Turn Up the Music. Find Your Rhythm. Just Dance!
Courtesy of: Ubisoft Entertainment
Written By: William Antie
There's something special about hearing a song that takes you back to another time. It might be a familiar melody, a favorite artist, or a song that brings back memories of listening to the radio when you were younger. Sometimes you don't even realize how much you remember until those first few notes begin playing. Music has a wonderful way of connecting us to different moments in our lives, and that's one of the things I found myself enjoying about Just Dance: Decades of Hits.
Bringing together 35 songs spanning six decades, from the 1970s through the 2020s, Just Dance: Decades of Hits offers a fun mix of familiar favorites and music waiting to be discovered. From Elton John's "Crocodile Rock" and Madonna's "Into the Groove" to No Doubt's "Just a Girl" and *NSYNC's "Bye Bye Bye," there's something special about hearing a song you know and suddenly finding yourself singing along, remembering the music, or wanting to get up and dance.
My experience with rhythm games goes back quite a few years. I spent time playing Konami's Dance Dance Revolution in arcades and on consoles, including the PlayStation, PlayStation 2, and Wii. Those experiences focused heavily on footwork, following directional steps, and keeping up with the rhythm. So, coming to Just Dance for the first time was an interesting change of pace. Here, the emphasis is much more on following choreography and coordinating your upper-body movements with the dance coach on screen. Rather than concentrating primarily on directional steps, you're watching a dancer and trying to mirror the movements, particularly with your right hand. It was a different kind of rhythm game experience, and I was curious to see how quickly I would get comfortable with it.
Keep moving, pay attention to the dancer, and give yourself time to become familiar with the choreography.
As the music plays, a dance coach performs the choreography on screen, giving you someone to follow as you move along with the song. Pictograms also appear to help show the upcoming movements and give you an idea of what is coming next. The game tracks your movements, with particular attention to your right hand, so watching the dancer and following the choreography are important parts of the experience.
One thing I found challenging at first was trying to watch the dance coach while also keeping an eye on the Pictograms. There were times when I concentrated on the dancer and didn't pay enough attention to the upcoming movements. Other times, I focused on where my right hand needed to be and lost track of the choreography. It took some practice to become more comfortable with balancing the two.
I also found myself wishing the rhythm indicator beneath the Pictograms made the first beat of each measure easier to identify. Highlighting that first beat in a different color could help players recognize when a movement sequence begins and make it easier to follow along.
The song lyrics appear in the lower-left portion of the screen, which is a nice addition. However, I found them difficult to read while dancing and trying to keep up with the movements. I would also enjoy having an option to simply watch the dance coach and enjoy the music without having to participate. Sometimes it's just fun to sit back and appreciate the choreography.
For anyone new to the game, my advice would be not to worry about getting every movement right immediately. You're going to miss a few steps, and that's perfectly fine. Keep moving, pay attention to the dancer, and give yourself time to become familiar with the choreography. Part of the enjoyment is learning as you go and letting yourself get caught up in the music.
One of the biggest surprises for me was Adventure Mode. Rather than simply selecting songs and moving from one performance to another, this mode gives you a story to follow, with dialogue scenes and opportunities to explore different decades. As you progress, you can discover treasures that add to your dance card and take part in trivia challenges related to the music and the time periods represented. These little additions give you something else to look forward to as you make your way through the experience. I particularly enjoyed having something to follow beyond the individual songs. It gives the game another layer and makes exploring the different decades more interesting. I also enjoyed playing through the mode on my own, although I can see how sharing the experience with a friend could make it even more fun. Adventure Mode was something I hadn't necessarily expected to enjoy as much as I did, and it became one of my favorite parts of the game.
The available controller options depend on which console you're playing on. On Nintendo Switch, you can use the Joy-Con controllers or use the Just Dance Controller app's Camera Controller Mode. This mode uses your smartphone's camera to track your movements and is designed for solo play. On PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S, a smartphone with the Just Dance Controller app is required to track your dance movements. The regular console controllers can still be used for menu navigation, but they do not track your dancing. No additional tracking accessories are needed.
I tried a couple of different ways to control the game using the Nintendo Switch. For some songs, I held my smartphone running the Just Dance Controller app in my right hand while using the left Joy-Con in my other hand. I also played some songs using only the right Joy-Con, without holding anything in my left hand. It was interesting to experience the different setups and see how each felt while dancing. I was also interested in trying Camera Controller Mode, which uses your phone's camera to track your movements without having to hold it. I wasn't quite sure what to expect, but I was pleasantly surprised by how well it worked. I found myself preferring this option because not having to hold a controller gave me more freedom to move, making the experience feel a little more natural.
