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Out of all the yearly franchises I’m always glad to see around, Just Dance is one of them. Its playlists and new choreographies never disappoint, whether you want to have fun alone, with friends, or to lead a more active lifestyle. But there is always a double-edged sword in games that launch annually, making us wonder whether each subsequent release truly offers substantial improvements. While Just Dance 2026 Edition features a great playlist and a lot of moves many of you will want to try, I’m not sure if the same HUD, systems, and lack of new QoL features justify another yearly purchase.
Just Bring Your Cell Phone
Many of us already know about the evolution of the Just Dance series. What began as a game that required us to buy extra accessories to play, such as the Kinect, has evolved into something more accessible, requiring only our phones. It isn’t bad, mind you, especially if we look at the differences between the 2024 and 2025 editions. Those two entries didn’t include many titles that fully utilized the Camera Controller feature. In that regard, Just Dance 2026 Edition is several dance steps ahead.
Last year, when I reviewed the 2025 edition, I couldn’t help but get tired of having my phone in my hand all the time while dancing. With this new iteration, Just Dance has made dancing more accessible, as you can just put your phone down, aim it at your body, and have it register your moves. However, it comes with some technical baggage, per se. For starters, it only works in vast areas. I had to rearrange some of my furniture to fit the frame and use the Camera Controller correctly. It isn’t something bad or deal-breaking, but keep that in mind if you have a tight dancing space at home.
While the Camera Controller is now fully functional, it is the only noteworthy addition to the game. You can still use your phone as a controller if you prefer, which is excellent for those with smaller spaces, but it is still the one system I have a love-hate relationship with.
On the one hand, I can’t deny its usefulness. Instead of dancing with my DualSense or having any other heavy accessory, I use my smartphone and start going through my playlist. On the other hand, it is still a bit unstable.
It’s very easy to lose the connection between the game and the app. Especially when you’re dancing, as you’re focused on doing the proper steps and not dropping your phone. In the heat of the moment, you may sometimes accidentally lock your phone. This will cause a disconnection, which you may or may not be able to fix quickly, but it doesn’t warn you or pause due to the disconnection. If that occurs, you’ll lose points and have to leave the stage to reconnect your phone. There should be an option for the app to remain active in the background or something similar.
On top of that, to add more steps to an already tedious technical waltz, you’ll always need a controller close by, since the mobile version doesn’t have all the options. For example, if you disconnect and then reconnect, there is no “Retry” option, forcing you to go to your platform’s controller to do all that there.
A Familiar Face
Since the most recent editions, Just Dance has implemented a HUD with various classifications. This is very useful for finding the genre of music you prefer more easily, for finding songs from previous versions, and for those looking for a greater challenge with Extreme songs. This is where Just Dance goes from being a great interactive game to a complete cardiovascular exercise routine. Also, the HUD once again includes “Sweat” mode, which players can activate to track time and calories burned while dancing to their favorite songs.
Yet, compared to the 2025 edition, the Just Dance 2026 Edition has not made any significant changes to its systems or interface. What it did add was “Party” mode, a game mode that lets you choose 10, 20, or 30 rounds. In each round, Dr. Gigavolt will play a random song, and you must score at least 70% to advance to the next round. But it’s not just about dancing well, as Dr. Gigavolt will activate interference that will prevent you from seeing the coaches perform the steps correctly. At other times, you will have to stop your steps to perform specific movements, such as clapping or standing still, to earn more points. The appeal of this game mode is that you can earn more experience and rewards, such as frames or medals, to customize your profile.
So even though there aren’t many changes in mechanics beyond Party Mode, at least Ubisoft is experimenting with more systems. Hopefully, they’ll continue to add other performance metrics.
Dance all Night
You can never go wrong with Just Dance, and the same goes for the new version. It’s always an excellent choice for playing with friends who enjoy dancing. Solo mode is also a lot of fun, even for those who want to start their New Year’s resolution to get in shape.
However, just like last year, there are still several issues, including a few missing connection options, such as some smart watches. While I loved the Just Dance 2026 Edition and will continue to play it as it is part of my daily exercise routine, each year a new iteration launches, making me wonder whether there’s anything noteworthy to justify a purchase. Hopefully, the 2027 Edition will revamp things because this franchise’s dance is nearing a stale point, yet not one that is hard to get out of.
Review copy provided by the Publisher.
Just Dance 2026 Edition (PS5 Reviewed)
It is undeniable that the incredible choreography and fun gameplay are what made Just Dance a hit. And although Just Dance 2026 Edition continues to apply this formula flawlessly, there are still systems that need polishing.
Pros
- Addition of Camera Controller for almost all new songs.
- Fun and experimental Party Mode.
Cons
- There is not much innovation in this edition, and the formula seems to be stagnant.
- They left behind systems that still need to be improved.
