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Just Dance 2025 Review – Taking Baby Steps in Accessibility

Just Dance 2025 dropped on 15th October, 2024, for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. I’m going to be a little harsh in my Just Dance 2025 review. I think it’s important for Ubisoft to know where they’re falling short on accessibility.

While Just Dance 2025 is packed with new tracks and some neat features, it feels more like a gentle shuffle forward rather than a full leap. With 40 new songs, it’s another solid entry for fans of the franchise. But, when it comes to accessibility, Ubisoft still seems to be testing the waters rather than diving in.

Gameplay

If you’ve played any of the Just Dance games before, you know what to expect here. The gameplay remains the same tried-and-true formula. Select a song, mirror the moves on-screen, and try to match the choreography as best as you can.

Whether you’re using your smartphone as a controller or grabbing a controller, it’s easy to jump in and start dancing. The new purchasable DLC song packs add some variety, and the extended camera scoring offers more ways to get feedback on your moves.

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Select one of three difficulties in Just Dance 2025.
Select your difficulty level.

What really keeps Just Dance interesting, though, is the song selection. There’s a solid mix of current hits, throwbacks, and some quirky surprises. Everything from Espresso to The Lion Sleeps Tonight can be found among the songs. If you’re playing with friends, each of you can choose your own difficulty level for three of the songs. It’s fun, it’s energetic, but let’s be honest — it’s not groundbreaking.

Still, if you’re here to have a good time and work up a sweat, Just Dance 2025 delivers. One of the best ways to do this is through the game’s Workout Mode. This tracks the calories you burn while dancing. It’s a fun way to fit in some exercise without feeling like you’re stuck in a boring routine. You can even track your progress, making it a great option for those who want to mix gaming with fitness.

Accessibility

Here’s where things get interesting. Just Dance 2025 is making moves towards being more accessible, but there’s still a lot of room for improvement. Ubisoft has introduced three seated songs this year. These are Poker Face (Magical Version), Basket Case (Bathtub Version), and Espresso (Hair Salon Version).

The accessible version of Lady's Gaga's Poker Face.
Poker Face (Magical Version) by Lady Gaga.

These are a great addition for people with mobility limitations. But, with only three seated tracks, it feels like a half-step rather than a full commitment to inclusivity. And, if you don’t have the previous two games or Just Dance+, these are the only seated songs available. With Just Dance 2023 and 2024, as well as access to Just Dance+, you’ll have 12 seated songs in total. Still… Not a great amount when you consider that Just Dance+ has over 350 songs.

What’s more promising are the accessibility filters. You can now search for leg-friendly songs, jump-free tracks, and even songs that are suited for small spaces. It’s a great tool for people who need to take it easy or don’t have much room to dance.

If accessibility is going to be part of the brand’s core identity, it needs to go all in. Three seated songs and a few filters are a good start. However, Ubisoft needs to expand this and offer a wider variety of accessible options for different needs. Don’t call a game accessible and then only have three seated songs out of 40.

Celebrating Neurodiversity

I will take a quick moment in my Just Dance 2025 review to applaud Ubisoft for its collaboration with Galantis to create the map for BANG BANG! (My Neurodivergent Anthem). This song, designed to raise awareness about ADHD, is an important step in representing neurodiversity in video games. By including a dance map dedicated to celebrating neurodiversity, Just Dance 2025 is helping to shift the conversation about ADHD, offering a positive and empowering portrayal within a popular game series. It’s a small but important part of the larger conversation around making games more inclusive for all players.

Visuals and Audio

When it comes to Just Dance, visuals and audio are at the heart of what makes the experience so engaging. In that, my Just Dance 2025 review won’t be much different to any other Just Dance game. The vibrant art style and energetic soundtracks help keep players motivated and entertained throughout each routine. Just Dance 2025 continues that tradition. It’s a combination of quirky, creative visuals and a diverse range of music that keeps you dancing.

However, even though the visuals and audio boost the energy, the developers can still improve accessibility to make the game more inclusive.

Visuals

The visuals in Just Dance 2025 are, as always, a kaleidoscope of colours and creativity. Each song has a distinct visual theme. The dance coaches don bold, often eccentric, outfits that perfectly fit the tone of the track. Enjoy following along to a pop hit or an old-school classic with an art style that keeps the energy high and the atmosphere fun. The backgrounds are playful, too. The animations reflect the vibe of each song, and they add to the overall enjoyment by making every performance feel unique.

However, while the visuals are fun, they could benefit from more accessibility options. Currently, the developers have overlooked the inclusion of colourblind modes. This is a significant issue for a game that relies heavily on visual cues. The inability to adjust brightness or contrast could also pose a challenge for players with visual impairments or sensitivities. For a game that focuses so much on inclusivity in other areas, it’s surprising to see the absence of these visual accessibility features.

Audio

On the audio front, Just Dance 2025 is just as lively as you’d expect. The soundtrack covers a wide range of genres, ensuring there’s something for everyone — from chart-topping pop and rock to more offbeat tunes. The audio quality is excellent, with crisp, clear sound that helps you stay in rhythm with the music. Plus, the ability to adjust the music volume in the settings gives you control over how loud or soft you want your game experience to be.

Espresso by Sabrina Carpenter in Just Dance 2025.
Espresso by Sabrina Carpenter dance.

However, the audio could use some work. The subtitles for song lyrics for very small (I didn’t notice them at first!), which can be a barrier for players who are hard of hearing or prefer to have the lyrics displayed. There’s also no closed captioning for sound effects or background noises that are part of the dance routines. Adding these features could make the game far more enjoyable and accessible to a wider audience. Ubisoft has made steps toward inclusivity, but providing these options would bring the game closer to being fully accessible for all players.

Check out my Just Dance 2025 full song list to see all of the songs that appear in Just Dance 2025.

Verdict

Just Dance 2025 is undeniably fun, especially if you love dancing to your favourite tracks with friends or solo. With its mix of new songs, quirky visuals, and energetic gameplay, it’s another solid entry in the long-running series.

The addition of seated songs and multiple difficulty levels shows that Ubisoft is making efforts toward inclusivity, which is a positive step forward. While these small touches are nice, they feel more like tentative moves rather than a full embrace of accessibility, and this is something I want to highlight in my Just Dance 2025 review. The core gameplay remains as engaging as ever, but the developers still fall short with their well-intentioned accessibility features.

LUNCH by Billie Eilish on Just Dance 2025.
LUNCH by Billie Eilish dance.

Ubisoft really needs to stop dancing around the topic of accessibility (pun intended) and commit to deeper, more meaningful changes. Three seated songs and a handful of filters are a start, but it’s not enough. If accessibility is truly becoming part of the brand’s identity, then it’s time to go beyond the basics. Players with varying abilities deserve more options to fully enjoy the game.

Just Dance 2025 will please long-time fans of the series, but if you’re someone looking for major improvements in accessibility, you might find yourself disappointed. For that reason, it’s a 6/10 for my Just Dance 2025 review. Do better, Ubisoft.

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Just Dance 2025 (Switch)

£39.99
6

Verdict

6.0/10

Pros

  • Seated Songs
  • Accessibility Filters
  • ADHD Awareness Collaboration
  • Fun and Energetic Gameplay

Cons

  • Limited Accessibility Features
  • Minimal Gameplay Evolution
  • No Visual Adjustment Options