Becoming the World's Best DDR Player

Earlier this year, for the first time in history, the Konami Arcade Championship in Japan opened its doors to US competitors. When Bay Area resident Chris "iamchris4life" Chike was invited to participate alongside a handful of other Americans, he made a vow to not leave empty-handed.
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[@loganwilkens]

For those who don't know, Chris was also the first person to ever FC (100%) Through the Fire and Flames on Expert on Guitar Hero 3. What a legend!

[@KyleDDx]

Logan W I'm glad somebody mentioned this.

[@akpokemon]

WHHHHAAAAAT WHAT A GOD I remember that video!

[@blakehexyl2258]

No he wasn’t he just set a record for highest score

[@shad0ex]

Which is more impressive

[@boogy0024]

That's the reason I'm here now. I'm in the rabbit hole tonight and this is just a pitstop.

[@carrma3831]

“I’m bringing the trophy back to America” *one guy cheers and the Japanese just clap because they’re polite*

[@EsjM49]

They couldn't understand what he was saying. It was only after a translator that they did clap for him.

[@HectorHernandez-vb8nq]

Lmaoooo

[@afroid3]

Most Japanese cannot listening fast English. However, PFC in tournaments is a universal language.

[@ItsLilIzzzy]

Lol ya was about to comment that 😂😂😂

[@ruinned]

Nothing wrong with cheering. People express themselves differently.

[@user-pv1nl4qp1g]

In case you might be thinking "Hey, Chris and Jeff did cool shit, but Hudson seemed lacking", what Polygon didn't mention is that he invited people over to play a Supernova 2 cabinet, and ended up being the first person to ever clear the hardest marathon course in the history of DDR with recorded footage.

[@tunglamduong3000]

Him being at the KAC is already enough proof of how much of a competent player he is.

[@defaultusername4203]

"Hudson you just cleared Boss Rush SN2, what do you have to say?"

[@almost_friday9745]

@@defaultusername4203 chris..... what happened?

[@pinkcelia8926]

I'm super late, but it's not Hudson that invited Fungah and Chris. It was Dr. D. The rest of it were right tho

[@estebansantibaneztwo-oh-plusth]

This is a Konami/BEMANI story of Yuichi Asami. Once upon a time, there was first DDR Japanese arcade game... DDRファンの皆さん、こんにちは！ (Hello, DDR fans!) I'm very funny! Happy 25th birthday, DDR!

[@maketheinternetgreatagain5146]

honestly made me so happy how when he got a perfect score basically one of the people from Japan freaked out and hugged him seems like a cool community

[@LiamMazeika]

That's way more wholesome of a competition than I was expecting. Go DDR for having a fantastic community.

[@Neil454ss]

I used to be a part of the DDR community back in the day (Got into it from the OG Xbox), the community was one of the nicest and most welcoming I had ever been a part of. I miss those days, as most of the gaming community now is pretty toxic (online at least).

[@BedrockSolid]

The DDR community's really nice. You can hang out with the other people who play, and there are local communities and Facebook groups where we all congregate and know each other.

[@AnayranPinheirodeAzevedo]

Pyrochaos only online. When people is together is only smiles and mocking with each other

[@llovebeats3749]

Rhythmgame communities dont have that shit even today.

[@T3n50r]

Then again it stems from Japan, they are very humble and welcoming. If you've watches the Smash Bros documentary series you see the same thing happening there when they visited Japan for a competition. It's just way more friendlier than Western gaming communities in Europe and the US.

[@everythingsalright1121]

"im taking the title back to america" *half assed cheering*

[@ziqi92]

Azarith well hey, this was America’s first time entering the KAC, and they trounce everyone there with the first ever PFC and winning the championship? Small wonder for Japan to be a little salty that they got showed up by the Americans at literally their own game.

[@vangmx]

Yeah, I think this could've been misinterpreted like, "In your face biatches! I'm taking this title to America, yo!" but I'm pretty sure he just meant, "I'm taking this title back to my home in America. Thanks a bunch!"

[@clxcwr]

Died..

[@ngandong1]

DDR is like a lost child to Japan that they don't even remember they own it anymore. I am actually amazed that there are still people playing this game, especially the Japanese. You can hardly find this machine in the arcade. Not trying to discredit or anything but DDR is like, the easiest rhythm game you can actually play. It's even easier than the Korean counter version: Pump it up.

