Alright, as stated, i'm a complete DDR newb. I'd like to get some version of DDR and 2 pads for Xbox, but i know nothing of which pad is good/bad or which versions of Ultramix and so forth are worth buying. Does anyone have any good tips/prices on DDR related material?
I'm a DDR newb, help me
- Thread starter mernst23
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Ultramix 1 was disappointing to me in nearly every regard. I do not own Ultramix 2, but I've heard nothing but good things about it.
I would suggest you hit eBay, and look for "Ultramix2 with 2 pads" bundles. It's usually the cheapest route, and if you're just starting out, the quality of the pads shouldn't really be a problem.
When you get your pads, and don't like the way they feel, you can mod them.
http://www.ddrfreak.com/library/contributor-article.php?postID=7890244
Good luck!
I would suggest you hit eBay, and look for "Ultramix2 with 2 pads" bundles. It's usually the cheapest route, and if you're just starting out, the quality of the pads shouldn't really be a problem.
When you get your pads, and don't like the way they feel, you can mod them.
http://www.ddrfreak.com/library/contributor-article.php?postID=7890244
Good luck!
[quote name='mernst23']Alright, as stated, i'm a complete DDR newb. I'd like to get some version of DDR and 2 pads for Xbox, but i know nothing of which pad is good/bad or which versions of Ultramix and so forth are worth buying. Does anyone have any good tips/prices on DDR related material?[/QUOTE]
i posted a similar post a while back. i ended up getting it from this vendor hartsunlimited.com two foam pads + DDR Ultramix 2 for I believe around 130 bucks shipped. it ships out of NY so it came to me in boston in a couple of days.
i think that's not a bad deal. Everything came brand new and the pads are legit. on ebay you may be able to get it cheaper. something like 70 dollars but expect to pay 30+ shipping.
i posted a similar post a while back. i ended up getting it from this vendor hartsunlimited.com two foam pads + DDR Ultramix 2 for I believe around 130 bucks shipped. it ships out of NY so it came to me in boston in a couple of days.
i think that's not a bad deal. Everything came brand new and the pads are legit. on ebay you may be able to get it cheaper. something like 70 dollars but expect to pay 30+ shipping.
arkast3000
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And if you want to completely dive into the DDR scene you can check out the forums at ddrfreak.com. (They have the complete song lists for every home version available.)
As for pads, I've been fine using the $20 Naoki brand ones, but the ~$100 Red Octane Ignition (redoctane.com) pads are prefered by some.
As for pads, I've been fine using the $20 Naoki brand ones, but the ~$100 Red Octane Ignition (redoctane.com) pads are prefered by some.
The soft pads are perfect for someone beginning with DDR. I also highly recommend modding them at some point. They wear out very easily because, as you'll come to see, they move around and get squished up during play. The mod is very simple to do and not too expensive, either. It will lengthen the life of your soft pads and improve your performance and the registering of the steps.
Over time, if you are really into the game and are looking to upgrade, check out the Red Octane pads or better yet, the Cobalt Flux (http://www.cobaltflux.com). It's really the best pad money can buy. Of course, this is probably down the road for you, but keep it in mind if you ever want to upgrade.
Good luck and have fun!
Over time, if you are really into the game and are looking to upgrade, check out the Red Octane pads or better yet, the Cobalt Flux (http://www.cobaltflux.com). It's really the best pad money can buy. Of course, this is probably down the road for you, but keep it in mind if you ever want to upgrade.
Good luck and have fun!
I purchased some of these for my wife and I to play it.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=41017&item=8182692393&rd=1
If you already have the game, they just sell the pads too.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=41017&item=8182693626&rd=1
Granted, those auctions end pretty quick, but, just click this link http://search.ebay.com/_W0QQsassZhydragamesQQhtZ-1 to see their other items (which includes more of the pads/etc.).
This seller uses more than one name/account on eBay under which we purchased ours. Dunno about the negative feedback. Seems most of the ppl posting didn't pay attention to read what they were buying I guess. Most of their feedback, and my experience, was postive.
