a quick question

[DDRMax2 or extreme]

right now i have a pad and am borrowing my friends old ddr for ps2 and i was wondering whether to get max2 or extreme.i was going t oget extreme but i hear max2 is better for noobs like me and i like the japanese pop and that kind of music more too. I also have extremely large feet (size 12 feet but i wear size 13 shoes) and i heard that extreme doesnt have the option to turn off the corner buttons. Also, its impossible for me to put downloaded stuff on my ps2 so i wont be able to change it. So my question is, should i get max2 or extreme? Also is there a max2 bundle? I really woudl enjoy having 2 pads :-D

[StarDrifter]

Okay. I'll try to answer everything here as well as I can.

Max2 and Extreme are both just about as newbie friendly, from the all accounts.

Max2 does seem to have a little more of a contemporary Japanese pop feel to the overall sound selection. Extreme still has some good songs of that genre as well, but also seems a little more rap than Max2.

You are right about Extreme not having the ability to turn off corner buttons. This hasn't been so much of a problem since buying a cheap ignition pad, where you can feel the arrows. If you're looking at an ignition of any sort (these have thick foam inserts and help you feel your way around the pad), that might help negate this missing feature. There are also hacked game saves that you can download, if you have the proper hardware.

It's impossible to add songs to a PS2 DDR game. You can get a PS2-to-USB adaptor for your pad, however, and play StepMania. Stepmania is a free game that comes with no songs, but lets you add steps to mp3s.

You can sometimes find bundles at stores that specialize in video games. Gamestop comes to mind. It's really not advised that you buy pads off of ebay - they tend to do quick - but there are bundles abound on that site. Many of them come with two unpadded dance pads.

[MirokuWinds]

well let me clear some things up, i said the thing about downloading because i cant download a hacked save onto my ps2 to turn off the corner buttons. i dont plan to buy an ignition 2.0 pad anytime soon but i too plan to get the 50 dollar red octane pad once summer starts (what do you guys think about that one?) thanks.

[abrannan]

For $50, I'd recommend an Ignition knockoff. There's jsut such a large difference between the play feel of a soft pad vs a thick foam "ignition" style mat. Ideally, you'd go with an Ignition for the Xbox compatibility and the better surface, but I realize that's a bit pricey.

[SSC]

Okay, well... I personally recommend Max 2. It has a lot better songs to get use to, if you ask me. There's something flawed about Extreme, but I just can't quite put my finger on it. Extreme is harder to progress in, because you have to full combo a song to get a AA, which is rediculous. Also, I have size 13 feet/shoes, and sometimes have a problem with corner buttons on Extreme. I usually don't on Max 2. Most of my troubles on Extreme with the corner buttons come from Paranoia(s,) Maximizer, TLOM, and harder songs.

[abrannan]

SheScreamedClaudio said:

Extreme is harder to progress in, because you have to full combo a song to get a AA, which is rediculous.

Why do you have to get AAs to progress?

[SSC]

Ah, okay I guess you got me there.

You don't truly need an AA to progress, I just take it as a sign of "Hey, you can do this. You're ready for the next level."

[abrannan]

The difference between A and AA is so negligible (total of a few tenths of seconds overall) compared to the difference between B and A that I usually use consistent As as my measuring stick for advancement. That means I've got the skill down enough to move up. I may go back to a lower level to try for AAs in order to help re-calibrate my timing for some of the more syncopated rhythms, but my biggest improvement is from songs where I'm on the B/A border.

[Danielle]

Get Max2. I have both so trust me on this one.