Before setting up Camera Controller Mode on Nintendo Switch, you'll need the free Just Dance Controller app on an iOS phone running version 14.4 or higher, or an Android phone running Android 9 or higher. Make sure your phone and Switch are connected to the same Wi-Fi network, that you have an internet connection, and that your phone has enough battery. Open the app, pair it with the game using the on-screen code, choose your song, and select Camera Controller Mode. For the best results, position your phone sideways, approximately 1.5 to 2.5 feet above the ground and 4.5 to 6.5 feet away from where you'll be dancing. A sturdy surface, such as a book or box, can help keep it in place. Make sure the room is well lit and the phone is positioned straight so the camera can see your movements.
One other consideration is playing offline. Even if you've downloaded songs to your Nintendo Switch, playing offline means you'll need to use the Joy-Con controllers. Camera Controller Mode and the phone-based tracking options require the app and an internet connection. It's worth knowing these details ahead of time so you can choose the setup that works best for how you want to play.
While playing on your own is enjoyable, Just Dance: Decades of Hits also supports local play for up to six players. That gives friends and family the opportunity to join in, take turns, or dance together. Party Mode adds another way to enjoy the game, with changing rules that bring some unpredictability to the experience. And for those who enjoy keeping track of their activity, Workout Mode offers a way to monitor calories burned during each dance. Whether you're looking for a little friendly competition, an activity to share with others, or simply a reason to get up and move, there are different ways to make the experience your own.
Although I enjoyed discovering the game, there are a few areas where I think the experience could be more welcoming to newcomers. Since this was my first time playing Just Dance, I would have appreciated a more thorough introduction to the gameplay. A Practice or Beginner mode could make a difference, especially for someone who hasn't played this type of game before. For example, it would be helpful to have a mode that demonstrates a movement in rhythm, pauses to show players how to perform it, and then gives them an opportunity to try it themselves. A separate instructional video could also help explain how to follow the dance coach, understand the Pictograms, and recognize how scoring works, including special moves such as the "Yeah" moves. These additions wouldn't necessarily make the game easier. They would simply give new players a better understanding of what to watch for and how to get started. Once you become more comfortable with the movements, you can spend less time figuring out what to do and more time enjoying the music.
Another feature worth mentioning is the ability to access songs from multiple editions in one place. Those who own Just Dance: Decades of Hits as well as Just Dance 2023–2026 editions will be able to access all their songs in one place on the same console without having to switch games or separate menus! This also includes songs from purchased Music Packs and songs available through an active Just Dance+ subscription. For players who have built up a collection of songs over several editions, having everything accessible in one place is a welcome convenience.
My first experience with Just Dance: Decades of Hits turned out to be a fun one. I enjoyed revisiting familiar music, discovering a different style of rhythm gameplay, and especially exploring Adventure Mode. There were moments when I had to remind myself to watch the dancer, pay attention to the Pictograms, and keep moving, but that was part of getting used to something new. I also appreciated having different ways to play, particularly Camera Controller Mode. Being able to move without holding a controller made the experience feel more natural for me, and it's an option I would be happy to use again.
There are some opportunities to make the learning experience clearer, especially for newcomers, but I wouldn't want anyone to feel they need to master every movement before having a good time. The music is there to be enjoyed, the choreography gives you something to follow, and sometimes the best moments happen when you simply let go and dance. Whether you're revisiting songs from earlier decades, discovering music you haven't heard before, or looking for something enjoyable to share with friends and family, Just Dance: Decades of Hits brings a lot of music together in one place. For me, it was a welcome reminder that you don't have to get every step right to enjoy the rhythm.
Just Dance: Decades of Hits is available now for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S, with a suggested retail price of $39.99.
The Nintendo Switch 2 Edition is scheduled to arrive November 10, 2026. Players who own the Nintendo Switch version will be able to upgrade for free.
Source: ChrisWill Media
About the Authors: Christopher L. Antie and William Antie are podcast journalists and media personalities covering entertainment, travel, culture, events, and stories from across a wide range of industries. Together, they bring a conversational and experience-driven approach to the stories they share. Follow more from Chris & Will through their podcast, What About Our Life?, on iHeartRadio and at chrisandwill.com.