Review: Kidz Bop Dance Party! The Video Game

Product Description: KIDZ BOP, the #1 music brand for kids ages 5-12 in the U.S., has teamed up with D3Publisher to launch KIDZ BOP Dance Party! The Video Game -- the first-ever video game based on the chart-topping music franchise. Available exclusively for Wii this fall, KIDZ BOP Dance Party! The Video Game features 24 of the biggest KIDZ BOP dance hits, including "Get the Party Started," "Fire Burning" and "Thriller." Players can customize their own in-game character and mix and match outfits and accessories for a truly unique look. Five different gameplay modes: Free Play, Challenge, Dance Off, Shop and Dress-Up, will extend the dance party for hours. Players can dance solo, team-up with a friend to dance together in 2 Player Challenge mode, or go head-to-head in Dance Off mode to compete for top score. Kids are encouraged to succeed with no penalty for errors or missteps as they receive helpful dance tips and tricks from KIDZ BOP Kids, Dana and Valerie, to pull off sensational dance moves to become the next KIDZ BOP star! -- D3Publisher

A few weeks ago, our family received a big box with a warning label attached. It said CAUTION: The Contents of this Package May make you Dance your Heart Out!!! Of course, we couldn't resist and tore the box open to find a copy of KIDZ BOP Dance Party! The Video Game , as well as some glow-stix, a mini disco ball and some Chex Mix! Do I even need to tell you how excited my kids were?

Since we've opened the package, my 11 year old daughter and 6 year old son have spent many hours playing this video game. They absolutely love it and couldn't wait to share it with me. I've been hearing about how terrific the game is for weeks now, but I finally decided to take the plunge and see what they were talking about. I have to say -- they were totally right. KIDZ BOP Dance Party! The Video Game for Wii is pure family fun!

Of course, it's probably to be expected that my daughter, who dances six hours a week, appreciates it a little bit more than my son. However, I was pleasantly surprised by how much he wants to play the game too. He's not quite 'the natural' that my daughter is, but he's also five years younger and a little less coordinated. As a mother, I love that he doesn't get frustrated with the game because it doesn't penalize him for missed moves. In fact, just the opposite -- it encourages him by saying "almost." The game also offers a two-player mode where both participants play (and gain points) at the same time. I've found that this mode works best for my two kids because it eliminates the competition and focuses on teamwork.

There are a lot of elements to KIDZ BOP Dance Party! The Video Game so kids can stay entertained for as long as you want! There are many different modes of dance activities, and you don't need a dance pad or Nunchuk -- just the Wii remote. I found most of the moves to be pretty simple (of course, I was playing on the easy mode), but I think even young kids will be able to feel a sense of accomplishment playing this video game. For the most part, I found the songs and dances were catchy; and I have to say that I did get a bit of a workout -- my arms actually got a little fatigued! In addition to dancing to 24 different KIDZ BOP songs (new songs open as you complete each level), kids can create and customize their own dance character. As the play accumulates more points for their dance movies, he or she can shop for new outfits, costumes and accessories.

Our family loves KIDZ BOP Dance Party! The Video Game for Wii,  but there are other products in this line available for the holidays. There is a KIDZ BOP Dance Party! CD which includes 12 of the most popular KIDZ BOP Dance tracks and a KIDZ BOP Dance Moves DVD. If you know any kids like mine, then these products are guaranteed to keep them entertained for hours. And since all of the songs are sung ‘by kids for kids’ with family friendly lyrics, parents don't have to worry about inappropriate language or content.

I had a blast playing KIDZ BOP Dance Party! The Video Game, but my kids enjoy it even more than I do -- you might say they are totally addicted. They want to play it together (how fantastic is that?) all of the time and they are constantly singing the songs even when they aren't playing the game! I pretty much think that's one of the best recommendations you can get for a kids' product!

Featured Music:

* Party In the USA
* Fire Burning
* Let It Rock
* Paparazzi
* Don't Stop the Music
* Hot N Cold
* Disturbia
* Say Hey (I Love You)
* Ice Cream & Guacamole
* Thriller
* Evacuate the Dancefloor
* Take You There

* All Star (Dance Mix)
* Circus
* Since U Been Gone
* Live Your Life
* 1985
* Girlfriend
* Axel F (The Frog Song)
* Crazy In Love
* Hey Ya!
* Chicken Noodle Soup
* Kidz Bop Shuffle
* Get the Party Started

Thanks to D3Publisher and fortyseven communications for providing us with a copy of this Wii game.