Honestly, walking into a room and seeing someone try to nail the "Despacito" choreography is a core memory for anyone who owned a console in 2017. It was everywhere. But even years later, people are still firing up their old consoles to find the Just Dance 2018 Xbox One song list because, let’s be real, the newer "subscription-first" editions feel a bit different.
There is something tactile and permanent about this specific era of the franchise. It was the sweet spot. You had the high-def polish of the Xbox One, but the Kinect wasn’t totally a ghost of Christmas past yet.
The Core Tracks You Actually Remember
Ubisoft didn't hold back on the licenses for this one. You've got the heavy hitters like Ed Sheeran’s "Shape of You" and Bruno Mars’ "24K Magic." Those are the ones that usually get people off the couch. But the real soul of the 2018 edition lies in the weird, deep cuts that somehow became favorites.
"Beep Beep I'm a Sheep" by LilDeuceDeuce? It’s ridiculous. It’s a meme. And yet, if you’ve ever tried to do that dance at a party, you know it’s surprisingly exhausting.
Here is the thing: the base game came with over 40 tracks. If you’re digging through your closet for that purple disc, here is a breakdown of what you’re actually getting on the hardware without paying for a single extra subscription:
- The Modern Pop Staples: "Side to Side" (Ariana Grande ft. Nicki Minaj), "Swish Swish" (Katy Perry ft. Nicki Minaj), and "Bad Liar" by Selena Gomez.
- The "I Can't Believe This Is Here" Classics: "Another One Bites the Dust" by Queen and "Footloose" by Kenny Loggins (well, a cover version, but it still slaps).
- The K-Pop and International Flavor: "Bubble Pop!" by HyunA and the inevitable "Chantaje" by Shakira.
- The Weird Stuff: "In the Hall of the Pixel King" and "Daddy Cool" (Boney M. cover).
The Kinect Factor on Xbox One
If you’re playing on Xbox One, you’re likely in one of two camps. You’re either using the Kinect sensor or you’ve got a smartphone clutched in your hand like a life raft.
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Kinect users actually got the better end of the deal here. While the Kinect was already being phased out by Microsoft at the time, Just Dance 2018 was one of the last titles to really use it well. It tracks your whole body. That means no "cheating" by just shaking your right hand while sitting on the sofa.
There’s a specific frustration, though. If you have the newer Xbox One S or the One X, you needed that clunky adapter to even plug the Kinect in. If you lost that adapter in a move, you’re basically stuck using the mobile app.
What about Just Dance Unlimited?
This is where the confusion usually starts. When you look at the Just Dance 2018 Xbox One song list, you’ll see some lists online that mention 300+ songs.
Don't be fooled.
The disc only has the 40-ish tracks. The rest were part of Just Dance Unlimited. Back then, buying the game new usually got you a three-month trial. Today? The service is a bit of a moving target. Ubisoft eventually shifts focus to the newer "Just Dance+" for the current-gen games, so if you're looking for specific DLC tracks from 2018, your mileage may vary depending on current server status.
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The Kids Mode "Secret"
A lot of people overlook the Kids Mode. It wasn't just a playlist change; it was a total UI overhaul. They brought in child development experts to make sure the choreo was actually doable for a six-year-old.
It featured songs like "Amazing Girl" and "Fearless Pirate." It’s basically a babysitter in a box. If you have younger siblings or kids, this was arguably the best version of the "Kids Mode" before it started feeling a bit more generic in later years.
Why 2018 Still Holds Up
So why do people keep coming back to this specific year?
The interface was clean. It didn't feel like a giant advertisement for a subscription service yet. You could just turn it on, select "Waka Waka," and look like a fool in your living room.
The tracking on Xbox One was also remarkably stable. Whether you were doing the high-energy "Dharma" or the slower "How Far I'll Go" from Moana, the game rarely missed a beat.
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A Quick Reality Check on the Tracklist
Some tracks are covers. This is a common gripe. "Blue (Da Ba Dee)" isn't the original Eiffel 65 version; it’s by "Hit the Electro Beat." It sounds close, but if you're a purist, it might bug you.
On the flip side, "Naughty Girl" by Beyoncé and "John Wayne" by Lady Gaga are the real deal. Ubisoft spent the money where it counted.
Actionable Tips for the Best Experience
If you're dusting off your copy today, do these three things:
- Check your lighting: If using Kinect, shadows are your enemy. Turn on a lamp.
- Clear the floor: The 2018 choreo has a lot of side-to-side movement (especially in "Shape of You"). You'll trip over a coffee table.
- Update the game: Even if you aren't subbing to Unlimited, there were several patches that fixed the "World Dance Floor" (the online multiplayer mode) which made the lag much more bearable.
Just Dance 2018 isn't just a time capsule of 2017's radio hits; it's arguably the peak of the Xbox One's life as a motion-controlled machine. Grab the disc, find a partner for "Kissing Strangers," and try not to pull a muscle.