Ah, Just Dance 2019. The perfect game to help you become the prodigious dancer you always knew you could be. Or at the very least, it's a great way to embarrass yourself in front of friends and family while inadvertently getting your cardio in for the day. This latest installment of the beloved franchise is a mixed bag of bright colors, catchy tunes, and, well, some design choices that leave us scratching our heads.
As with previous entries, Just Dance 2019 requires players to mimic choreographies displayed by on-screen dancers. Using either the Joy-Con controllers on the Switch or the Just Dance Controller app on your smartphone (which, surprisingly, is not supported on the highly adventurous version for the Switch - sorry, but that's just how the cookie crumbled), you'll be battling it out for the top spot on the dance floor. The UI got a facelift with more emphasis on curated playlists and recommendations than a cookie-cutter format that's grown stale faster than last week's pizza. Unfortunately, where the game dazzles in design, it falters in execution, particularly with the lack of support for the Just Dance Controller app on the Nintendo Switch. Fun fact: this is the only version among the entire series to come sans that feature. Talk about bringing a knife to a dance battle - what a letdown!
The graphics of Just Dance 2019 are as vibrant as your grandma's living room wallpaper, and honestly, they fit the aesthetic quite well. Dancers shimmy across colorful backdrops that are more reminiscent of a carnival than a nightclub. Each song features unique visual styles that keep things fresh, like a good playlist at a summer party - until it repeats 'Sweet Caroline' for the fifth time in a row. The art direction shines with fluid animations, although sometimes it dances into that uncanny valley, leaving you wondering if some of the character models could use more human touches. Overall, it's a visual cornucopia - just like your aunt's famous fruit salad, but in a good way.
In conclusion, Just Dance 2019 on the Nintendo Switch is a fun, albeit flawed, addition to the franchise. While it boasts an impressive soundtrack and charming visuals, it suffers from some questionable design choices that may not sit well with all players. Whether you're ready to show off your moves at a party or casually dance-off in the comfort of your home, this title has something to offer. If you're looking for a boxing match with just dance moves and no knocking out involved, it's a decent choice. If nothing else, it's sure to create some memorable moments and plenty of laughter-because let's be real: if you can't laugh at yourself while dancing to 'Baby Shark,' can you really call yourself a dancer?