There is a familiar scenario that plays out in living rooms around the world during family gatherings or weekend parties. You want to play a game, but finding one that bridges the gap between your pop-obsessed wife your nostalgic grandparents, and your competitive kids feels like an impossible puzzle. Usually, someone ends up sitting on the couch, scrolling through their phone. Ubisoft is solves this with their latest rhythm release, bringing 50 years of music into one cohesive package.
Just Dance: Decades of Hits promises to be the ultimate generational bridge. Available now on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch (with a free upgrade version arriving for the Nintendo Switch 2 on November 10) this title aims to be the only party game you need installed on your console. But does it actually succeed in getting everyone on their feet, or does it trip over its own shoelaces? Let us step onto the dance floor and find out.
The Time-Travelling Setup
At its core, Just Dance: Decades of Hits is exactly what it says on the tin: a rhythmic journey through time. But rather than just handing you a static list of 35 songs and telling you to get moving, Ubisoft has wrapped the experience in a brand-new narrative structure called Adventure Mode.
Yes, there is a story in a dancing game, and it is delightfully absurd. You follow the journey of Lyra, the daughter of the eccentric Dr Gigavolt. When the good doctor gets lost in the timeline, it is up to Lyra (and your epic dance moves) to rescue him. This playful narrative takes you through six themed worlds, each representing a different decade from the 1970s through to the 2020s. Along the way, you complete mini activities, unlock exclusive rewards, and progressively dance your way through history.
It is a simple but effective framing device. Giving players a reason to progress beyond simply chasing a higher score adds a lovely layer of progression that previous entries sometimes lacked.
The Mechanics: What Works
If you have played a modern entry in this franchise, you already know the basics: you mirror the brightly coloured coaches on the screen, and the game tracks your movements. The genius of the modern system remains intact here; you do not need expensive peripherals or camera accessories. Up to six players can simply download the controller app on their smartphones, hold their device in their right hand, and immediately join the session.
What the game does exceptionally well this year is its curation and visual presentation. The tracklist is an incredibly strong mix of surefire party anthems. You can glide through the 1970s with ABBA’s Mamma Mia, bounce into the 1990s with the Spice Girls’ Wannabe and Daft Punk’s Around the World, and eventually land in the 2020s with Chappell Roan’s HOT TO GO! or Sabrina Carpenter’s Manchild. Each decade features its own distinct visual identity. When you are dancing to Gorillaz’s Feel Good Inc., for example, the background transforms into a stunning, soaring train ride through a city in the clouds. The art direction is so captivating that it is occasionally easy to forget you are supposed to be matching the choreography.
The Full Track List
1970s:
o Mamma Mia by ABBA
o Come and Get Your Love by The Heartliners
o ABC by Groove Century
o Crocodile Rock by Elton John
o The Singing Garden by Hyacinth
1980s:
o It’s Tricky by RUN DMC
o Uptown Girl by Billy Joel
o Into the Groove by Madonna
o Jump by Metal Russell
o Celebration by Equinox Stars
1990s:
o Wannabe by Spice Girls
o Just A Girl by No Doubt
o Around the World by Daft Punk
o Sing Hallelujah! by Dr. Alban
o Coconut by SMiLE.dk
2000s:
o Stronger by Britney Spears
o Bye Bye Bye by *NSYNC
o No Scrubs by TLC
o Feel Good Inc. by Gorillaz
o Starlight by The Superman Lovers (feat Mani Hoffman)
o In Too Deep – Sum 41
2010s:
o Turn Down for What by DJ Snake & Lil Jon
o Danza Kuduro by Don Omar feat. Lucenzo
o Hello by Martein Solveig & Dragonette
o Santa Tell Me by Ariana Grande
o Give Me Everything by Pitbull featuring Ne-Yo, Afrojack and Nayer
2020s:
o Manchild by Sabrina Carpenter
o NUEVAYoL by Bad Bunny
o Midnight Sun by Zara Larsson
o drop dead by Olivia Rodrigo
o MORE & MORE by TWICE
o HOT TO GO! By Chappell Roan
o Across All Time by Lyra Gigavolt
o Supersonic by Lyra Gigavolt
o Hi Lyfe by Cult of Sound
The game includes a dedicated Workout Mode that tracks the calories you burn during your routines, which is a fantastic feature for those looking to disguise their cardio as entertainment. For those who want sheer chaos, Party Mode introduces unpredictable rules that change every round, keeping veteran players on their toes.
Finally, the ecosystem integration is a massive plus. If you own the 2023, 2024, or 2025 editions of the game, or if you subscribe to the Just Dance+ service, all your tracks synchronise into one unified menu. You do not have to close the software and open a different application to find your favourite track from last year.
Where It Misses the Beat
Despite the overwhelming joy the game provides, there are a few missteps to note. First is the size of the tracklist. With only 35 songs included in the base game, it is a slightly smaller offering compared to earlier entries in the series, which often boasted upwards of 40 tracks. When you consider that a few of these 35 slots are taken up by original Ubisoft songs, like Across All Time by the fictional Lyra Gigavolt, it can feel like filler when you would much rather be dancing to another licensed pop classic.
The Comparison
If you like Dance Central and the rhythm-action intensity of Beat Saber, then you will enjoy this game. It shares the physical activity and musical joy of those titles, but replaces the need for VR headsets or dedicated tracking cameras with sheer accessibility. Furthermore, if you miss the cross-generational, era-spanning appeal of the early Guitar Hero games (where parents and children could bond over a shared setlist) this hits that exact same sweet spot.
The Final Verdict
Ubisoft has managed to breathe fresh, vibrant energy into a long-running franchise by leaning heavily into nostalgia and varied musical styles. The Adventure Mode provides a fun, structured way to experience the catalogue, and the smartphone integration ensures that absolutely anyone can jump into the living room and join the fun within seconds.
While the slightly reduced tracklist and occasionally hyperactive camera angles are minor annoyances, they are quickly forgotten the moment you the family are attempting to synchronise a routine to Elton John’s Crocodile Rock in your lounge room. It is vibrant, it is active, and it is a guaranteed way to get your heart rate up with a smile on your face.
Recommended
Just Dance: Decades of Hits is available to purchase at justdance.com/decadesofhits/where-to-buy.
