Best products from r/DanceDanceRevolution

Hello! I have been researching this a lot lately so, to answer your question fully, I think it comes down to three things: what is your price range, what platform is your friend using, and how handy are you? I'm sure there are more knowledgable people who will chime in but I feel like after pouring through a lot of posts on this sub I can give some fairly standard advice.

The most affordable and device agnostic solution (without getting a cheap "plastic pad") is the "DDR Energy 1 inch foam deluxe pad" from Amazon (https://www.amazon.com/Dance-Revolution-Energy-Deluxe-Playstation-2/dp/B000GHG0BA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1467232923&sr=8-1&keywords=ddr+pad). I own two of these: truth be told I have some issues with ghost steps on one pad and while the other so far is holding up, I just purchased it and I am not convinced it is 100% just yet. You'll see conflicting reviews online about these, particularly the metal pads, but these foam pads are recommended commonly. This is around $60 bucks, has a nice stable foam insert, and can work on multiple platforms (PC and PS2 probably being the most common). While my personal experience might not seem like a glowing review, I would still recommend this pad. In my opinion this is your safest bet.

If you are wary about the quality of the DDR Energy pad, can afford a little more, and your friend plays on PC, consider this pad (http://dancepadmania.com/product/dance_pads/deluxe-dance-pad/). While I have not personally used it, I have seen multiple people on here recommending it over the similar DDR energy pad. Comes in at around $85.

If you are handy and want to make an extra special gift, your next option (in terms of price) would be to construct your own metal pad. This is the route I am currently investigating as my next step up- this thread has information on the construction process (https://zenius-i-vanisher.com/v5.2/viewthread.php?threadid=3350). I see many people using Riptide's guide as a starting point and there are video tutorials of the whole process on youtube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0aE88SHLHwU). From my research, I think this would set you back somewhere between $100-$150 + your time to construct it.

If you are not handy, but money is no option and you want the best of the best, you'd be hard pressed to find something better than an OmegaGX from precision dance pads (http://www.precisiondancepads.com/index.php?id_product=8&controller=product&id_lang=1). This can also be customized as well to make the gift extra special, but you're looking at spending around $350. This is considered the premiere home dance pad solution - at this point the only step up would be purchasing an actual machine or modifying arcade dance pads for use on PC.

Hope this helps :D!

You could try something like this? A friend of mine used to have a similar foam pad - and reviews on this one look /mostly/ good and it's within your price range. This is USB so it should work on a 360; though I don't think it'd work on the Wii - but it might? This SHOULD work for PC as well! Which is what I'd recommend.


Keep in mind - ANY foam pad or less tier pad won't exactly allow you to pass some of the harder songs. So if you have some hardcore DDR players in your club they will likely laugh at these. I'm just being honest. However if you're just trying to play for fun - these would be fine!


In terms of which version of the game to get - never played Dance Dance Revolution Universe or DDR Universe 2 but scrolling through those song lists they seem to have a decent selection I guess. That would be your best bet if you chose the Xbox 360 as your choice of system. Also the easiest solution. Both of those games could probably be found at a local used game store or dare I say... Gamestop... Or even Ebay.


If you can find a spare computer (literally can run on just about anything) you could get a free piece of software called Stepmania. It only comes with a few songs when you first download it... but you can get more songs various ways. This would allow you to hand pick exactly which songs you'd like but also would be a bit more setup. Here's an ok article breaking down some controls and stuff.


I hope this helps!

I bought this official Konami pad and have been happy with it. Only complaint is the down and X (bottom right) both register the down arrow but it's pretty easy to play like that.

https://www.amazon.com/Xbox-360-Dance-Revolution-Original-Konami/dp/B003FG68U2/

It uses usb and can be used with stepmania on PC. I would recommend using Stepmania for home play and you can download any song on sites like zenius. Simply love is a nice clean minimal theme for Stepmania.

I converted it into a hard pad using this tutorial:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Soem9tnzeG0

Hmm. I see what you mean. I really don't know about the differences. There's a description of each one, but I would assume that each version has a couple little updates/improvements over previous versions, so with Version 4 being cheaper than 3 at the moment, I'd say that's the one to get, although I don't know if the changes really make it any better than Version 2. I also haven't ordered from their website, so I can't really vouch for that. This is the pad I got: http://www.amazon.com/PS2-Energy-Foam-Deluxe-Dance-Playstation/dp/B000GHG0BA/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&qid=1425832275&sr=8-9&keywords=ddrgame+pad

I hope Amazon links are okay around here. Anyways, I'd really recommend a more expensive pad if you're serious about playing a lot. My pad worked great for about a year of light use, and then one of the arrows started either not responding to input or being stuck as "down" even when I wasn't standing on it. If they were like $20, I wouldn't care, but they're a little expensive to just stop working well after some time.