Anywho, these pads have a good thick dense foam insert. Some other pads that come with foam inserts don't have as thick of an insert, so they mush down after a time. They have a memory card slot. Or, you can just save your settings/etc. on your XBOX hard drive. You can even use it as a workout type of thing where it counts calories burned/etc. which is pretty neat if you want to use it as a cardio work out type of thing (like my wife and I have...lol).
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=41017&item=8182692393&rd=1
If you already have the game, they just sell the pads too.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=41017&item=8182693626&rd=1
Granted, those auctions end pretty quick, but, just click this link http://search.ebay.com/_W0QQsassZhydragamesQQhtZ-1 to see their other items (which includes more of the pads/etc.).
This seller uses more than one name/account on eBay under which we purchased ours. Dunno about the negative feedback. Seems most of the ppl posting didn't pay attention to read what they were buying I guess. Most of their feedback, and my experience, was postive.
Anywho, these pads have a good thick dense foam insert. Some other pads that come with foam inserts don't have as thick of an insert, so they mush down after a time. They have a memory card slot. Or, you can just save your settings/etc. on your XBOX hard drive. You can even use it as a workout type of thing where it counts calories burned/etc. which is pretty neat if you want to use it as a cardio work out type of thing (like my wife and I have...lol).
WarlordFDC
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[quote name='STATIC3D']I purchased some of these for my wife and I to play it.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=41017&item=8182692393&rd=1
If you already have the game, they just sell the pads too.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=41017&item=8182693626&rd=1
Granted, those auctions end pretty quick, but, just click this link http://search.ebay.com/_W0QQsassZhydragamesQQhtZ-1 to see their other items (which includes more of the pads/etc.).
This seller uses more than one name/account on eBay under which we purchased ours. Dunno about the negative feedback. Seems most of the ppl posting didn't pay attention to read what they were buying I guess. Most of their feedback, and my experience, was postive.
Anywho, these pads have a good thick dense foam insert. Some other pads that come with foam inserts don't have as thick of an insert, so they mush down after a time. They have a memory card slot. Or, you can just save your settings/etc. on your XBOX hard drive. You can even use it as a workout type of thing where it counts calories burned/etc. which is pretty neat if you want to use it as a cardio work out type of thing (like my wife and I have...lol).[/QUOTE]
This is the same guy I got my last 4 pads from. They will eventually wear out since the insides are thin plastic but the first 2 worked for 6 months of daily use (about 40 min a day or more).
I did have to eventually cut them open and add some extra foam to the arrows but after I did that they work great. I am working on completing AA on all the Standard songs now. I am missing about 10 or 15 songs out of the 3 PS2 mixes using these pads. I can also get A on quote a few hard songs with these pads.
The biggest thing to look for is the thick/dense foam inserts. They really help you play longer by softening the steps.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=41017&item=8182692393&rd=1
If you already have the game, they just sell the pads too.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=41017&item=8182693626&rd=1
Granted, those auctions end pretty quick, but, just click this link http://search.ebay.com/_W0QQsassZhydragamesQQhtZ-1 to see their other items (which includes more of the pads/etc.).
This seller uses more than one name/account on eBay under which we purchased ours. Dunno about the negative feedback. Seems most of the ppl posting didn't pay attention to read what they were buying I guess. Most of their feedback, and my experience, was postive.
Anywho, these pads have a good thick dense foam insert. Some other pads that come with foam inserts don't have as thick of an insert, so they mush down after a time. They have a memory card slot. Or, you can just save your settings/etc. on your XBOX hard drive. You can even use it as a workout type of thing where it counts calories burned/etc. which is pretty neat if you want to use it as a cardio work out type of thing (like my wife and I have...lol).[/QUOTE]
This is the same guy I got my last 4 pads from. They will eventually wear out since the insides are thin plastic but the first 2 worked for 6 months of daily use (about 40 min a day or more).
I did have to eventually cut them open and add some extra foam to the arrows but after I did that they work great. I am working on completing AA on all the Standard songs now. I am missing about 10 or 15 songs out of the 3 PS2 mixes using these pads. I can also get A on quote a few hard songs with these pads.
The biggest thing to look for is the thick/dense foam inserts. They really help you play longer by softening the steps.
