Since its inception a few years ago, the Ultramix series has been giving XBox gamers a look at what PlayStation and arcade players have been experiencing for the better part of a decade. Plus, the XBox entries marked the series’ online debut. Now, Ultramix is in its third entry, still giving gamers what they want, albeit with some new songs (actually, the most varied mix yet in a DDR game). However, on the gameplay side of things, this is pretty standard DDR fare, with few changes to the overall formula. That said, fans of the series will enjoy the new songs, but this entry won’t make you a fan unless you already are one.

While Ultramix 3 is straightforward DDR, there are a few new modes and elements that have been added. The quest mode is pretty interesting, as you role-play as a DDR champion, gaining fans as you travel from town to town earning points and fame.

There is also a freestyle mode that allows the player to simply dance around on the pad without any arrows on the screen. Since the game will gauge how you do based on rhythm and how you hit the arrows of the pad to the beat of the song.

The new party mode allows you to play a ton of mini games with some friends (or against computer-controlled opponents) in a bunch of different competitions, like the hot potato-style bomb mode, or the intense sync mode, where you have to face off, losing points for each arrow that you score less than your opponent.

Graphically, Ultramix 3 is right on par with any other DDR game, meaning that it doesn’t have much in the way of looks. The backgrounds are composed of static images with polygonal characters dancing around in front of them or full motion music videos depending on the song. That’s pretty much it for the game’s graphical presentation, aside from the constant stream of arrows climbing up the screen.

The music in this DDR covers a pretty broad spectrum compared to other titles in the series. This entry features cuts from NOFX, Blackalicious, Devo and other well known and diverse musical acts. Not to leave series fans in the cold, this version also has a ton of familiar favorites, like Sakura, thrown in as well.

Ultramix 3 is a nice entry to the series with a few cool game modes thrown into the mix and a great, varied song list. However, the DDR formula, while certainly tried-and-true, is beginning to show its seams. Love it or hate it, this is DDR, and this entry won’t change your mind one way or the other.

Gameplay: 7.5
DDR Ultramix 3 brings some fun new gameplay modes to the formula, like a host of minigames and some extra challenges for seasoned DDR freaks. However, the tweaks are fairly minimal, as the game doesn’t exactly innovate too much on the DDR formula.

Graphics: 7.0
Not really much to speak of here, just dancing characters on static backgrounds, a few videos and tons of arrows moving up the screen.

Sound: 9.0
The music in this DDR is pretty eclectic comparatively, with cuts by Devo, NOFX and Blackalicious added to some familiar favorites and staples of the series.

Difficulty:  Medium

Concept: 7.0 
Another entry to the Ultramix series, Ultramix 3 doesn’t bring much in the way of innovation to the table.

Multiplayer: 8.5
The online elements have always been the main draw of the Ultramix series, and the third entry won’t disappoint, with downloadable content and online competition.

Overall: 7.5
DDR Ultramix 3 is what fans of the series have grown to expect, new songs and a few extra modes. The game won’t make you a fan if you aren’t already one, but if you are, then Ultramix 3 is worth checking out.