Just Dance 2020 is a 2019 dance rhythm game developed and published by Ubisoft. It is the eleventh main installment of the Just Dance series, following Just Dance 2019, and was a celebration of the series' tenth anniversary. The game was originally released on November 5, 2019 for Nintendo Switch, Wii, PlayStation 4, Xbox One and Stadia.[1][2] It was the final title in the main Just Dance series released on the Wii console — the platform where the series made its debut in 2009 — as well as the final Wii video game released physically in North America.

Just Dance 2020
Developer(s)
Publisher(s)Ubisoft
SeriesJust Dance
EngineUbiArt Framework
Platform(s)
Release
  • WW: November 5, 2019
  • JP: March 12, 2020
  • CHN: December 24, 2020
Genre(s)Music
Mode(s)

Development and release

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It was unveiled on June 10, 2019, during its E3 press conference.[3]

The game was exclusively released on the Nintendo Switch in Japan on March 12, 2020,[4] and in China on December 24, 2020, in the latter of which the game is simply titled Just Dance.[5]

Just Dance 2020 is the final Wii video game released physically in North America. It was reported in 2020 that Nintendo of America was no longer able to physically distribute Wii video games in that region because some of its departments could no longer retrieve the necessary equipment to do so.[6] Consequently, this was the final video game in the main Just Dance series released on the Wii console, the platform where the series made its debut in 2009. By extension, this was the final Wii video game published by Ubisoft, the final Just Dance game released on a seventh-generation console, and the final Just Dance game available on a Nintendo optical disc.

Gameplay

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As with the previous installments of the franchise, players must mimic the on-screen dancer's choreography to a chosen song using either motion controllers (excluding Stadia) or the game's associated smartphone app (except on the Nintendo Wii). The Stadia version also allows the use of a gamepad and a keyboard for menu navigation.

While the Wii version is based on Just Dance 2015, with the exclusion of the game's online features (the "Just Dance Wall" feature, the "challenge" feature, and the "World Dance Floor" mode), the game's user interface and features in the current gen and Stadia versions are largely identical to Just Dance 2019, with the addition of a new "All Stars" mode commemorating the franchise's tenth anniversary (which features a playlist of eleven songs: "Hot n Cold (Chick Version)" from Just Dance, "Rasputin" from Just Dance 2, "California Gurls" from Just Dance 3, "You're the First, the Last, My Everything" from Just Dance 4, "Starships" from Just Dance 2014, "Built for This" from Just Dance 2015, "Chiwawa" from Just Dance 2016, "Lean On" from Just Dance 2017, "Swish Swish" from Just Dance 2018, "Bang Bang Bang" from Just Dance 2019, and "High Hopes" from Just Dance 2020).[7] The story of this mode follows the Panda on a trip across eleven planets aboard the "dance party bus", as he brings over coaches from each aforementioned song featured in previous installments of the series to throw a dance party at the coliseum in the final planet. In the ending, the Reindeer jumped into the party via his ship, as another dance party was found on another galaxy, as they head towards the ship and sets off. Completing the mode will unlock "High Hopes" in Just Dance mode, which is also unlocked by entering a secret code before completing it. Co-op mode, returning from Just Dance 2016 and Just Dance 2017, has been revamped, using its traditional scoring system, allowing players to earn stars as a team. On February 28, 2023, the "All Stars" mode was taken offline, making the code method the only option to unlock "High Hopes".[8]

The Chinese version of the game does not feature the traditional karaoke-styled lyrics and is instead replaced with scrolling lyrics that are translated to Chinese, even when in Kids Mode and the "World Dance Floor" mode, which is only matched with players across China in the Chinese version instead of being matched with players across the world in the International version. The Just Dance Unlimited service for the Chinese version is different than the international version, but it can't be used between both versions, as they are separate versions of the service. Furthermore, online multiplayer is added as an exclusive feature to the Chinese version to coincide with the release of Just Dance 2023 Edition. Unlike the said game, it's played in public parties of up to six players in custom playlists. However, the Chinese version's menu design is based on the current installment of the main series (up into Just Dance 2022), which changes alongside its release, albeit with seasonal events, which temporary replaces it with a special menu design based on the current seasonal event. Starting from Season 7, the Sweat Mode is removed and it's instead replaced with an optional built-in kCal tracker shown below the player's name. The "Double Rumble" routines from Just Dance 2018 are playable in the Chinese version within Just Dance Unlimited and don't require a second Joy-Con, therefore using the traditional gameplay.