[@TimmayIsHawt]

Sorry, as a person who plays both PIU, ITG, and DDR, DDR is a lot harder then Pump. Not only is the timing window on DDR a lot smaller (especially getting PFC or even MFC), there are a lot more technical stuff in DDR then in Pump. Pump's timing is really large and I feel like it was meant to bring in casual players to play the game and not get curb stomped by DDR's timing windows. DDR is DEFINITELY not the easiest rhythm you can play.

[@sevenbit]

This is so cool to see. I was part of the community in 2004-2007 and was top 6 in russia. Later i even developed Tapmania - the first ddr game for iPhone that almost got me in a lawsuit with Konami haha. I remember how i used to watch in amazement this kid chris4life who was smashing itg and ddr in his living room with a huge tv. He was already amazing then but holy crap he really made it this time! I'm so happy for this dude :)

[@christianbethel]

That was you?? Awesome!

[@AndrewFerrer3d]

Lol I'm always playing tapmania. Cool dude

[@zqchz3227]

Lol u made tap mania I need one request make a down scroll for the love of god lol

[@sevenbit]

@@zqchz3227 Alright, i'll think about it :') some people been requesting that on the appstore too :)

[@sevenbit]

@@AndrewFerrer3d

[@lucknowseven]

2:07 when you see someone just killing the DDR machine at the local dave n busters

[@mr.k1416]

;)

[@albion115]

Loool

[@KevinoftheCosmos]

BEAT ME TOO IT. AHAHAHAHAHAHA

[@DaAznT1m]

I didn't get it until I replayed the 2nd time, BRuhhhhhh. das nasty man

[@aeong_bread]

LMFAOOOOOOOOO

[@J____L]

I demand a full 90 minute documentary on competitve DDR now, Polygon.

[@Skkitzzo316]

search "Lord of the Dance Machine" its older, but its a BBC documentary on a DDR player back in early 2000's

[@saulv960]

I got hyped from watching this...need...more...content like this

[@justitgstuff5284]

+1

[@blastoiseddr]

Andrew Gutierrez lord of the dance machine was a really good doco.

[@justsomenerd8925]

You can get all the comp ddr you want at goshotyourself.com

[@Unyt]

How to work out. With fun

[@ZillionPrey]

Unyt also works with just dance

[@anamethat]

...but video games

[@madsupervilian.]

No shit, this brings me back to memories to my neighborhood friend who got extremely fit due to this game back in H.S.

[@angelb3830]

I did too, I lost so much weight playing that shit that some people was starting to worry I was depressed or I had an addiction, which I did, I was addicted to ddr LOL

[@derekbond9521]

Yeah for real, my PE class at school lets us play DDR

[@baemonrawr]

Need a full documentary now. This is the most wholesome esports scene

[@boiboi7717]

yeah so little ego when compared to something like the smash community-- it's all for a love of music, skill, and competition

[@naota3k]

The rhythm game community has been around for quite a long time now. It has always been great.

[@XxbluedevilzxX]

Fun fact that this video didn't mention is that chris4life was the first person in the world to 100% through the fire and flames on Guitar Hero 3. Look it up if you don't believe me! One of the best rhythm game players in the world.

[@RaddChad]

XxbluedevilzxX facts! I remember watching it when it came out.👌🏾

[@logtec1977]

Great! what does he win, a wizard hat?

[@extra7131]

XxbluedevilzxX _but can he fc past machinations A_

[@blakehexyl2258]

He didn’t even fc in that vid lol

[@Thomasfrank]

This is pretty cool to see - I remember watching Chris' videos when I was around 13 years old, saving up money to get my own Cobalt Flux pad

[@Skkitzzo316]

you can buy a DDR 8th mix or older for like $500 now adays

[@salabhsg]

Thomas Frank Giving all the study tips and you are here watching some kids jumping to music 😛

[@thekingmeruem]

Thomas Frank you are awesome

[@PhantasmHCS]

He got 1st place in the internationals and even was the first person to FC TTFAF in GH3, seriously, this guy is a monster. Haha

[@d0m2288]

I remember deciding to sacrifice having a balcony in my first apartment because I wanted to be able to use a Cobalt Flux without disturbing neighbors below me.