After it stopped working, I got one of the OmegaGX pads, and it's been great. Very responsive and comfortable to use.

Absolutely. For me it's either between this or, possibly building one myself using actual arcade parts - actual arcade panels, high end wooden or impact plastic frame etc. But if I WERE to buy a pad, it'd an Energy pad full-stop.

No - In fact, I think the non-bar version actually uses overall more metal in it's construction than the Bar model. Unless you absolutely NEED the bar, I'd steer clear, plus it'll be easier to move and store etc.

Totally up to you, but honestly besides a used Flux or a Blue Shark I think these are by far your best bet until something better comes along.

Again, you may get a bum pad, but I'd order it through Amazon which has an Amazing Prime sale on these and awesome return policy if you get a womp pad - https://www.amazon.com/DDR-Game-Energy-Metal-Dance-Xbox/dp/B000IBQ6B8/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8

Hope it works out for you man!

> and that you had a ddrgame metal pad that you preferred over the tape pad.

No, I threw my ddrgame pads away because they were no longer repairable (without welding!) a year or two before I built the tape pad, so no I would not have said this. In several places I have explained that they needed constant repair when they did still work and I do not recommend anybody buy them.

It's true when I built the tape pad I could only play at a 7, but now I mostly play 9s now. But yeah it's a far cry from 17 and I don't think I'll ever get anywhere near that skill level so I'll never be able to test that out on anything.

BUT, the foam in my tape pad design is extremely thin and bouncy - not like the stuff used in soft pads which will stay depressed a bit after a hard press. There really is no ghosting, I wouldn't have continued with the design if there was. The top surface is very strong but also very locally flexible, if you slide off as soon as you are past the visual perimeter of the arrow the contact will stop. And as far as not being able to feel where the arrows are, that's precisely what I was saying was the similarity between your design and mine - flat top, no recessed arrows. I understand you added something to give some feel to it though there was a review on this sub a while back that said it wasn't very noticeable.

For the record, I'm not suggesting that anyone build a tape pad instead of just buying an Omega GX. The materials and hours of labor it takes to build a tape pad are really not a good deal when you can buy an existing robust product for $300. I just don't like you dissing my design!

As far as videos online, very few people have the Impact Arcade pads because they cost a ton and are actually very hard to learn about online if you don't know what to look for because they are not actually associated with DDR or ITG anywhere - the company that makes it and the software to go with it probably wants to stay far from that so they don't get sued. I actually found out about the Impact pads when searching for a used set of Cobalt Flux pads, the reference was from some discussion buried several pages deep in Google results, not easy to find at all.

If I were you, apparently a level 17 player who is basing a business on selling DDR pads, I would buy an Impact Arcade pad and do the same song twice, once on that and once on an Omega, and film pad+screen, and prove that the Impact pad will miss or ghost or in some way not work well as you are guessing - and to be fair you are guessing at this point.

I do applaud what you're doing, firstly because you are turning something you are clearly very passionate about into a business, and secondly because it certainly seems like your product is the best available in its price range - and it's a very good price range to be in. I'd like to caution you, however, that there are two patents (that I know of) which could pose a problem for you.

US7122751 This one is actually owned by Cobalt Flux and maintenance fees are paid up on it despite the company closing many years ago so that means the owner does intend to enforce their rights if there is any infringement. I'm not saying you are infringing, but you should probably look into it if you have not already. This one is scary because it seems very generic though I find it hard to read. Although you have said your switch design is nothing like the Cobalt Flux design, claim #1 of this patent is quite generically describing a set of pressure activated switches in a dance pad that it seems like any DDR pad would apply - including the original DDR arcade machines which would obviously be prior art so I'm not sure how this claim #1 of patent was approved. It's possible that Cobalt Flux continues to maintain the patent because they are being paid royalties from the company that makes the Impact pads.

Then there is this application which is still pending. This one is easier to read, they reference and add on to 7122751 with specific features so you won't infringe so long as you do not both taper the edges of the pad and add more than one handle to the outer perimeter.