Soundtrack

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The following songs appear on Just Dance 2020:[9][10][11]

Song Artist Year
"7 Rings"[a] Ariana Grande 2019
"365" Zedd and Katy Perry 2019
"Always Look on the Bright Side of Life"[b] The Frankie Bostello Orchestra (as made famous by Monty Python) 1979
"Baby Shark" Pinkfong 2015
"Bad Boy" Riton and Kah-Lo 2018
"Bad Guy" Billie Eilish 2019
"Bangarang" Skrillex featuring Sirah 2012
"Bassa Sababa" Netta 2019
"Con Altura" Rosalía and J Balvin featuring El Guincho 2019
"Con Calma" Daddy Yankee featuring Snow 2019
"Coolest Ethnic"[c][d] Phoenix Legend 2009
"Everybody (Backstreet's Back)" Millennium Alert (as made famous by Backstreet Boys) 1997
"Fancy" Twice 2019
"Fancy Footwork"[e] Chromeo 2007
"Fit but You Know It"[e] The Streets 2004
"Get Busy"[f] Koyotie 2019
"God Is a Woman" Ariana Grande 2018
"High Hopes"[g] Panic! at the Disco 2018
"Hot Pot Cool"[h][i] Aya Liu 2014
"I Am the Best" 2NE1 2011
"I Don't Care" Ed Sheeran and Justin Bieber 2019
"I Like It"[e] Cardi B, Bad Bunny and J Balvin 2018
"Infernal Gallop (Can-Can)"[j] The Just Dance Orchestra (as made famous by Jacques Offenbach) 1858
"Into the Unknown"[k] Idina Menzel featuring Aurora (credited as Disney's Frozen 2) 2019
"Just an Illusion" Equinox Stars (as made famous by Imagination) 1982
"Keep In Touch" JD McCrary 2019
"Kill This Love"[l][j] Blackpink 2019
"Le Bal Masqué" Dr. Creole (as made famous by La Compagnie Créole) 1984
"Ma Itū" Stella Mwangi 2019
"My New Swag"[m] Vava featuring Ty. and Nina Wang 2017
"Old Town Road (Remix)"[n] Lil Nas X featuring Billy Ray Cyrus 2019
"Policeman" Eva Simons featuring Konshens 2015
"Princess"[o][i] Jam Hsiao 2009
"Rain Over Me" Pitbull featuring Marc Anthony 2011
"Rainbow Beats"[p][i][j] Yi Yan/Zhao Fang Jing/Suika Kune/Feizaojun 2020
"Skibidi" Little Big 2018
"Só Depois do Carnaval" Lexa 2019
"Soy Yo" Bomba Estéreo 2015
"Stop Movin'" Royal Republic 2019
"Sushi" Merk & Kremont 2018
"Taki Taki" DJ Snake featuring Selena Gomez, Ozuna and Cardi B 2018
"Talk"[l] Khalid 2019
"Tel Aviv"[q] Omer Adam featuring Arisa 2013
"The Time (Dirty Bit)" The Black Eyed Peas 2010
"Ugly Beauty"[r] Jolin Tsai 2018
"Vodovorot" XS Project 2011
  1. ^ Previously exclusive to Just Dance Unlimited in Just Dance 2019 from October 17, 2019 to October 24, 2019
  2. ^ Only available on 8th-generation consoles and Stadia; exclusive to Just Dance Unlimited in the Chinese version
  3. ^ Also known as "Zui Xun Min Zu Feng"
  4. ^ Originally exclusive to China's Just Dance Unlimited servers, but has since been available on the main soundtrack of the Chinese version of the game; only playable with an internet connection
  5. ^ a b c Exclusive to Just Dance Unlimited in the Chinese version
  6. ^ Can be unlocked using a secret code; available on main soundtrack for Wii
  7. ^ Can be unlocked after completing it in "All Stars" mode or by using a secret code; available on main soundtrack for Wii
  8. ^ Also known as "Huo Guo Shuang"
  9. ^ a b c Only available in the Chinese version
  10. ^ a b c Also available on the demo for the Chinese version
  11. ^ Only playable on 8th-generation consoles and Stadia with an internet connection; exclusive to Just Dance Unlimited in the Chinese version
  12. ^ a b Also available on the demo version
  13. ^ Also known in the Chinese version as "Wo De Xin Yi"
  14. ^ Also available as a bonus song for the demo version for Xfinity customers, alongside "Let's Groove" from Just Dance 2016
  15. ^ Also known as "Wang Fei"
  16. ^ Also known as "Cai Hong Jie Pai"
  17. ^ Not available in the Saudi Arabian and Iraqi versions
  18. ^ Also known in the Chinese version as "Guai Mei De"

