1998

Dance Dance Revolution

FROM: Konami

BEHIND THE MUSIC: The arcade game that inspired a cultural revolution. Standing on a virtual dance stage, work up a rhythm then step, jump and twist in time to floating arrow icons, and J-Pop hits, to perform something resembling an actual rump-shaking routine. Celebrates its 10th anniversary in November, with new releases such as Dance Dance Revolution X and Universe 3 keeping the time-honored tradition of couch-potato choreography going strong.

WHY IT ROCKS: Inspired local and national dance competitions; muscled its way into gyms the globe over; inspired a generation of footloose tweens who could contort like pretzels at the local Dave & Buster's but barely shoulder lean otherwise; spawned over 100 hernia-inducing sequels; made local quarter-munching dives cool again; and gave us all something to gawk at. Plus, actually adopted by states like West Virginia as part of state PE programs to combat childhood obesity, a marked step up from ego-crushing kickball competitions and those thigh-chafing ropes.

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