[@sparkjolt]

I really love that (SPOILERS AHEAD) even when that dude got a perfect score and when Chris won the tournament, the other players were not annoyed at all, they were all super happy for them. Often in gaming tournies you see people get so salty when they don't win but everyone looks just happy to be there

[@XepherGlow]

sparkjolt as the documentary mentioned, DDR doesn't get as much love in America than in Japan. Japanese players tend to enjoy the game rather than winning, I feel it's just in their culture. Not to say competing is a bad thing, but if only other communities could follow their example....

[@XepherGlow]

its litt bro he must have been tired beyond belief when he said that

[@codylee2818]

I think it's because DDR isn't a game against the other player, really. Your actions in no way impact the opponent and their actions don't affect you either. It's not like a competitive game where you have to out-think the other guy, it's more like a race where you're just trying to do your own best.

[@maylam27]

The Japanese have this this going on where they don't want to upset others, it probs have something to do with that mindset

[@utsronin]

they know whats coming next. *unsheathes katana*

[@realistmw]

Need this at the gym

[@eyemann5706]

So that DDR player can flex both muscles and reaction/accuracy

[@Pwilly1984]

Best cardio ever especially paired with heavy weight training!

[@signetta6191]

I literally tell my friends that the arcade is my gym haha

[@MD-qk6si]

i wish so bad that some major gym chains would purchase the a20 cabs, iirc i was told they were like 10k each and you needed to buy 8 at once

[@seasoningpacket3464]

@@MD-qk6si sheesh

[@YeahAkka]

Came here after youtube recommended me in 2019 a video of guitar hero 3 guiness record

[@Amwhati]

AK12 bro deadass me too

[@FGO23]

Same

[@uniusss]

yeeeee

[@eimaioDNSJUNIOR]

same

[@mitchellpalmer8074]

Ye

[@sophiat]

Funny coincidence, I worked with Chris Chike a couple summers ago at a certain failed tech startup in a certain Philadelphia incubator. He was the backend guy and I handled frontend. Glad to see you're doing well, Chris!

[@RuffRider235]

S T Brian???

[@sophiat]

Hey! Whats up! Congratulations on becoming world champion!

[@akpokemon]

awww!

[@CGoody564]

CHRS4LFE I hope by now you've made it out of Pennsylvania...

[@CoDMunichTV]

youtube comment section did it again boys

[@ashtonmackle4242]

I started this video not knowing or caring about DDR at all and ended it in tears. Please keep making this sort of video, there must be tons of subcultures in gaming with compelling stories to tell that the average gamer doesn't know about.

[@Noahtheorigianl]

Aisling Addams ikr same. If u havnt, checked out the documentary "smash bros documentary" its like this sort of vid

[@joma77]

For real! The only other video I've watched like this one was about Super Mario Sunshine. kzbin.info/www/bejne/pabHi4Ckns6VZpo

[@jellowpy9243]

Ditto

[@AntonioKowatsch]

You have some crazy eyeliner in your profile pic. LOL

[@skylenexo6541]

Dude same when I was watching this vid I din't really care cause I am not good at games like DDR but when it ended I just started crying for a little

[@camillecamille04]

Wow! The DDR community seems so warm and fun.

[@yattasuccess9212]

Especially they they're not exactly a new community

[@KyoushaPumpItUp]

Can the same thing be said for the PIU community? I mean, they're basically the same game, but PIU has 5 steps (diagonal and center) compared to DDR's 4.

[@endmiee35816efqe]

Honestly, the american Bemani community in general is super duper nice, because we're all clinging desperately to these games and need to help eachother out in any way we can

[@CMAT17]

@@KyoushaPumpItUp Pump community is pretty chill too. There is a ton of crossover between the two games, though the two play kinda different.

[@KyoushaPumpItUp]

@@CMAT17 Oh. Glad to hear that. I've been playing it since 2006 (I was 13 at that year) but not regularly. As of now I'm taking a break for a month due to a common cold caused by playing Pump It Up while lacking sleep which is explained in my latest upload.

[@spllitz]

If he can get a PERFECT score on the song "Dead end" then he'll be the best ddr player in the world

[@joshiverson3136]

spllitz ok grandmas boy

[@jacobcapatan2108]

spllitz lol

[@xaostek]

He can and he has, Chris has the world record on it.

[@teholdsedare]

I assume you mean a 300 person tie? LOL

[@harrizmoktar3825]

Max 300?

