Strategy & Sim Video Games

Ubisoft's hit dancing sim returns with a variety of upgrades and enhancements, more than 40 new songs, and a new two-player battle mode in Just Dance 4. As always, gamers grab their Wii Remote and dance along to popular music tracks while attempting to mimic onscreen prompts and earn high scores. The new two-player battle mode pits dancers against each other for six 40-second rounds, with the competition over when one dancer's health bar is depleted, while the "Just Sweat" mode has been expanded to include personalized programs and a calorie counter.

Classic Just Dance options like the "Duet" and "Mash-Up" modes return, and players can unlock new routines and up to six challenges for each song. Music selections in Just Dance 4 include songs from Barry White, P!nk, Rihanna, Will Smith, Nelly Furtado, and Flo Rida, with additional tracks available for download. ~ Christopher Brown, All Game Guide

Dancing queens (and kings) can join up to three friends to sing and strut their way through 26 of ABBA biggest hits in ABBA You Can Dance. Players can perform "Mamma Mia," "Fernando," and "Waterloo," among many other tracks, singing for fun or trying to earn high scores as they compete against friends. The "Mini-Musical" mode lets gamers progress through a story designed around ABBA's music, while the "Karaoke Mode" allows two additional players to get in on the action, and all modes offer classic photos, videos, and live concert footage of the band. ~ Christopher Brown, All Game Guide

The Black Eyed Peas Experience is a motion-controlled dancing game, featuring more than two dozen hits and fan-favorites from the demographically transcendent super-group. Following onscreen prompts, players go head-to-head against mo-capped re-creations of the four band members -- will.i.am, Fergie, apl.de.ap, and Taboo -- each in turn. As they play through the main mode, gamers learn individual steps and moves that are then combined into full routines. Multiple difficulty settings open the challenge to dancers at a range of ability levels, and two-player co-op is available. ~ T.J. Deci, All Game Guide

Ubisoft's Just Dance series shakes things up on all three contemporary motion-control gaming platforms in its third edition. Wii players can grab their controllers and return to the floor for more dance challenges and bop-along fun. Alone or with a couple friends, players dance to familiar songs, following the moves of neon-y onscreen characters. Just Dance 3 offers "Dance Crew," "Smart Shuffle," "Flash Mob," and "Dance Mashup" modes.

As in earlier games in the series, a "Just Sweat" exercise mode is also included, in this edition featuring an advanced workout program that can help track progress toward fitness goals. Players' dance moves can cause game world scenery to shake to the beat, for additional layer of interactivity. Musical selections include more than 40 Billboard hits and popular dance anthems from artists including a-ha, the Black Eyed Peas, Taio Cruz, Kiss, Gwen Stefani, and others. ~ T.J. Deci, All Game Guide

SouthPeak Interactive and Lightning Fish Games tap fitness buff and former Spice Girls member Mel B in attempt to showcase their motion-sensing technology in Get Fit With Mel B. Gamers can take on more than 100 different exercises spread across six aerobics disciplines as the svelte performer offers real-time advice and feedback during dance, cardio, step, pump and tone, and kickboxing activities. Get Fit With Mel B is fully compatible with the Wii Remote, Nunchuk, and Wii Balance Board, which means that players can see themselves in the action next to Mel B, and that the game recognizes outside exercise equipment such as fitballs, steps, and resistance bands. And for those looking for help with nutrition as well as exercise, Get Fit includes six meal plans and more than 140 recipes that can be tailored to match any particular fitness regime. ~ Christopher Brown, All Game Guide

Wii gamers who are feeling a little blue can shake it off by getting down (way down -- three-apples tall, to be exact) with The Smurfs Dance Party. The all-ages Ubisoft dance sim is inspired by the 2011 Sony Pictures feature film, based on the ubiquitously popular cartoon series and toy lines from the 1980s. With motion-sensitive controls, players can dance with Papa Smurf, Smurfette, Brainy, Gutsy, Gargamel, and other characters, to music and choreography in a selection of styles including rock, R&B, pop, and punk. Songs include Smurfy remakes of classics and contemporary hits. The game features more than 20 dance numbers, and as many as four players can move to the music together in the game's "Party" mode. ~ T.J. Deci, All Game Guide

Ubisoft's chart-topping Just Dance series continues with Just Dance: Summer Party, a budget-priced entry featuring 23 tracks previously available as downloadable content via Nintendo's WiiWare online service. Once again you'll follow real-life dance steps by watching an onscreen dancer perform with the music. Featured artists include Katy Perry, Panic At the Disco, Rihanna, the Supremes, and Steppenwolf. Dance to such songs as "Firework," "American Boy," "Barbie Girl," "Pon De Replay," "Nine in the Afternoon," "Here Comes the Hotstepper," "Mambo No. 5," "You Can't Hurry Love," "Born to Be Wild," and "Maniac." All of the play modes from Just Dance 2 are included in this standalone release, allowing players to engage in dance battles, burn some calories in the Just Sweat mode, and create their own dance party. ~ Scott Alan Marriott, All Game Guide

Konami's popular singing sim teams up with Fox's popular television series to offer 30 new songs to amateur vocalists and "Gleeks" alike in Karaoke Revolution: Glee. Gamers can join Rachel Berry, Finn Hudson, and Will Schuester, among other characters from the show, as they belt out 30 hit songs from the first season of the series. As in all Karaoke Revolution games, players attempt to match the pitch and lyrics of a variety of songs, earning scores and unlocking bonus content along the way. Multiplayer fans can join a friend for the "Duet" and "Co-op" modes, while the "Shooting Star" mode lets up to six vocalists compete. ~ Christopher Brown, All Game Guide

The Karaoke Revolution series' second sing-along game based on the popular prime-time musical, Glee -- Vol. 2 features another selection of songs from the first season of the television series, and encourages players to perform alongside Rachel, Kurt, Mercedes, and other stars of the show -- even rival Vocal Adrenaline frontman, Jesse St. James. In multiple modes, players can take the lead in distinctly Glee-style renditions of "Bad Romance," "Dream On," "Gives You Hell," "Like A Prayer," "Total Eclipse of the Heart," and other hits from across the modern pop-music spectrum. The game's advanced audio features include pitch indicators, independent volume controls, and a selection of effects that can be applied to players' vocal performances. A Wii-compatible microphone, not included in the game-only retail edition, is required for play. ~ T.J. Deci, All Game Guide