Just Dance Kids 2014
| Just Dance Kids 2014 | |
|---|---|
 North American Xbox 360 box art | |
| Developer | Ubisoft Osaka |
| Publisher | Ubisoft |
| Director | Jeremy Haft |
| Producer | Nao Higo |
| Composers | Tom Zehnder, Jeff Lopas, Emiliano Almeida, Brian Hazard, Matt Myers |
| Series | Just Dance |
| Platforms | Wii, Wii U, Xbox 360 |
| Release | |
| Genres | Music, Rhythm |
| Modes | Single player, multiplayer |
Just Dance Kids 2014 is a 2013 video game for the Wii, Wii U and Kinect for Xbox 360.[1] It is the 13th game released as a part of Ubisoft's Just Dance franchise and the third and final installment produced for the Just Dance Kids spin-off series. Like its predecessors, Just Dance Kids 2014 is a dance-based music game with an emphasis on songs that are popular with children.[2] The game includes original music designed for children, popular music appropriate for children, and music from children's media and nursery rhymes. This edition was released on October 22, 2013 in North America, October 24, 2013 in Australia, and October 25, 2013 in Europe and contains 31 songs. The game was directed by Jeremy Haft[3] and the original music was provided by Boston Soundlabs, with David Ortega serving as executive music producer.[4][5]
Gameplay
Just Dance Kids 2014 features the same gameplay mechanics as the rest of Ubisoft's Just Dance franchise. Players receive points by copying on-screen actors' dance moves to the beat of the music to complete a dance routine. As the players dance, animated score icons appear on screen to evaluate each movement based on accuracy. The on-screen actors seen in Just Dance Kids 2014 are real dancers wearing more conservative clothing or costumes compared to the original series.[6] Depending on which device the game is played on, Just Dance Kids 2014 can be played with motion controllers using the Wii Remote or motion cameras using the Xbox 360 Kinect. The Kinect motion sensing camera allows the dancers to be scored on full body movement, rather than one handed movement tracked by the Wii Remote. Kinect also provides a playback option that allows the player to watch their performance after they have completed the routine.[6]
Track listing
Reception
Ratings
Just Dance Kids 2014 received an E rating for mild lyrics by ESRB, as opposed to the original series' rating of E10+.[1] While songs, dance moves, and visuals are targeted to younger audiences, the song "Day-O (The Banana Boat Song)" mentions rum in the lyrics.[8]
Reviews
Just Dance Kids 2014 includes 31 songs that would appeal to older children, but remain appropriate for a younger crowd. There are more limited features and the song list cannot be expanded. However, according to game reviews, Just Dance Kids 2014 is recommended for families to play together.[8] Nintendo Life rates Just Dance Kids 2014 "Good", with a 7 out of 10 stars, scoring it above average among other games of the same genre.[9]
Academic Research
Academics have studied the effects of fitness games, including Just Dance Kids 2014, on children's fitness. While active video games increase children's physical activity, one study found that when children enjoyed the game, playing it over time eventually led to decreased physical activity intensity. However, they still maintained positive attitudes and achieved similar fitness levels regardless of feedback from the game.[10]
Awards and nominations
In 2014, the game was nominated for a British Academy Children's Award.[11] It was nominated for the BAFTA Kids' Vote category for Best Video Game, but lost to Minecraft.[12]
Continuation
Just Dance Kids 2014 was the final installment produced for the Just Dance Kids series, however, the Just Dance franchise continued to market the children's and family audiences. Just Dance games released from 2017 to 2021 feature a separate gameplay option called Kids Mode, which is available on Just Dance 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022. Kids Mode, like Just Dance Kids, contains music and choreography adapted for children, designed by development experts to encourage promote active and healthy movement.[13] As opposed to the games' primary scoring system, which uses words like "good" or "perfect" when evaluating dance moves, Kids Mode uses words such as "haha", "yay" and "wow". In Kids Mode, players cannot receive rewards, mojos, XP, or compete in challenges.[13]
References
- 1 2 "Just Dance Kids 2014". Entertainment Software Rating Board. Retrieved 10 May 2023.
- ↑ "Just Dance Kids 2014". IGN. Retrieved 10 May 2023.
- ↑ Haft, Jeremy (2013-10-22), Just Dance Kids 2014 (Family), Jacob Landgrebe, Josh Killacky, Mark Ysaguirre, MRB Productions, Ubisoft Osaka, Ubisoft Reflections, retrieved 2024-12-03
- ↑ "Just Dance Kids 2014 - Credits". IGDB.com. Retrieved 2024-12-03.
- ↑ "Complete Game Audio Post-Production & Consulting - Li & Ortega". liortega. Retrieved 2022-02-02.
- 1 2 "Video game review: 'Just Dance 2014' and 'Just Dance Kids 2014'". Deseret News. 2013-11-21. Retrieved 2024-12-03.
- ↑ "Color Theory in Just Dance Kids 2014". colortheory.com. Archived from the original on 2013-11-09.
- 1 2 "Just Dance Kids 2014 Game Review | Common Sense Media". www.commonsensemedia.org. Retrieved 2024-12-03.
- ↑ "Review: Just Dance Kids 2014 (Wii U)". Nintendo Life. 2013-11-03. Retrieved 2024-12-03.
- ↑ Chen, Han; Sun, Haichun (2017). "The Effects of Active Videogame Feedback and Practicing Experience on Children's Physical Activity Intensity and Enjoyment". Games for Health Journal. 6 (4): 200–204. doi:10.1089/g4h.2017.0027. ISSN 2161-783X. PMID 28816512.
- ↑ Just Dance Kids 2014 (Video Game 2013) - Awards - IMDb. Retrieved 2024-12-03 – via www.imdb.com.
- ↑ "Children's". Bafta. Retrieved 2024-12-03.
- 1 2 "Kids Mode in Just Dance 2018 and Just Dance 2019". www.ubisoft.com. Retrieved 2024-12-03.
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