[@BC-mj2vo]

When Fungah got a perfect streak I almost started crying no lie

[@inujosha]

B C Same.

[@blastoiseddr]

same

[@officialJoCa]

Wow, that's lame as hell.

[@Apocalypse754]

bowl4two get out

[@colekessinger9628]

The is the purest thing I've ever seen.

[@MeowkolaTesla]

9:11 FEFEMZ (ASIA). rofl. doesn't even have a country. this man repping an entire continent!

[@evil1knight]

there nothing more beautiful than pure passion

[@crispymango5626]

SEE?! SEE?! THIS IS WHAT GAMING IS LIKE.

[@Noahtheorigianl]

U should try check out the "Smash bros documentary"

[@SleepyAdam]

I agree, it should always be this positive. So much negativity in gaming communities nowadays. It's good to see one being so happy and just having fun.

[@lysanderjimenea4329]

Caspian Elizabeth lol

[@hayleyscomet3447]

KuiNoah is that the Friday night one?

[@FeamT]

This was really well made and really cool to watch, even for someone who has never played DDR.

[@cheesecakelasagna]

Feam T same! Watching this is inspiring me to try!

[@Jono997]

I'm with you there. And I love how they explained what a PFC is so the impact of the moment it happened could be felt by everyone.

[@jameshuynh-d1223]

I wish more arcades had ddr 😢 I'm stuck playing the same ps2 games for so many years

[@Gl33D]

James Huynh stepmania! Get some nice dance pads and you can play all the ddr you want at home with stepmania with all the songs you can imagine. The community is really great as well

[@quillllly]

Get a pad, download Stepmania, you're good. Otherwise I would recommend seeing if there's a round1 near you. They have a ton of konami rhythm games so if you don't want to go just for DDR then maybe you can go for some Japan exclusive rhythm games. *cough* Sound Voltex *cough*

[@CaveyMoth]

Bring DDR out into the world! I once brought DDR to my college..good times.

[@BatgirlGamer]

I wish they would bring it out for the newer consoles.... I don't own those older systems after they broke

[@eldonhill4840]

@@BatgirlGamer Stepmania! :)

[@davidbadiola3005]

I love how there’s no beef at all. Amazing community

[@erichah1240]

u should see rhythm game twitter, lots of drama

[@KD_Chunithm]

This didn’t aged well

[@KK_Slider96]

My heart was beating so fast in anticipation of the results, it was so tense. What a wonderful documentary! Would absolutely love to see more on Polygon :D

[@Epinardscaramel]

seconded

[@sarahowen2292]

Kieran Robertson I was on the edge of my seat. Was not expecting to be so caught up in it!

[@Caseman984]

I watched it live, it was incredible. The next KAC is coming up soon, watch it!

[@Stevonicus]

This was really fun. It's nice to see competitive gaming where the top people actually like each other. Also super weird to see Nick in this after everything that happened.

[@lovelyardie]

I'm not the only one who caught that? I guess they've had this in the pipeline for a long time..

[@akpokemon]

Huh? Do you guys follow the production team for this company? What happened

[@Gamingslave]

1 min in... Plays blindfolded and gets over 100 combos.... "Damn he's really good" Dude says "that was terrible" "..." (that's enough internet today)

[@acathosh]

I love these documentaries. Would love to see more and longer ones about different gaming communities and championships. This is probably the best kind of work polygon puts out.

[@Renzsu]

Wow ok that was about a million times more fun than I expected :) What a cool community.

[@zzrd6962]

Renzsu I

[@prostatecancer36]

same tbh

[@BrownRicePaddy]

I just thought about it, it's probably damn near impossible to have a toxic DDR community

[@NiceYoutuber]

@@BrownRicePaddy YOU THOUGHT WRONG actually yeah if you go to the itg community its a whole other story

[@THENAMEISQUICKMAN]

@@NiceKZbinr The ITG community doesn't have a rapist as one of the top players bud

[@XanderLars2]

i miss DDR so much. I should save up for my own cabinet. and a house to put it in.

[@BedrockSolid]

I got myself a cabinet, I don't regret it. I would get it if you're willing to put time into it.