Kris Wu's "Big Bowl Thick Noodle" (also known as "Da Wan Kuan Mian") was included in initial pressings of the Chinese version of the game, but was removed shortly after its alternate version was released on China's Just Dance Unlimited servers due to sexual assault allegations against the artist.[12][13] Following this, Phoenix Legend's "Coolest Ethnic" (also known as "Zui Xun Min Zu Feng"), which was previously exclusive to China's Just Dance Unlimited servers from February 5, 2021, was made available for free indefinitely.

Kids Mode

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The following songs appear on the Kids Mode of the game:

Song Artist Year
"Baby Shark" Pinkfong 2015
"Freeze Please" The Just Dance School 2019
"Happy Birthday" Top Culture 1893
"Into the Unknown"[a] Idina Menzel featuring Aurora (credited as Disney's Frozen 2) 2019
"Jungle Dances" The Sunlight Shakers 2019
"Kitchen Kittens" Cooking Meow Meow 2019
"Magical Morning" The Just Dance Orchestra 2019
"Mini Yo School" Dancing Bros. 2019
"My Friend the Dragon" The Just Dance Orchestra 2019
"The Frog Concert" Groove Century 2019
  1. ^ Only playable on 8th-generation consoles and Stadia with an internet connection; exclusive to Just Dance Unlimited in the Chinese version

Note: With the exception of "Into the Unknown", these songs also can be played on Wii.

Just Dance Unlimited

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Just Dance Unlimited continues to be offered on 2020 for eighth-generation consoles, featuring a streaming library of new and existing songs.[14] The service also made its debut on Stadia with the release of 2020.

Songs exclusive to Just Dance Unlimited include:

Song Artist Year Release date
"Djadja"[a] Aya Nakamura 2018 November 5, 2019 (France)
December 5, 2019 (Worldwide)
"10.000 luchtballonnen"[b] K3 2015 November 5, 2019 (Benelux region)
December 23, 2019 (Worldwide)
"Spinning"[c] Monatik 2016 November 5, 2019 (Russia)
December 23, 2019 (Worldwide)
"Panini"[d] Lil Nas X 2019 December 19, 2019
"Sucker"[d] Jonas Brothers 2019 January 16, 2020
"Don't Call Me Up"[d] Mabel 2019 January 23, 2020
"1999"[d] Charli XCX and Troye Sivan 2018 January 30, 2020
"Woman Like Me"[e] Little Mix featuring Nicki Minaj 2018 May 14, 2020
"EZ Do Dance"[f] TRF 1993 May 20, 2020 (Japan)
"X"[e] Nicky Jam and J Balvin 2018 May 20, 2020
"Boys" (Alternate)[e] Lizzo 2018 May 28, 2020
"Hype"[15][g] Dizzee Rascal and Calvin Harris 2016 July 23, 2020
"La Respuesta"[h][15][g] Becky G and Maluma 2019 July 30, 2020
"Crayon"[15][g] G-Dragon 2012 August 6, 2020
"White Noise"[g] Disclosure featuring AlunaGeorge 2013 August 13, 2020
  1. ^ Also available as a French-exclusive track on the soundtrack
  2. ^ Also available as a Benelux region-exclusive track on the soundtrack
  3. ^ Also available as a Russian-exclusive track on the soundtrack
  4. ^ a b c d Season 1: Winter Wonderland
  5. ^ a b c Season 2: Feel The Power
  6. ^ Previously appeared in Just Dance Wii U
  7. ^ a b c d Season 3: Virtual Paradise
  8. ^ Originally meant to be in the main tracklist