By the way, the circuit board in this Bluetooth controller is extremely flat, compact, is usb rechargeable, and can be soldered to. And unlike anything else I have seen it supports the Bluetooth USB HID Keyboard, HID Gamepad, and the Serial Port profile for IOS/Android devices and the mode is software selectable. The on/off is also a soft switch. It makes a GREAT Bluetooth module for a DIY gamepad, the next cheapest I have seen is the $20 board at sparkfun + $20 HID Gamepad firmware license, and that doesn't have a battery or charging circuit built in. So you may want to consider that for making your pads wireless, you could probably build it into the pad without even increasing the thickness.

Just found this sub for the first time and saw your post! I did what you're trying to do, but about a year ago.

• I still play it on PS2 because it's what I played on back in high school and those memories were great. I don't want to play it any other way.
  
• For cardio? Just play everything on Heavy, of course. If you cant' get a good cardio workout with DDR, I don't know what to tell you. Go do MAX300 on Heavy, twice, and report back.
  
• Your TV should have RGB inputs. You should also be able to change your TV to 4:3 in the video settings. If not, a stretched DDR image isn't that bad.
  
  Get DDRMAX and DDRMAX2, then consider getting others for PS2. For me, I got the Japanese version of DDR Extreme because it's pretty much a clone of the previously once DDR Extreme machines while the US version is really different. Lots of different songs and doesn't have the awesome song wheel.
  
  I'm sure you can also find the songs and step files out there on the internet somewhere. I bought this dance pad because it works with PS2 and for PC (Stepmania). I then taped it to one of these. It's heavy and doesn't slide.

There's not exactly a right answer, since everyone has a different play style/preferences. For me, I look for the following:

1. Ventilation: Make sure the shoes can breathe inside, otherwise you will get sweaty feet that will chafe/smell.
   
2. Heel size: A giant heel will possibly get in the way with crossovers, or will get stuck on brackets. Smaller = better IMO.
   
3. Bounce: Wearing shoes with no bounce can make fast patterns more difficult and more stamina-draining. You want something that rebounds nicely.
   
4. Feedback: This kind of goes hand-in-hand with bounce, as you're usually prioritizing one over the other. Running shoes are usually designed to absorb impact and have a great bounce. However, for a game that relies on precise timing, too much absorption can greatly reduce how you feel your steps.
   
5. Fit: I wear a size down for my DDR shoes. Having a slightly tighter fit keeps my feet from sliding around inside.
   
6. Sole: You want something that isn't too textured. Harsh textures will be more likely to get caught on brackets. If you get something too smooth, you'll be sliding around like mad.
   
   As for specifics, some people like Nike Free Runs, but I find them to be too squishy, and the heel to be too big.
   https://www.amazon.com/Nike-942838-001-Black-Running-Sneakers/dp/B005DNKHD4
   
   Nike Reacts are better, IMO.
   https://www.amazon.com/Nike-Flyknit-Running-Black-Pure-Platinum/dp/B07QHM9NKW/
   
   I'm currently trying a pair of Crocs here:
   https://www.amazon.com/Crocs-Mens-LiteRide-Pacer-white/dp/B074F76RHB/ref=asc_df_B074F76RHB
   
   But my previous favorite were a pair of these:
   https://www.scheels.com/p/mens-jordan-88-racer-running-shoes/7843-AV1200.html
   
   Found them at the Nike outlet for under $40. Small heel, good feedback, but ventilation sucks.

I can't tell you what pad to get, but for adapters, I picked up two of the 3-in-1 Magic Joy Box adapter to hook up to my PC and they work perfectly. It has connections for original Xbox, PS1/2, and Gamecube.


I'm using the PS1/2 ports on my pads, so I can't give any specifics on using an Xbox pad or Gamecube pad. Everything was plug-n-play on Windows 10 and I just had to set the buttons in the Stepmania config and I was done.


Here's a non-affiliate Amazon link.

https://www.amazon.com/Magic-Joy-Box-XBOX-PC-Adapter/dp/B000RLWF7I/

According to my doctor you can get custom orthotics from a podiatrist but she doesn't think they perform any better than the insoles with the hard arch and they cost a ton. I will say the hard part feels a little weird at first but it makes a huge difference in the stress on my feet.

The air plus brand is my favorite because they are readily available at Target and the ladies version is only $8.99, however this brand on Amazon is pretty similar. I'm sure there's a men's version as well. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00F9AK204/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_UYcVAbYQH207T

Thanks so much! I'll look into doing this ASAP!