[@antoineralic01]

You still can

[@NiceYoutuber]

you can find them in auctions for as low as $200 I got my pump it up machine (similar to ddr) for around $300

[@89tricker]

I love the fact that everyone had surreal sportsmanship, hugging each other after a battle, becoming friends etc. even though they’re from different places in the world. I wish we could all be like this.

[@leena58219]

I started playing DDR when I was 14. I’m 28 now and I still play. One of the best games ever created. Loved this so much. And yes I cried

[@gab_gallard]

The thing that this does not show is that both CHRS4LFE and FEFEMZ are ranking among the top 3-5 "best players of the world" in multiple competitive musical games, with several unreachable world highest scores in a wide variety of games. They're both are out of this world. As a rhythm game player myself I can confidently say that both CHRS4LFE and FEFEMZ maybe the best competitive rhythm players of all time, and is so cool to see them play together.

[@incongruous4]

Not to put them down but I would class them as among the most accurate players out there. There are more than a handful of people out there that are on a whole other level of speed with their feet and hands.

[@AlexRiversMusic]

Chris and FEFEMZ are great and all, but Seth Sanchez (aka HappyFeet) is the best at dance games hands down. In the Groove pushed the boundries light years further than DDR so really that crown goes to daddy HappyFeet ❤️

[@XepherGlow]

Alex Rivers I would argue against that. ITG tends to have simpler patterns, but faster streams. In comparison DDR has complex patterns, full of crossovers and spins. Also, ITG has bigger timing windows than DDR. Happyf33tz has played DDR A, but he hasn't gotten some of the extreme scores that Chris and Fungah has. Happyf33tz is an amazing player, but Chris has proven to be godlike at DDR specifically.

[@Cmmf_]

Alex Rivers Actually, I'd put Matt Gardner on top of the ITG charts. Dude is just crazy fast. I think the fastest he got to was 360bpm 16ths or something that insane

[@elphillo1]

Do they just play dance games or do they play other bemani games as well?

[@xRGTMx]

Jeff’s PFC on TRIP MACHINE EVOLUTION is probably the craziest feat I’ve ever seen in a live DDR broadcast. A few others and I were watching it at a residential complex in Penn State and freaked out when it happened.

[@MrDachsundPower]

They’re so great, even after losing, they are all still good friends. If only all games were like this.

[@cookiessprite]

Love how supportive they all seem of each other! I'm glad they're having fun.

[@RossLlewallyn]

I cried while watching this. I've been thinking about why. This mini-doc creates a compassionate space. Never, not once, in the entire video does anyone question what these players are doing. No one laughs at "dancing with arrows" or chastises these people for caring so much about a video game series. I started playing DDR around the same time that these folks seemed to have. I have never and will never reach these heights. I felt proud that I survived "Sakura" or "Rhythm and Police" and got an A. But I played with friends, even spending time preparing a doubles routine with a friend for a school trip we would be on where we might have a chance to show off. During high school marching band camp in southwest Georgia, I would prioritize claiming the One Big TV in our dorm for DDR purposes only and showing off in this form of expression I had invested so much of my time in. I created custom charts for songs using (IIRC) DDR Extreme 2's creator and showed off custom moves. It's what I was good at. It's been a decade, and I haven't thought about it in a long while. So to then be presented with this: a well-produced, serious look at a moment of the very best DDR playing out there, brought that history back. That focus, that passion. That positivity. Hence: tears. The cross-cultural aspect is also meaningful to me: just yesterday I took a friend of mine to the airport to fly to Japan and live there for the next few years. I think I'll share this timely video with them. Finally, there's a lingering complexity to the mini-doc, as well. For folks that followed Robinson closely, it was probably right under the surface for you, too. He's credited at the end as a producer, to little surprise, since he was probably the most visible DDR fan at Polygon. I don't know in what way he was involved, or if his departure delayed this video's release. I suppose in the end it's nice that something he was a part of could still make it through. I'm so glad to learn of this story. So many of us wouldn't know anything about it; this history wouldn't be captured in this detail, if Polygon weren't there. I wonder what other wonderful moments in the gaming community aren't brought enough to light and how we can support that happening more often.

[@starkaat]

Ross Llewallyn this comment is really good! thank you for sharing.

[@polygon]

Comments like this are why we do what we do. Seriously, thank you so much.

[@h0rcrux774]

wait what?