Definitely pick Ultramix 2 over Ultramix 1. Way better game, IMO. Also, rather than settling on a cheap flimsy pad, I recommend picking up the official Konami Ultramix 2 bundle, which includes their own mat. They are of much better quality, and last a bit longer too.
urzishra14
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the Red Octane pad from Gamestop.. its a 100 bucks though.. but i'm sure you can get it and ultramix 2 for around 140 but if your a newb though I suggest importing a PS1 and getting DDR Best Hits (that one has "little bitch" best DDR song ever)
I bought the $20 Naki Dance Pad Revolution X when I first started playing DDR. The day after I used it for the first time, the down arrow stopped working. Two days later, the right arrow stopped working occasionally. Another day after that, the left arrow stopped working occasionally. Avoid this pad.
I've since upgraded to the BNS Ultra DX-Xtreme dance pad from buynshop.com. I've been using it for a couple of months now, and it's a very good pad. It has the thick foam like the RedOctane Ignition pad, but for $50 instead of $100. You can only buy it from buynshop.com though (they make the pad), and with shipping and a PS2-Xbox adapter (the dance pad is intended for the PS2), it comes up to $75. I've never used a RedOctane Ignition pad, so I can't compare the two, but I've heard the Ultra DX-Xtreme is comparable.
I'd say it's a good middle-of-the-road pad. It's a little bit more expensive but much better than the $20 pads, but not quite as expensive or quite as good as the $300 pads (Cobalt Flux).
I've since upgraded to the BNS Ultra DX-Xtreme dance pad from buynshop.com. I've been using it for a couple of months now, and it's a very good pad. It has the thick foam like the RedOctane Ignition pad, but for $50 instead of $100. You can only buy it from buynshop.com though (they make the pad), and with shipping and a PS2-Xbox adapter (the dance pad is intended for the PS2), it comes up to $75. I've never used a RedOctane Ignition pad, so I can't compare the two, but I've heard the Ultra DX-Xtreme is comparable.
I'd say it's a good middle-of-the-road pad. It's a little bit more expensive but much better than the $20 pads, but not quite as expensive or quite as good as the $300 pads (Cobalt Flux).
Keep in mind that some of the non-name-brand pads (like the ones some ppl sell on eBay), are basically the EXACT same pads as those you buy with a brand name on them. Granted, this is sometimes rare, but happens. The manufacturers of the pads will sometimes produce pads without the "brand" name on them and sell them thru another distributor/etc.
For example, I got a couple of USB TV - AM/FM tuner devices for computers that were sold by a guy on eBay who got them from the manufacturer that produced them for Hauppauge. They were the EXACT same on the inside (you could even use the Hauppauge drivers/software for em). :}
For example, I got a couple of USB TV - AM/FM tuner devices for computers that were sold by a guy on eBay who got them from the manufacturer that produced them for Hauppauge. They were the EXACT same on the inside (you could even use the Hauppauge drivers/software for em). :}
fashoinfightpause
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Ultramix 1 Is Good
I'd like to recommend the seller vortz_inc, which may or may not be the same as hydragames. The pads are just a little cheaper than Hydragames's, but they're exactly the same. These dance pads are absolutely identical (other than the brand label) to the LevelSix / BNS dance pads and the best bang for the buck out of all the dance pads, from what I've heard.
As for Ultramix 1 versus Ultramix 2 - after spending three months with Ultramix 2, I'm gonna have to recommend the sequel. Lots more options, lots more multiplayer, and a few more songs.
As for Ultramix 1 versus Ultramix 2 - after spending three months with Ultramix 2, I'm gonna have to recommend the sequel. Lots more options, lots more multiplayer, and a few more songs.
I've had a good experience with Vortz as well. Don't cheap out on the pad, it's the key part of the experience (right now I use a Red Octane Metal), and I've found cheap pads to become very frustrating, very fast.
If you're only able to get one mix, Ultramix 2 (assuming XBox is the only way you can go) is the best of the two, but with Ultramix 1 at $20 MSRP, you can tend to find it on the cheap, especially with coupons or pre-owned copies.
If you're only able to get one mix, Ultramix 2 (assuming XBox is the only way you can go) is the best of the two, but with Ultramix 1 at $20 MSRP, you can tend to find it on the cheap, especially with coupons or pre-owned copies.
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