Chinese servers

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Songs exclusive to the Chinese version of Just Dance Unlimited include:

Song Artist Year Release Date
"All You Gotta Do (Is Just Dance)" (Chinese Version)[a] The Just Dance Band 2017 December 24, 2020 (Classic)
July 16, 2021 (Alternate)
June 10, 2022 (Simple)
"Beir Shuang"[b] Wowkie Zhang 2014 February 5, 2021
"Xiao Ji Xiao Ji"[c][d] Wang Rong Rollin 2014 February 5, 2021
"Let's Party"[e] Wu Xuanyi 2021 April 30, 2021
"Jiu Ge"[f] Hanggai 2007 July 16, 2021
"Qing Chun Zai Zhao Huan"[g][h] Adidas Neo & Just Dance 2021 August 27, 2021
"Gong Xi Gong Xi"[i] The Just Dance Band (as made famous by Yao Lee and Yao Min) 1945 January 21, 2022
"Xiao Chou"[j] Wilber Pan 2014 January 21, 2022
"Gorgeous Diva" Monki 2022 January 21, 2022
"Little Apple"[k][l] Chopstick Brothers 2014 January 21, 2022
"Ai"[m] The Just Dance Band (as made famous by Xiao Hu Dui) 1991 January 21, 2022
"Dare to Live"[n] Trady 2021 April 8, 2022
"Gee" Girls' Generation 2009 June 10, 2022
"Gokuraku Jodo" Garnidelia 2016 June 10, 2022
"Ugly Beauty"[o] (Alternate) Jolin Tsai 2018 June 10, 2022
"Bailemen Swing"[p] Shanghai Restoration Project featuring Zhang Le 2015 September 29, 2022
"Tu Zi Wu"[q] Gelato 1997 January 16, 2023
"Shi Wo De Yi Da"[r][s] Zhang Yanqi, Veegee Xu Ruoqiao and Zhao Rui 2023 April 28, 2023
"Dancing Diva"[k][t] The Girly Team (as made famous by Jolin Tsai) 2006 June 9, 2023
"Señorita" (VIP Alternate) Shawn Mendes and Camila Cabello 2019 June 23, 2023
"If You Wanna Party" (Chinese Version)[u] The Just Dancers 2022 December 2023
  1. ^ Chinese-language version of a song that previously appeared in Just Dance 2018, which is also known as "Wu Li Quan Kai"
  2. ^ Also known as "Cool Times (So Good)"
  3. ^ Also known as "Chick Chick"
  4. ^ Also appeared in Just Dance: Vitality School, a former Chinese version of Just Dance Now
  5. ^ Tie-in to the Chinese version of PUBG Mobile known as Game for Peace (also known as Peacekeeper Elite) in celebration of the game's 2nd anniversary.
  6. ^ Also known as "Drinking Song"
  7. ^ Also known as "Youth is Calling"
  8. ^ Tie-in to Adidas Neo in China
  9. ^ Released to celebrate Chinese New Year; available only during the Chinese New Year celebration.
  10. ^ Also known as "Clown"
  11. ^ a b Also appeared in the Chinese version of Just Dance 2015
  12. ^ Also known as "Xiao Ping Guo"
  13. ^ Also known as "Love"
  14. ^ Tie-in to the 2021 Summer World University Games
  15. ^ Also known as "Guai Mei De"
  16. ^ Also known as "Paramount Swing"
  17. ^ Also known as "Penguin's Game"
  18. ^ Also known as "It's My Orbit"
  19. ^ Tie in with Orbit in China
  20. ^ Also known as "Wu Niang"
  21. ^ Chinese-language version of a song that previously appeared in Just Dance 2023 Edition, which is also known as "Wu Li Pai Dui", which is also available in the Demo version from late December 2023 to early January 2024 to celebrate its 3rd anniversary.