[@fatherfintanstack8810]

It's just a little lame game that fizzled out. No need to waste time on a dissertation and pour tears over it. Go live your life. Do something worthwhile with all that time. Here I go wasting time as well.

[@lostcosmos3245]

you fucking snowflake, grow up!

[@KingMinionDemon]

more promotion of rhythm games the better

[@Da1chiK]

King Minion more exposure to OSU!

[@Theowest]

They should do osu! next.

[@loFEEzy.]

aand yall ruined it thanks

[@ig188]

Any more exposure to osu! could actually have a negative effect on it.

[@zeroline19]

more toxic players too

[@jeremyquiros5483]

There's a DDR A cabinet about 2 hours from where I live. After seeing this I'm seriously contemplating taking a trip just to check it out.

[@anirecorder2555]

Sad to see the competitive scene of this game died out

[@steamyrobotlove]

I remember buying DDR for PSX the DAY it came to America. Since then, DDR has been one of my favorite games, even though my last stint with it was with SuperNova 2, and Extreme before that. I am a 35 year old man and am thinking of getting back into it for health benefits. Definitely one of my favorites. I love this game.

[@rogerclarkonline]

if you live near a large city, you may have machines around at Dave & Buster's or Round1! www.daveandbusters.com/play-games/dance-dance-revolution-a www.round1usa.com/location/

[@TheGyanreyer]

Holy shit guys, this is so cool! I know it probably takes a lot of work to produce but I'd absolutely love more serious-ish content like this from Polygon.

[@jgowdey]

Co-signed!

[@JuriAmari]

OMG. I’m so glad competitions are still a thing! I really need to look for where DDR A is locally and start playing again. I’m glad a lot of these guys still play. I remember watching their videos back in the day.

[@coolbrotherf127]

DDR and guitar hero were such fun rhythm games. I had a lot of fun with both of them. I don't have a way to play the newest DDR though.

[@LazyCatIsFat]

Such a heartwarming documentary. A huge smile was on my face the entire time.

[@12345678abracadabra]

Such a wholesome documentary. My only complaint is that you guys mentioned KAC is a DDR championship when it is a competition for all of their rhythm games. Obviously, this is about DDR, but it would have been cool if you made a small shout-out, like 5 seconds of honorable mentions. It would have been great to build curiosity for rhythm games in the West.

[@trueaegi]

Yeah, would've been awesome if they showed a bit of SDVX or BMS.

[@dakotaalmanza3196]

I love videos like this cause it showcases the different gaming communities that normally don't have the attention they probably should deserve. These guys are absolutely amazing

[@synaestheticstudios]

Started DDR at age 10. Played tournaments till high school started. Thought I grew out of it. I'm 28 now & I want to play now more than ever. It's like a drug. Only the side effects are improved cardiovascular health, muscle tone, and musical timing.

[@CallMeNevermore]

My dad bought me a Cobalt Flux back in 2006 and I didn't start playing seriously until 2013. Before 2013 I played DDR for a few weeks every year and I watched DDR videos here and there, mostly videos from Chris. I AAA'd most of Max 2 on heavy. Unfortunately I only got about 5 months worth of mileage from my Cobalt Flux during 2013 before it stopped working, right when I started focusing on my footwork. I haven't been able to play on foot since. I get what you mean. This game stays with you because it's wholesome.

[@SobrietyandSolace]

@@CallMeNevermore L-Tek are supposed to be the next best thing in that price range

[@NONO-hz4vo]

@@SobrietyandSolace I have been happy my L-Tek. I don't have the time to build my own or really think it is worth 1k+ for the little extra performance.

[@phyein4815]

Ddr is literally the best and easiest way to lose weight. It literally makes cardio fun and a game. You get all the entertainment of playing a really fun video game while simultaneously getting a cardio workout which is a known mood booster, and these aspects feed into each other. It's an absolutely brilliant combination.

[@DDRsensation]

Holding back moderate tears brb.

[@OzzyOzrock]

SAME

[@ethan-se6yq]

DDRsensation boy shut yo sensitive ass up

[@DDRsensation]

Ethan Ellis they were only moderate

[@cheesecakelasagna]

DDRsensation I think you cockblocked him from making a meme comment comeback

[@bjamiork]

The most I've ever heard Chris speak, damn.

[@GreatMindzDrinkAlike]

Ahh thats what IAMCHRIS4LIFE has been up to since his GH days?? Lol ill always remember his as first person I saw FC TTFAF.

