Just like clockwork, another addition to the Just Dance series has arrived in the form of Just Dance 2022. And just like before, I’m not ashamed to say that I’ve been waiting for this all year. My addiction to the series started in 2020 and ever since then, my kids and I have not missed an installment. That’s because Just Dance is the most fun I’ve had gaming with my whole family. This is a game that will appeal to players of all ages, regardless of your dancing skill level and the main point of the game is to just let it all loose and not to worry about how silly you might look. I can guarantee those who you’ll be playing with aren’t going to be judging your dance moves. They’ll be there having just as much fun as you are. This year, we’re checking out the series again on Nintendo Switch.
Like all the games that came before this, the underlying game in Just Dance 2022 is the same. Basically, you choose a song you want to dance to and the game plays a music video for you with dancers you must mimic as exactly as possible to earn a high score. This year, Just Dance 2022 introduces 40 new hit songs from artists such as Taylor Swift, Billie Elish, Camila Cabello, and much more. There’s also an additional 700+ tracks available if you choose to subscribe to Just Dance Unlimited. The game includes a 30-day free trial to Unlimited so you can check it out and see if it’s right for you. If it is, you can choose to subscribe for 1 day, 20 days, 90 days, or 365 days.
Gameplay-wise, Just Dance 2022 plays exactly like the previous version. It is played mainly with the Joy-Cons – one for each player. If you want to play with more people, you’ll need extra Joy-Cons. If you don’t have extra Joy-Cons, you can get everyone with a smartphone to download the Just Dance Controller App on their phones and you can play like that. The only weird thing about this is that you can only play with all Joy-Cons or all smartphones. You can’t mix play with both which is still a disappointing aspect of the game.
Why do I love the Just Dance series? Well, it’s because this is a game that honestly gets you off your feet and moving like no other game can. This is especially true if you’re playing with friends or family in the same room. It makes the entire experience more enjoyable. When I play with my kids and my wife, we’re having a grand old time, giggling and laughing and shouting about how out of shape we are. And that’s another thing, Just Dance 2 is exercising without feeling like exercising. So not only are you having fun, but you’re also getting in shape.
It’s not just the dancing either that has my kids playing. They’re also trying to Super Star and Mega Star each of the songs so they can unlock the harder versions of them. They also want to earn coins so they can use the capsule machine to get new avatars, skins, and stickers. These are just little extras that keep you coming back for more. It also helps that we have access to Just Dance Unlimited and the hundreds of other songs available and not just the base songs.
Now while the underlying game is basically the same, Ubisoft seems to have at least improved the visuals this time around. The videos seem to have much better production value now with much better-looking backgrounds. Not only that, there are some videos that look really well done, such as one that’s staring a full stop-motion animated panda. There are even videos featuring real live dance studios, such as the 1 MILLION Dance Studio from South Korea. The costumes and wardrobes are even more outlandish now and everything is just super colorful and bright. Not only is Just Dance 2022 an audio treat, but it’s now also a visual treat.
FINAL THOUGHTS
If you’re new to the franchise, Just Dance 2022 is a must-buy. This is a fantastic party game and one that you will enjoy with friends and family. However, if you are coming from a previous version of the game, you’re basically paying for some new songs and better production value on the videos and dances. This is the best version of the game though so it’s up to you whether or not you want it. Like before, if you enjoy the base game, definitely opt for Just Dance Unlimited.
With that said, Just Dance 2022 on the Nintendo Switch is worth it and so much fun with the Joy-cons. The Switch makes it portable and you can take the game anywhere you go, which means it can be party time, anytime.
Just Dance 2022 is available now on the Nintendo eShop and on Amazon as a physical edition.