Reception

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Sales

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Just Dance 2020 debuted at #15 in the UK, with the Nintendo Switch version accounting for 55% of sales, followed by the Nintendo Wii at 21%, PlayStation 4 at 14%, and the Xbox One at 10%.[16] The Nintendo Switch version of the game debuted at #3 in Taiwan, while the PlayStation 4 version debuted at #4 in South Korea.[17] In Japan, the Switch version sold 2,533 copies during its first week of release, which made it the 26th bestselling retail game of the week.[18]

Awards

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The game was nominated for "Best Family/Social Game" at the 2019 Titanium Awards,[19] and for "Best Game-as-a-Service" at the Pégases Awards 2020.[20]

References

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  1. ^ Lumb, David (June 10, 2019). "The Nintendo Wii is still getting new games at E3 2019". TechRadar. Archived from the original on October 26, 2020. Retrieved June 10, 2019.
  2. ^ "Just Dance 2020 release date and trailer revealed". GameRevolution. June 10, 2019. Archived from the original on November 12, 2020. Retrieved June 10, 2019.
  3. ^ "JUST DANCE 2020 ANNOUNCED DURING UBISOFT E3 CONFERENCE - E3 2019". IGN. June 10, 2019. Archived from the original on November 12, 2020. Retrieved June 10, 2019.
  4. ^ "ジャストダンス2020". Nintendo Japan. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved February 13, 2020.
  5. ^ "舞力全开". Nintendo China. Archived from the original on May 16, 2021. Retrieved May 16, 2021.
  6. ^ Klepek, Patrick (July 10, 2020). "Why This Developer Is Releasing a New Wii Game in 2020". Vice. Archived from the original on January 25, 2023. Retrieved July 11, 2020.
  7. ^ "Just Dance 2020 Review". ScreenRant. November 15, 2019. Archived from the original on June 26, 2020. Retrieved April 8, 2020.
  8. ^ "All Stars Mode in Just Dance 2020". Ubisoft. February 22, 2023. Retrieved February 28, 2023.
  9. ^ "No joke, Just Dance 2020 is coming to Nintendo Wii". Destructoid. June 10, 2019. Archived from the original on August 8, 2020. Retrieved June 10, 2019.
  10. ^ Apsey, Joe (August 20, 2019). "Just Dance 2020 Gamescom Songs Announced, Includes The Black Eyed Peas, Katy Perry, And More". PlayStation Universe. Archived from the original on August 20, 2019. Retrieved August 20, 2019.
  11. ^ "Just Dance 2020 Gets Three More Track Previews". GoNintendo. September 30, 2019. Archived from the original on October 26, 2020. Retrieved October 3, 2019.
  12. ^ "舞力全开的动态-哔哩哔哩". Bilibili (in Chinese). Retrieved July 22, 2021.
  13. ^ "Brands drop Chinese-Canadian star Kris Wu over sex allegations". BBC. Archived from the original on September 28, 2022. Retrieved July 22, 2021.
  14. ^ "Grab A Free Month Of Just Dance Unlimited, Unlocking 500+ Songs". GameSpot. Archived from the original on April 21, 2020. Retrieved April 16, 2020.
  15. ^ a b c Just Dance (July 13, 2020). Just Dance Unlimited: Virtual Paradise: Season 3 | Trailer | Ubisoft [US] (Trailer). Archived from the original on September 4, 2020. Retrieved July 12, 2020 – via YouTube.
  16. ^ Dring, Christopher (November 10, 2019). "UK Charts: Death Stranding is the second biggest PS4 launch of 2019". GamesIndustry.biz. Archived from the original on November 12, 2019. Retrieved November 12, 2019.
  17. ^ Sam (November 16, 2019). "MediaCreate 11 月 4 日~11 月 10 日一週銷售排行榜 《死亡擱淺》奪日台韓三地榜首". 巴哈姆特電玩資訊站. Archived from the original on November 18, 2019. Retrieved November 18, 2019.
  18. ^ Romano, Sal (March 18, 2020). "Famitsu Sales: 3/9/20 – 3/15/20 [Update]". Gematsu. Archived from the original on March 23, 2020. Retrieved March 23, 2020.
  19. ^ "Titanium Awards 2019". Fun & Serious Game Festival. March 9, 2017. Archived from the original on November 21, 2019. Retrieved November 27, 2019.
  20. ^ "All the categories (2020)". Pégases Awards. February 7, 2020. Retrieved March 5, 2020.
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