Just Dance 2026 Switch Review

Just Dance 2026 Switch Review
Version Reviewed: Nintendo Switch

I have a fun fact about Just Dance… I was actually one of the first people to play it in Australia. Back when I was working at EB Games, we had an internal trade show, which would later become EB Expo, that we simply called “Vendors.” The Ubisoft team had us gather around a Wii console and asked for four volunteers. Little did I know that raising my hand would thrust me into destiny, as I was about to bust a move in front of all my co-workers and corporate management. Bust a move I did, to the Spice Girls, all the way back in 2009. Fast forward to 2026, and the latest iteration has landed on the Nintendo Switch. What’s it like? Put on your best outfit, shine those dance shoes, and get ready to shake your booty as we dive into Just Dance 2026 Edition for Nintendo Switch.

Just in case you’ve been living under a rock since 2009, Just Dance is Ubisoft’s long-running dance game series that lets you follow on-screen choreography to a variety of songs, right in your living room. The core mechanics remain the same, simply follow the moves on screen to be scored on accuracy, making it easy for newcomers to pick up and fun for seasoned dancers to jump straight in.

The Just Dance 2026 tracklist is as varied as you’d expect, with 40 new tracks, and importantly as a father with 2 little dancers of my own, all the songs are clean of swear words, which makes it a solid pick for families. That said, some tracks still have… broader themes… so it’s worth giving the playlist a quick glance if you’ve got younger dancers around. When it comes to game modes, there’s the standard dance mode, where you can pick any song or create a playlist from curated options like Latin classics, songs to sweat to, or Millennial favourites. Then there’s Party mode, which adds a fun twist. Here you join Dr Gigavolt in playlists set for 10, 20, or 30-minute intervals, and you have to keep dancing while interruptions appear on screen to distract you. Beat the score, and you pass the test.

While playing solo can be a fun workout, Just Dance really shines when you compete with your friends, with up to six players able to join the action using either Joy-Cons or smartphones. I personally found both the Switch 1 and 2 Joy-Cons to be better than using a smartphone, but the phone also has an added bonus of being able to use the camera to detect your movements, much like the Kinect used to.

Speaking of movement, just how well does it all perform? Well, for my experience, the Joy-Con motion controls were accurate and responsive, even in my situation where I couldn’t stand while dancing due to a health issue. My kids and I were still able to play together while I stayed seated, and the game’s leniency in tracking moves turned out to be a blessing for players with limited mobility, while still making a clear detection when you were phoning in some of the moves. Overall, the Joy-Cons handled choreography well and felt reliable throughout. Now, as you know, I’m a rebel without a cause, but I highly recommend using the wrist straps while playing this game.

The moves can get intense, and thanks to these safety measures, my TV survived the over-enthusiastic energy of my kids. When it comes to online restrictions, you can download up to 40 songs for offline play, which is great if you want to avoid streaming everything. For the most part, though, the game relies on online streaming, as the install size is relatively small. If you’re unsure about your internet connection, you can download the Just Dance Free Experience to test your setup before committing.

Just Dance 2026 continues its bright and colourful approach when it comes to visuals. The costumes are outlandish, perfectly matching the over-the-top energy of the dancers. The flashy backgrounds can mesmerise, drawing you into the rhythm of each song, while the high-contrast, colourful palette feels bright, bold, and refreshing. Everything is designed to pop and delight, making the game as visually entertaining as it is physically. One thing that stood out with Just Dance 2026 was the user interface. I found it a bit all over the place and, at times, confusing. The home screen offers a list of songs and playlists, the song tab does something similar, and the modes tab is mostly focused on the Dr Gigavolt Party mode. It somehow manages to feel both overcomplicated and bare-bones at the same time.

When it comes to value, Just Dance 2026 comes with 40 tracks in the 2026 Edition.  Additionally, it includes the option to subscribe to Just Dance Plus, which unlocks a large library of extra tracks beyond what is included in the base game for an additional cost. The catalogue covers a wide range of genres and eras, so there is something for everyone, whether you want to sweat along to high-energy pop hits or revisit older classics. For families or groups who plan to play regularly, it keeps the playlist feeling fresh without waiting for the next annual release. It is completely optional, and you can still have plenty of fun with the standard selection of songs. I am a little torn with the pricing, because the Just Dance + is actually pretty decent value for money, but I do wonder if the service would be better as a subscription-only model instead of buying a base game, then adding on more costs. For families like mine who play a lot of party games, the extra cost is justifiable, but for casual gamers, provided the included 40 tracks suit your taste, you might just want to stick with them.

So, after all these years of annual releases, is Just Dance still fun? Yes, absolutely. Sure, the gameplay has largely stayed the same, and this year’s iteration mainly brings a fresh batch of tracks to the table, but playing alongside my kids had us laughing and having a genuinely great time. The combination of familiar mechanics, energetic songs, and a bit of friendly competition keeps the experience entertaining. It may not reinvent itself, but Just Dance 2026 showed me that even after all these years, I can still bust a move.

So, What’s it Like? Just Dance 2026 is that familiar Just Dance Experience, with an updated track list.

In the Interest of full disclosure, a review copy was provided by Ubisoft, but this doesn’t influence my score.

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