EDIT: I just checked my pad and the port on the dance pad looks like this (it isn't a VGA cable obviously, but it has those 15 pins): http://img.dxcdn.com/productimages/sku_31738_3.jpg

Does that mean instead of the Male DSUB thing you linked me, I should get a female one instead, like this?
https://www.amazon.com/D-SUB-Female-Terminal-Breakout-Connector/dp/B00X73QLMI/ref=pd_bxgy_23_img_2?ie=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=AF7D9ECT2HHBG2RH3YVE

I just want to make absolutely sure I get the right thing. :)

Ohh, that's a pretty good-looking set of speakers. I've been planning on doing the same thing as you here. Curious, how are you thinking propping up the TV and speakers? I've been considering cobbling together a solution using this rolling tv stand. For a 32" TV it should let you put it up at the perfect height, I think. Top of the screen level with your eyes, and 20-ish inches away, like someone said.

Hi! I was recommended this converter a while ago in this same subreddit. They recommended me this one MAYFLASH 3 in 1 Magic Joy Box For Pc https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000ND3XXA?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share. It works phenomenally!
I played them on my standard dance mats then upgraded to a Cobalt Flux Residential version and of course works great!

Nice on being able to keep that pad! I recently was able to get a Cobalt Flux as well so I was in the same spot you were. The Cobalt Flux should have a control box attached like here. Since there are both PS2 and Xbox ports, you can either get a PS2 adapter or an Xbox adapter. If you want to go the PS2 route you can get a Super Joy Box 3 Pro adapter. Personally I went the Xbox route. For the Xbox port, I bought 2 cables. An Xbox breakaway cable, and a Xbox Controller to PC USB adapter. These have worked like a charm for me. It doesn't have to be these exact ones but these are just the ones I used. I'm not too sure on the specifics of lag but it operates fairly well for me. Hope this helps.

Soft and foam are different. Soft pads have no structure to them; you could roll them up if you wanted. The foam (sometimes called firm) pads are essentially the same thing but they have foam inserts in them which can help longevity and responsiveness.

The D-Force Softpad appears to be one of the best softpads available but it is pricey ($45+) for a softpad and only connects to PCs.

If you are willing to spring for a slight more expensive option, DDRGame's Energy Pad had Xbox, USB, and PS2 connectors and are reasonably priced for foam pads ($60). A number of people on this sub, myself included, have recommended this pad, though it appears that there is a non-trival amount of factory defects going by a recent post and Amazon reviews.

I'd say that a foam pad is the way to go if you don't want to pay a ton for a metal pad.

I recommend this one

I've used this one the past few years and it's held up pretty well. And do you know about Stepmania?

If not, it's basically DDR for your computer. That pad I linked has a usb chord on it (as well as a ps2 chord) and you can configure it to Stepmania and play that way. Here's a link to the Stepmania Megapack, that has most of the official DDR songs.

I am here for you in your time of need!

Here's what I used:

A USB Encoder: https://www.amazon.com/Reyann-Arcade-Encoder-Joystick-Fighting/dp/B00UUROWWK/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1522934637&sr=8-3&keywords=usb+encoder ($11)

A VGA cup (double check that yours is 15 pin, some of the very early cobalts were 9 pin, I think): https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B016FBVIJY/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 ($10)

With the D-Sub, if money and time isn't a problem, shell out for one that comes with an enclosure like this one: https://www.amazon.com/MyCableMart-15pin-Connector-Repair-Solderless/dp/B01N45B2PV/ref=pd_sim_23_4?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B01N45B2PV&pd_rd_r=BDEX1B1V5S71ZSB7YCXH&pd_rd_w=LBp2Y&pd_rd_wg=zzOED&psc=1&refRID=BDEX1B1V5S71ZSB7YCXH

It's a lot tidier and protects your wires a bit. If money is an option and/or you're good at soldering you can get a solder one cheaper. I like these because you just slip the wire in and tighten the screw. The screw is weaker than a solder but that's not going to be the weak point of connection and try not to trip over your wires anyway, please.

You also need a small screw driver and either a pair of wire strippers or a pair of scissors and some precision. The process of wiring it is going to be pretty easy - the USB encoder comes all the wires you're going to need - we'll use the red and black ones. You'll cut off the ends, strip them, and connect them. I can walk you through this process when you get your parts but really you just need a picture of the end product... which I'll get you when I get home.

Previous folks have mapped the pins for us: https://imgur.com/TX7jvnZ

The only important one is that ground. There's going to be a "GND" marked on your DSUB, but don't connect it to that, you need to map the Ground properly. The rest of the pins can be connected to whatever, because you'll be mapping the buttons in Stepmania. Get the parts, I'll take a picture of mine at home and when you have the parts in, I'll have some images of my strip and connection process up in a gallery. Otherwise I'll sell you mine for.. like... $35, plus shipping. It's not worth the price since I haven't bothered to print a box for the encoder yet, so just make your own :D

This has worked great for my friends and I. It allows you to keep buying Konami pads and use them on the PC if that's your thing.

