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Water Cooler Games served as the web's primary forum for "videogames with an agenda" — coverage of the uses of video games in advertising, politics, education, and other everyday activities, outside the sphere of entertainment.

The site was maintained at watercoolergames.org from 2003-2009, where it was edited by myself and Gonzalo Frasca. It is now archived here in full.

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Dance Pads for GameCube

by Ian Bogost December 4, 2004

categories: Console & PC Games , Health & Medicine Games

Peripheral manufacturer MadCatz has just released the first dance pad peripheral for Nintendo GameCube. They've bundled it with their first published game as well, MC Groovz danceCrazy, for $49.99. The dance pad and game supports 8 directions instead of the normal 4.

I'm constantly hedging on console recommendations to parents who want to play DDR type games but also want good games to play with their kids. I have to say, this completely tips the scales, even if the dance game isn't as good as DDR. Of course, judging by the screenshots, it doesn't look as good, and the playlist is a bit short. Plus, MadCatz peripherals aren't exactly known for their quality. Still, good to have this option for the good old GC.

Comments (8)

oh yeah! i was looking at buying a cheapo game cube and now it's got a dancepad!? rock.

dance maniac on December 9, 2004 11:29 PM

Just found, spy shots of what looks like a Mario-themed DDR-style game for GameCube?

Ian Bogost on January 7, 2005 4:20 PM

Hey i was wondering if there was any alternative to the MadCatz dance pad because i didn't really like the game all that much and the pad i bought didnt work after about and hour of use. I really like the xbox ddr and i was wondering if anyone knew of a new version that is out or soon to come out. I'r really like some comments and info if u have it!! Thankx!

cutiepie10 on February 8, 2005 5:23 PM

I have DDR Ultra Mix 2 if that's what your talking about. The theme is kinda weird cuz it doesnt look like ddr until you actuly play it(not like thats important anyway) The music isnt as good as the first one(thats just my opinion.) and there isnt normal 2 player. The only way you can play 2p is party mode which is weird and very annoying. If your looking for alot of techno and dance then your only going to enjoy half of it. I guess it okay but i'd wait for another to come out.

Ryan on February 21, 2005 9:51 PM

i think that nintendo would get not only great reveiws but also alot of profit if they compromised with x-box and made a "halo" game

for the latest nintendo systems

will on April 9, 2005 4:29 AM

I just got it in the mail today and I played it for the whole day.

Gav on May 13, 2005 12:39 AM

Ian, what you posted is true, there is a DDR with Mario game coming out this year. I heard once that it could be in June or July, but the date might have been pushed back, so I'm not sure. But one thing is for sure, it is coming out this year.

jimfromtx on May 13, 2005 7:33 AM

Cool. I'll look for it at E3 this week and add a comment if I see anything...

Ian Bogost on May 13, 2005 7:43 PM