Just Dance VR: the most fun (and risky) way to play.

Since its launch in 2009, Ubisoft's Just Dance series has remained in constant motion, delivering new editions annually since its debut on the Nintendo Wii. Despite its success and evolution on various consoles, it's undeniable that the series reached its peak on the Wii, as its design fit perfectly with the motion controls of that console. For this reason, it is surprising that it took so long for Just Dance to arrive in virtual reality.

While a standard edition for consoles has been announced for 2025, new devices such as the Meta Quest 3S will receive an adapted version that leverages virtual reality technology. It's no surprise that Just Dance fits well into the VR environment, offering a fun alternative for those looking to stay active while using their devices. This new experience likely represents the best way to enjoy the franchise since the days of the Wiimote, although it comes with an important warning: it is essential to have a suitable space to avoid accidents.

During a gaming session with the Quest 3S, the integration of the game in virtual reality was evident, although certain challenges also emerged. Upon accessing the menu, the selection content was limited, with only 25 songs compared to the 40 in the console edition. The list included tracks that seemed to be taken from a compilation of past hits, which can be somewhat disconcerting given the absence of more recent tunes.

The user interface presents a learning curve that can complicate the transition to the VR format. When selecting my first song, I had to quickly adapt to the dance instructions appearing on the screen, which initially made it difficult to correctly follow the movements. However, by focusing on the virtual dancer modeling each step, I managed to find the rhythm and start enjoying the experience.

As I got lost in the game, I relived the nostalgia of the Wii era, using the Touch Plus controllers instead of the Wiimote, and I was surprised by how entertaining it turned out to be. The exercise component is one of the main attractions of virtual reality, and Just Dance VR delivers that effectively. But it wasn't all perfect. In the midst of the fun, accidental bumps occurred, such as when I hit a shelf while dancing. This highlights one of the limitations of playing in a virtual reality environment: the difficulty of visualizing the actual physical space.

Although there are improvements in augmented reality technology in modern headsets like the Meta Quest 3S, which provide better visibility of the surroundings, there is still a long way to go to fully optimize the Just Dance experience in virtual reality. A possible future could integrate more mixed reality elements into the game to enrich the experience and avoid the inconveniences stemming from a lack of spatial awareness in VR.

Although Just Dance VR will launch on October 15 for Meta Quest headsets, it is clear that this title has great potential to be developed in future iterations.