Summary
The first installment in the iconic Konami rhythm game series,Dance Dance Revolution, is making a comeback in the form of a mini emulator console that just went on sale. The release of this tiny arcade cabinet replica is coming just in time for fans to celebrate the 25th anniversary of one of thebest-selling Konami franchises.
Though the popularity of the series has faded in the West in recent years due to the decline of arcades, many fans still widely regardDance Dance Revolutionas a shining example of the music video game genre. The series not only successfully managed to gamify the act of dancing, it also popularized the use of interactive entertainment as a form of exercise, years before titles likeJust DanceandWii Fitdid. As nice as it is that theKonamifranchise is still active to this day, some fans may be longing to get a dose of nostalgia, however, by revisiting the originalDance Dance Revolutionfrom 1998. Fortunately, it looks like they’ll finally get a chance to do just that later this year. However, there’s a catch.
Konami and Japanese hardware manufacturer Zuiki have announcedthatDance Dance Revolution Classic Mini, a fully functional, portable replica of the 1998 music game’s arcade cabinet, is scheduled for release on July 25, 2025. The mini console is now available for pre-order on the official Zuiki store for the hefty price of 49,500 yen, which is equivalent to around $315.60 USD. Unfortunately, though, the tiny arcade cabinet for thisgame will only be released in Japan, as there has been no official word from Zuiki regarding a worldwide release for theClassic Mini.
The lack of confirmation regarding a U.S. launch may be disappointing, but at the very least, Konami and Zuiki shared some additional information on theClassic Mini. Theupcoming mini-arcade consolewill include 40+ songs from the first threeDance Dance Revolutiongames. In addition, it will be bundled in with a pair of DDR mat-styled controllers small enough to be played using one’s hands. Those who would rather play the game on a larger screen with their feet can connect a regular dance mat to the miniature console via USB and link the device to a television or PC monitor using an HDMI cable. To top it all off, theClassic Miniwill also come with a set of interchangable stickers that fans can use to customize the look of the miniature arcade cabinet.
Dance Dance Revolution Classic Mini Details
Konami initially revealed theClassic Miniin October 2023 as part of a crowdfunding effort in Japan. The project earned over 81 million yen, or $516,500, in funding from fans over the last few months, which goes to show just how popularDance Dance Revolutionstill is in the country. If theDance Dance RevolutionClassicMiniis a commercial success, hopefully it will incite other companies, like Sega and Nintendo, to release more of these sorts of retro devices, like the much-requested Sega Dreamcast andSega Saturn mini consoles.
