The version released 4 years ago (DDR A) was the first American release since X/X2 that didn't have shit machines, was connected to Konami's online services like the rest of Asia, and had a widespread distribution in chains like Dave & Busters and Round1 so it kinda had a mini-revival? Also it meant qualifying for Konami's BEMANI-wide "world championship" in Japan for the first time so the US players could finally btfo the Japanese alongside the one Korean who was already crushing the Japanese and probably would've continued if not for mandatory military service.
Not to bash too much on casual shit, but you kinda need casual shit nowadays to attract casual players who don't know anything besides "Butterfly". Like that's mostly why Guitar Hero/Rock Band/Just Dance took off eventually while DDR started tanking.
As someone who plays sorta seriously, but isn't really a part of the "community," it's pretty much this minus the Ariana Grande/K-Pop part (can't risk stream being taken down for copyright) though it can get more of a workout than that. It's just the loudest people have been constantly screeching "DDR NEEDS TO BE AN E-SPORT TO BE RELEVANT AGAAAAAAAAIN" not realizing that:
- DDR is cliche and boring as hell to watch after awhile
- All gameplay is practically the same, there is no "strategy" besides step on arrow and don't fuck up more than your opponent
- If you want to practice outside of tournaments, you have to either be near an arcade chain with the latest version, or be part of some super secret tight dark web-like clique and pirate arcade data + shell out $$$$ to have your own machine and a place to play it in, because Konami is nippon ass backwards.
- Konami is strict as hell when it comes to streaming any of the latest versions of their games outside of Japan that isn't at an arcade chain like Dave & Busters or Round1. Again because Konami is nippon ass backwards.
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