[@quillllly]

he was actually just the first person to fc it in general. ever.

[@Yotipo]

This was so well put together. I'm so glad to see these great spirited players on top!

[@Ace_Wilson]

DDR will always be in a special place in my heart. I have been playing this game since I was around 10 years old and I love it now more than ever. And then once I saw Chris's videos, I instantly became inspired to be the very best I can be (my old youtube name used to be iamchris4lifefan11 actually lol). DDR A coming to America was literally the best thing that could ever happen to us. It practically saved the community.

[@blastoiseddr]

J-Phoenix is that when you transformed into rinon?

[@Ace_Wilson]

Yes, I'm now Rinon4Life lol

[@whatisthis2809]

J-Phoenix ddr4(arrows)life

[@inujosha]

9:14 I noticed an error in the video. It says "With just one song left in the finals, Chris is trailing Brosoni by 35 points." I'm pretty sure they meant to say FEFEMZ.

[@5ch3nk]

DDR was so much fun, huge part of high school for me. My friend Dan was the best I ever got to see play the game. He basically would get home from school, find Stepmania songs to download for hours over dial-up, and make collections of the best ones to pass to our group of friends. Besides going to an actual arcade machine, his set-up and house was the place to play too. RIP Dan, miss you.

[@skyhope5105]

DDR is truly a legend. I haven't played myself so much but even founding about it later on made me think that nothing can replace how special it is. I always wanted to try it. I tried it once. It was so fun.

[@ninjacheese303]

That PFC Jeff pulled off tho was so hype.

[@kurtcrane963]

There's an error in the video. The incorrect name is shown. Chris was 35 behind "fefemz" which chris says and the text on screen says 35 points behind "brosoni".

[@lunarbeing4982]

+

[@sk8mag99]

Yup, caught that too

[@Magneira]

Played a hell of those games, but mostly home it that trash carpet and some friends. Great video, those guys were very cool and passionate, hope DDR gets a real come back

[@aquwuh]

Woa woah wait hold on.......that's round 1 at eastridge.........I live like 5 minutes away holy shit

[@vq5763]

I think Chris is from sj

[@sk8mag99]

Chris was trailing FEFEMZ not BROSONI @9:14

[@ZyflairGriffane]

Honest mistake; you can see the actual scores to know who they really meant.

[@polygon]

Whoops!

[@greendaybowser]

Awesome seeing a video on Chris4Lfe. My cousin and I used to watch him all the time. Also Fungah!! So proud that he was the first to complete Ace For Aces! That was such a rush watching him racing for that and to see him actually do it.

[@KiddKoalaz]

0:06 That mall that they show in the states.. I think that mall is East Ridge in San Jose, California??

[@lucasclark945]

Yeah, he plays there. He even has an award thing hung up on the wall by the card refilling station.

[@garfieldnate]

Mastering a rhythm game is a euphoric experience in itself, and it's amazing for your physical health on top of that. I see that the players had the chance to try out Maimai as well! I wish I could find a proper arcade with modern games (or still running DDR) here in the US. Big congrats to the winners and finalists here; it seemed like they were great examples of sportsmanship. Next competition I would love to see a category with no bar allowed.

[@DjBann]

This makes me want to start playing more again. Been playing since 2001. Don't play nearly as much like i use to now, but still very so often.

[@sylkates]

This is a well-done and entertaining little short about one of my favorite games, and about a side of it I didn't know about. Good job Polygon, and good job Chris4Life and the other champions!

[@halplease]

this story is so incredible :) thanks for documenting this and sharing it!!

[@yyr_]

Oh man, the video of Jeff at 1:35, taken at Catskill Laser Tag in the Palisades Center Mall, West Nyack, NY...I'm pretty sure I was there that day. I might have been the person laughing in the background! Of course, this entire video was amazingly good and I really loved watching it. Find the closest Dave & Buster's or Round1 with DDR A and go play! =)

[@N0t_Alex]

OKAY, CHRIS!!!

[@kappaross6124]

You know, I was expecting this to be another joke video, like Pat picking up DDR for no reason and declaring himself a master. But this was honestly awesome.

[@GDLenter]

Shoutouts to all the amazing players who were the best of their day and life doesn't allow them to opportunity to play on this level! (MegaMan X in particular, one of the world's best players from here in Cleveland). Congrats to Chris on this feature and keeping DDR alive!

