game!
Thanks for checking out the review Ian, I appreciate it! Even if Just Dance 2020 doesn’t have a ton of song titles you recognize, all of them are made to get you moving. The game is like a dance coach, DJ, and karaoke machine in one. Give it a whirl, I highly recommend it for any upcoming holiday parties.
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