Like Nebu said, if you are playing 8 and up, consider hard pads.

I actually made this thread a few weeks ago over on the Stepmania sub. See the comments here

Your best bet for a control box is to build your own, unfortunately. I built one, and would be glad to help you out if you have questions, but it's actually surprisingly straight forward (I only know how to make a USB one for PC though). All you need is a USB Encoder and a 15-pin VGA.
I soldered mine, but with this VGA you can just strip the wires and screw them in the terminals. You'll need the pinout diagram to reference and figure out which pins to use. You'll only need to connect wires 1-10 because there's no Start or Select buttons. I can take a picture of my finished product if you're interested to give you an idea of what you're looking at

Given this is for a school orientation I'd go for getting two of these pads.

I'd also get some wood or something to place under the pads, as well as something like velcro to secure the pads on the wood.

For the version of the game I'd either run StepMania with a PC (allowing you to use user-created songs which you can find online), or for a console route I'd say Extreme 2 (although DDRMAX and DDRMAX2 are nice too as other people have said).

I bought this item

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000RLWF7I/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

on amazon, drivers worked out of the box. for win 10, there is even a "dance pad mode" in the driver software. What "fix" are you looking for?

https://www.amazon.com/Dance-Revolution-Energy-Deluxe-Playstation-2/dp/B000GHG0BA/ref=mp_s_a_1_7?keywords=ddr+pad+foam&qid=1564884847&s=gateway&sr=8-7

^ the foam pad that I bought, after about four months of use the inserts (that started out raised) are wearing flat, and the inserts don't stay interlocked all the way, but still works fine and I'd recommend over one of the flatter plastic mats

I'm actually saving up for a Polish hard one myself, so can't say how they are yet, but I've only heard good things. Trouble is shipping costs quite a bit for me in the US.

I use this one

https://www.amazon.com/Magic-Joy-Box-PS2-XBOX-Adapter/dp/B000RLWF7I

Can confirm, works fine with my " DDR Champion Arcade Metal Dance Pad "

It should definitely be possible, but now's the time to admit that while I have built a box, I still don't really know electrical engineering fundamentals. I followed the advice of the people more experienced than me and used this and this (For PS2 you'd replace that with an old board from a PS2 controller). I can't find a D-SUB connector like mine that will fit your 7 pin pad, however I wonder if you could cut off the end and strip the wires in order to wire them into your board directly and skip the D-SUB altogether. If you tried this and it didn't work the damage would be either irreparable or at best annoying as all hell to fix.

You want one with a foam insert. Pads without foam inserts are simply unplayable at even 7-8 foot charts, but I've had pads with inserts hold up well for several years a pad.

I'm using this pad in particular. I just bought a replacement after 2 years of playing about once a week. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000GHG0BA

Metal pads are pretty rare these days after Red Octane and Cobalt Flux went out of business, so those will be unfortunately quite hard to obtain.

You can always check out the Energy Metal pads. I hear they're generally quite awful, but some people report getting good pads that last awhile. http://www.amazon.com/DDRgame-Playstation-Energy-Arcade-2-6304100630490063056006306200/dp/B000IBQ6B8

Your other option is to build one

The monitor was kinda a gimmie. I had an old Westinghouse laying around (VR-3225) and when I tested the input lag it was very low. For speakers I wanted a 2.1 system as thats what All in one SMX machines are as well as DDR Solo cabinets. After some light research I ended up with these - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00GNGL8DS/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_U_s9jYCbG23ZXNW

​

Hope that helps!

Apparently the price got bumped up to $30 since the last time I looked. You can find one for less than $20 at places like cd tradepost.

https://www.amazon.com/Xbox-360-Dance-Revolution-Original-Konami/dp/B003FG68U2

I just want to follow up and say that this item worked out of the box with the Cobalt Flux pad. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000ND3XXA/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

So I just bought this, and it says it has a usb connector in the qa section: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003FG68U2/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

So this shouldn't run into that issue about not being able to hit 2 buttons simultaneously right?

Here is what I would do:

get one of these:
https://www.amazon.com/D-SUB-Female-Terminal-Breakout-Connector/dp/B00X73QLMI

and connect those wires to the breakout (use the same pin numbers), it should still work with the control box you have.

Here is the mobile version of your link