It's hard to believe that the Dance Dance Revolution series has actually been with us a few years now. It seems like only yesterday that I first hopped up onto the Dance Dance Revolution platform in the local arcade and got my butt handed to me. It's my own fault, of course, choosing a six-star difficulty level song when I had never played. Of course, now...well, I'm better, but I still have a lot to learn. But that doesn't stop me from continuing to try and get as good as some of the hardcore Konami players I see each year at E3. Now, the latest in the DDR series has arrived for Xbox, and dancing fans are sure to let their happy feet go to work.

Dance Dance Revolution Ultramix 2 isn't that different from the first Ultramix. The interface is about the same, using the same scrolling arrow system that's inhabited previous chapters, and the format's about the same, as you choose a particular mode, followed by a song, and then go to work at getting the highest score possible. But the formula still works after all this time, and if you're a fan of the series, you'll happily dig it.

The genuine surprise with Ultramix 2 is how well it supports the Xbox Live service. It has plenty of offline options, of course, but online, there's a whole gaggle of stuff to uncover. You can take part in a number of online tournaments to see who's got the best feet, and there's also different modes to challenge others to, including the ridiculously fun Team Battle Mode, where two teams of two dancers compete to be the absolute best. Timing is crucial, of course, so be careful. Same goes for Synch mode, where two players have to work in conjunction to keep a high score going. Also, need I mention the ability of downloading some new jams to keep dancing to? This feature itself adds tons of replay ability.

Offline, though, the game is still lots of fun. The song selection is varied, ranging from some old favorites, like a little Captain Jack ditty that's a sweet listen, to the inclusion of "Rubberneckin'", a catchy collaboration between Elvis Presley and Paul Oakenfold. It's an awesome selection that only gets boosted with the downloads. You still can't add your own songs for editing, but, oh, well, maybe with Ultramix 3.

The various modes, aside from the ones mentioned above, are fun to play around with as well. The diet mode is back for more, allowing you to work on weight loss while having fun with the dance pad (or the controller if you're lazy). The Training Mode is a nice touch for those who aren't too familiar with the game and want to figure out the timing a little better. And, of course, the various versus modes are a lot of fun at parties.

The game's graphics get the job done, although they're merely flash-in-the-pan variety. There's character animations on the screen, and the lights and flashing get wilder as your combo meter continues to build with each successive step. Past that, though, the interface is simple, with scrolling arrows indicating when you need to step and where. It doesn't fully utilize the Xbox, but come on, it's a dancing game! If the formula still works after all this time, why alter it? Just prepare yourself for later levels, though. The arrows move up so fast, you'll wonder if your brain is capable of keeping up with your feet.

Along with all this, you also have the ability of playing around with the Dance Editor, where you can work out your own steps to the songs offered within the game. Granted, this mode can either make you a dancing god or someone who ends up stuck in a funky chicken position for a few years, so don't expect a winner every time if you don't fully have the talent to bring to the table. Still, it's fun to play around with, and welcome to have.

The only downside to Ultramix 2 is it really doesn't seem like anything new. The game feels more like a continuation rather than a full-blown sequel, as it doesn't really overstep the boundaries and give us something like a "trippy mode" or the ability to put in our own songs. This may make some people question the $40 price tag, although $60 for one with an official dance pad may be reasonable just so friends can snag another one for competitive play.

But, like I said, if the game formula works this well, there's really no reason to change it. Dance Dance Revolution Ultramix 2 is a strong entry in the series, thanks to its Xbox Live support, its many game modes that are great for single and multiple players, and its large array of songs, guaranteed to keep you thumping your feet until you wear out holes in the carpet. Get it for the dancing ones you love, or for your own happy feet.