MC Groovz Dance Craze

Infobox VG| title = MC Groovz Dance Craze


developer = Mad Catz
publisher = Mad Catz
designer =
engine =
released = November 22 2004
genre = Rhythm / Dancing
modes = Single player, Multiplayer
ratings = ESRB: E
platforms = GameCube
media =
requirements =
input = MC Groovz Dance Craze is a rhythm game for the Nintendo GameCube and is compatable with the Nintendo Wii, developed and published by Mad Catz, Inc. The game is a Dance Dance Revolution clone which came bundled with Mad Catz' Beat Pad accessory. The game was originally announced via a press release on November 2, 2004. [http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=69024&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=639311&highlight= Mad Catz to Publish 'MC Groovz Dance Craze' Dance Game] ]

Gameplay

As mentioned above, the game is a Dance Dance Revolution clone. There are two main gameplay modes: Scroll and Spin. In Scroll mode, you play by stepping on four different directions on the game pad (right, up, down and left) as the arrows scroll towards four icons at the top of the screen.

Spin mode, however, allows you to step on eight directions. The arrows gravitate towards the icons in the screen from the center. In Easy mode, you only step on four arrows. Moderate and Expert increase the number of arrows to eight. [http://www.gamefaqs.com/console/gamecube/review/R82943.html Review at GameFAQs by clarkisdark, originally posted on 12/28/04] ] The songs are also longer than other dance games, often lasting around seven minutes. [http://www.gamespot.com/gamecube/puzzle/mcgroovzdancecraze/review.html MC Groovz Dance Craze for GameCube Review at GameSpot] ]

The game also includes three extra modes of play: Dance Workout mode, which lets you see how many calories you've burned while playing the game; Dance Together, a two player co-op dance mode; and Dance Faceoff, a two-player versus mode. [http://www.gamefaqs.com/console/gamecube/review/R82943.html Review at GameFAQs by clarkisdark, originally posted on 12/28/04] ]

Features

The game features a total of 28 songs, including several licensed songs from original artists such as KC and the Sunshine Band, Earth, Wind & Fire, Jewel, Jessica Simpson, and DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince.

Reception

The game received very low review scores. GameSpot gave it a score of 2.9 [http://www.gamespot.com/gamecube/puzzle/mcgroovzdancecraze/review.html MC Groovz Dance Craze for GameCube Review at GameSpot] ] , while IGN gave it a 2.7 rating, calling it a "... broken GameCube game." [http://cube.ign.com/articles/610/610670p1.html IGN: MC Groovz Dance Craze review, posted on May 5, 2005] ] . It holds an average score of 42 at Metacritic [http://www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/cube/mcgroovzdancecraze Metacritic MC Groovz Dance Craze page] ] , and an average score of 48% at GameRankings. [http://www.gamerankings.com/htmlpages2/925159.asp GameRankings' MC Groovz Dance Craze page] ]

Lawsuit

On May 9 2005, Konami filed a complaint against Roxor Games claiming an infringement of rights related to their dance game product In the Groove. [http://www.konami.co.jp/en/news/topics/050511/index.html Konami seeks an injunction and damages against the manufacture and distribution of dance simulation game "In The Groove".] ] On July 1, 2005, the complaint was amended to include MC Groovz Dance Craze. [http://www.konami.co.jp/en/news/topics/050706/index.html Konami expands scope of its litigation against dance game developers and distributors in the U.S.] ] The aforementioned lawsuit was settled on November 1, 2006. The exact terms of the settlement were not mentioned in the press release. [http://www.konami.co.jp/en/news/topics/061101/index.html Settlement of the Patent Litigation against Mad Catz, Inc.] ]

References