[@nirvanasubliminals2849]

Dang, I'm only 16, but I've been playing stepmania since I was about 5... *PLAGUE MIX INTENSIFIES*

[@TheDarKAnjl]

how bout u play some etterna my dude???

[@SwitchyWitch_]

Lmao same

[@LazyPoet101]

>Be me. >A DDR pad. >"Ow."

[@Fire6]

The thing I like about DDR is that you are doing sport and playing at the same time. That aspect is really really cool, I hope there will be more games like that in the future

[@GabyNya06]

"Feelings Won't Fade" is the name of the song at 10:03 for those that were wondering.

[@bewsket]

this vid gives so much good energy and happiness, thanks Polygon

[@UltraTou]

I haven't played DDR in years, but after hearing about what happened at KAC, it got me back into playing rhythm games. I hope in the future we can get more releases (or even a Round1 in Canada please!)

[@EL-jq1sq]

I'm happy for the guy! This was a genuinely heart warming and happy video!

[@jonathann724]

I used to play 24/7 & then stopped during high school but I miss it & this video has kicked up my ddr cravings all over again... I've never forgotten the songs & fun of DDR mixes up until Extreme, excited to try DDR A if there ever is one in NY

[@mastrblastr8662]

It’s so insane to see the footwork and memorization that goes into being a DDR player.

[@emilherbert9494]

this was so wholesome it made me cry???

[@PedroTawa]

I remember breaking some dance pads I lost weight for sure.... one of the best games ever created hopefully it bounces back with a new release

[@Skkitzzo316]

It already has with this current mix, if you're near a Dave and Busters, or a Round 1 in North America they have it.

[@Sneezefox]

I'm so happy for them! I feel really touched by this and im not sure why!

[@captRhay]

this was really cool. i wish ddr was more popular in my country aswell. congrats!

[@RenaRena01]

Aw man this is so awesome!! It brought up so many memories of playing DDR in the arcade for hours and struggling with my crappy home dance pad. 😭 I want to go play DDR now.

[@Kain_R_Heinlein]

RenaRena01 oh, those were the worst. A good home pad requires a fair deal of money heh

[@admstyles]

I'm just here for the bar arguments tbh

[@NissanFigaro]

Yea, the bar kinda sucks, but the couch is the worst.

[@LilMafs]

Bruh chair is worst

[@Janitillo]

Drinking Bar >>> Dancing Bar

[@gab_gallard]

It was reasonable to argue about the bar in 2010, but today's hardest songs, both in DDR and PIU are kinda insane. Mastering a song like "Over The Period" Single Challenge Lv. 19 or a Paradoxx D28 without using the bar is just unreasonable.

[@LFK___]

Hey, aren’t you esteemed cheese coney reviewer Adam “admstyles” Styles?

[@bakuryuthemole]

I've started playing DDR again at a local arcade, they also just got StepManiax which makes it even more exciting to see this game gain momentum with both StepManiax and DDR Ace.

[@isaacdavidson7985]

I can't even begin to process how fast those arrows were coming.

[@rig85]

I really want to play more DDR now. I started on the PS1/PS2 games and had a small group of friends that played up through some of the 360 versions. (Didn't get to play as much in the arcades as I would've wanted to.)

[@phych]

Damn, I remember being in a crew that would do DDR competitions here in LA back in the 1998-2001 era. We had our point player, like the guys in the video, a solo freestyler, and I was part of a duo freestyle. We only did a couple competitions though. Our most popular songs were Put Your Faith In Me for our solo, and Paranoia 180 Left-Right for duo.

[@steijnvanb4634]

im taking the title back to america the soft cheer i really love this video and its amazing to see the ddr community in such greatness, much love to all these players.

[@strawhatvibe]

Omg!! Hahah makes me wanna cry and go back to this era bruh dang freaking love this vlog! I’m a fellow vlogger myself I appreciate you and this video so happy for you guys!!!

[@sapphicanarchy]

What a wholesome, informative and well made documentary!

[@powergannon]

Very good documentary and well made!

[@DefaultMushroom]

"Do a barrel roll" Haven't heard that in a while

[@Catoxis]

This is still one of the best stories about DDR and eSports in the world; thank y'all for making this.