Implementing DDR at home

Ancient DDR writeup - Implementing DDR at home
This is all violently out-of-date, but I'm tired of hunting for it.

While DDR is an arcade game, you can play it at home and have virtually the same play as the arcade version without a massive investment. You will need four objects (besides a TV) to play:

Game console, you'll want a Sony Playstation 2 (PS2)
Memory for the PS2
The DDR game (in DVD form for PS2)
A dancing mat

Here's what you need and how to get it.

Game console

First, you need something that plays video games. While DDR has been implemented for various game consoles, it's really a Sony Playstation 2 (PS2) game, and it's best not to go against the flow in these things. If you already have an Xbox, that might be good enough, but I don't know. It works on a Playstation 1, but I don't think adequately.

To buy things like a PS2, I use "Techbargains.com" to find vendors and best prices. Pay attention to the vendor ratings, how many people rated it, etc.

http://techbargains.pricegrabber.com/search_getprod.php/masterid=394941/blsrt=1/ut=0fcfff0784bb2a67

Newegg is my favorite vendor, I buy a lot from them and am always happy.

Expect to pay about $175 for a new PS2, including shipping. You can also get these somewhat more expensively at most electronics retail outlets (e.g. Best Buy, Circuit City, etc.), and at game places (Game Station, etc.)
Memory card

Assuming that you got a PS2, you also need a memory card (a small cartridge) to track your high scores, your personal settings, etc. You need an 8MB one, more than that if you've got the potential to be an avid video gamer beyond DDR. These cost about $25 from the same kinds of outlets as the consoles. Since shipping costs a lot, unless you buy it with other stuff, it's usually cheaper to get it locally. These can sometimes be found at media stores (like Strawberry, SPEC, etc.). Don't buy off-brand memory cards, just get Sony.

Sometimes you can find a memory card and PS2 bundled with things like extra games, and extra consoles. I think I saw that at Costco and the price seemed excellent.
DDR game

The correct game to get these days is DDRMAX2. It has the most features, a zillion songs, and will keep you occupied for the foreseeable future. You can buy it separately, or bundled with a dance mat.

If you buy it alone (I bought mine bundled, see below), it costs $30-40 from the usual electronics vendors. Since shipping costs a lot, unless you buy it with other stuff, it's usually cheaper to get it locally. These can sometimes be found at media stores (like Strawberry, SPEC, etc.).
Dance mat

You can buy the game bundled with a dance mat from the game maker for $60-$70. I don't recommend this (unless you want the extra mat as a backup, but the bundle doesn't even save you much). The dance mat is inferior, it slides around, doesn't feel good, and misses steps. I've used one; don't do it. The scuttlebutt on the web is that the best "soft" mat is the Ignition 2.0 Pad from Red Octance, which is a company of kids who hacked up their own mats a lot, got pestered by the their friends for some, and eventually went into business. I bought the Ignition 2.0 Pad and the game combo for $125. from Red Octane. I love the pad.

http://www.redoctane.com/ddrmax2and1ignition.html

More info

The motherload of DDR info is:
http://www.ddrfreak.com/

Machine locations to try DDR out (not 100% up to date, but close):
http://www.ddrfreak.com/locations/locations.php

CBS Early Show, "Video Game That's Good For You":
http://www.ddrfreak.com/newpress/CBC%20News.htm

Good NY Times Mag article on DDR:
http://www.ddrfreak.com/newpress/New%20York%20Times%20Magazine.htm

DDRFreak collection of press articles:
http://www.ddrfreak.com/press.php