Zumba Fitness World Party Review for Nintendo Wii U

Zumba Fitness World Party continues the popular dance/fitness game series from Majesco. This excitable experience involves an included fitness belt (neon green and black) and uses a Wii remote (required to play). Zumba Fitness World Party has amazing gameplay and exercise opportunities. Move to over 40 new songs amid seven worldwide locations that anchor over 40 classes and 14 outstanding instructors.

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It’s the perfect time to get into the groove with additional expanded tutorials and a four player mode. This fitness video game focuses on the program developed by Alberto “Beto” Perez, and known as Zumba.

The Hype

Only the premier global fitness brand can offer you an interactive experience so big it spans the Earth! For the first time ever, Zumba takes you on a cultural joyride around the world in Zumba Fitness World Party. Burn up to 1,000 calories per hour as you immerse yourself in the movement and music of exotic global destinations in this exhilarating at home workout that features a new visual presentation. World Party is the latest release in the best-selling Zumba Fitness video game franchise that has sold more than nine million copies worldwide and ranks as the #2 fitness franchise of all time, second only to Nintendo’s Wii Fit. This groundbreaking new dance-fitness experience unites you with the global Zumba community while offering all of the fitness features you need to maximize your work out. Travel the world with celebrity Zumba instructors; move to a cultural mix of dance styles across 40+ fresh songs and routines; and unlock rewards that reveal the rich heritage of each location. Learn to love your workout with this fun, freeing fitness journey that expands your horizons!

The Reality

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The Zumba Fitness game series makes a nice debut on the Wii U. Veteran players know the fitness drill: set up the controller (including waist strap holder), follow the dancers and keep the beat. Novices have no need to worry here either.

The various exercises are fun and customizable to any age or skill though the main exercises are geared towards adults (see the recently released Zumba Kids Wii game for a younger aged option). Developers Zoë Mode and publisher Majesco Entertainment definitely make strong considerations for the user throughout the experience except for the tutorials.

Developers recruited top music and 14 top trainers who are always dressed colorfully and appropriately for all ages. The celebrity trainers include Beto, Gina Grant, Kass Martin, Melissa Chiz, Heidy Torres, Loretta Bates, Nick Logrea, Armando Salcedo, Priscilla Sartori, Peter Wang, Eric Aglia, Dr. B and BhangraBros.

The worldwide dance styles (more than 30) include: Bollywood, Irish Step, Hip-Hop, Calypso, Cumbia, Reggaeton and Salsa, plus new ones like Plena, Blues, Capoeira and Girly Funk. The belly dances and hula routines expand the appeal and fun while still providing a great workout.

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Ready to dance? Set up easy with the included velcro belt that holds a Wii remote (additional fitness belt sold separately), so players can enjoy a comfortable hands free experience. Choose among three intensity settings, set up a profile and choose from the following game modes: World Tour, Full Class (more than 40), Quick Play, My Zumba, and the standard options. The multiplayer mode includes freestyle, battle (versus and/or cooperative) and elimination tournaments for up to 16 players while personal touches and a high replay value enhances in the single player experience very well.

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The game tracks movements using up to four remotes during session including using of the GamePad for some fun DJ duties where a player can line up the music – perfect for dance parties. Better menu options incorporating drop and drag touch options, especially when creating playlists, would have been better when using the GamePad because players cannot dance with it.

Zumba Fitness World Party definitely lives up to the name with seven worldwide locations and a four-player mode. Players can unlock more songs as they progress. Other unlockables include behind-the-scenes videos, fitness tips and special souvenirs. Earn “miles” when globetrotting to dance sessions.

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Classes can last over an hour, so players get genuine workouts with accurate calorie counts. The length is variable and customizable right down to the music playlists (can store 10 total).

The game does a great job motivating players to progress through the dance moves, especially by not penalizing most incorrect moves throughout gameplay and only giving the ending performance in star ratings. Players get instant assessments/scores in the lower left and bottom center screen (stars out of five total) that does not block any visuals. Other tracked statistics include accomplished goals and technique scores.

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The sound quality is excellent and the helpful tutorials are expanded. The game breaks down dance and even each step with videos of trainers at slow or normal speed, which would give examples for players to perfect their moves. Players can easily change instructions videos on the fly (plus (+) button).

The following list includes all songs available in Zumba Fitness: World Party.

“1865 (96 Degrees In The Shade)” – Sean Na’auao
“Aguanile” – Marc Anthony
“Bailando Por Ahi” – Juan Magan featuring Pitbull
“Batucada Dance” – The Samba Brazilian Batucada Band
“Beam Me Up” – Cazzette
“Born This Way” – Lady Gaga
“Boro Boro” – Arash
“Came Here To Party” – Dahrio Wonder
“Caribbean Dream” – Honorebel
“Carmen” – Ryan Franks – Xbox One Exclusive
“Clarity” – Zedd featuring Foxes
“Coisa Brasileira” – Zumba Original
“Corazoncito Bonito” – Zumba Original
“DJ Dale Play” – Mara – Xbox One Exclusive
“Do You Feel Like Movin’?” – Mohombi featuring Baby, KMC & Casey
“Echa Pa’lla (Manos Pa’rriba)” – Pitbull featuring Papayo
“Exotic” – Priyanka featuring Pitbull
“Garota Nacional” – Skank
“Haleiwa Hula” – Sean Na’auao
“Jungle” – Last Voices
“Indian Moonshine” – Zumba Original
“Kaim Rahe Sadari” – Epic Bhangra
“Limbo” – Daddy Yankee
“Loco” – Zumba Original
“Maoli Girl” – O-Shen
“Marioneta” – Zumba Original
“Mas Que Nada” – The Bahia Band
“Mashallah” – Shreya Ghoshal featuring Wajid
“Na Ponta Do Pe” – Zumba Original (my personal favorite)
“Next To Me” – Emeli Sandé
“Otea Tamatoa” – Tamatoa World – Xbox One Exclusive
“Pega Pega” – Heidy and Armando
“Perros Salvajes” – Daddy Yankee
“Put The Gun Down” – ZZ Ward
“Puttin’ On The Ritz” – Herb Alpert and Lani Hall
“Ruas Encantadas” – Claudia Leitte
“Russian Dances” – Samovar Russian Dance Ensemble
“Shake Your Hips” – Joan Osborne
“Shant” – Zumba Original – Xbox One Exclusive
“The Beggarman Jig” – The High Kings
“True To Myself” – Ziggy Marley
“Una De Salao” – Salao
“Vibes” – Queen Ifrica featuring Shaggy
“Zumba Borica” – Rafa Maya

Also available on Nintendo Wii, Xbox 360 and Xbox One. NOTE: The multiplayer modes on Xbox 360 and Xbox One versions only accommodate up to two players.

NOTE: All the gameplay screenshots provided are from reviewer gameplay sessions using the Hauppauge HD PVR Rocket Portable Stand Alone HD 1080p Video Game Recorder.

Zumba Fitness World Party

MSRP: $49.99 (Best Buy, Amazon and other stores)

What I Like: ideal for any age/skill, instant/responsive performance feedback, high replay value, high energy music soundtrack, great exercise variety, visual design, goals easy to set, solid physical workouts, fun dance moves, great tutorial improvements.

What Needs Improvement: underused GamePad, especially when creating a playlist

Source: Reviewer copy provided by publisher

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