Honestly, if you grew up with a Nintendo Wii or a Kinect gathering dust in your living room, you probably have the whistling intro of Maroon 5’s "Moves Like Jagger" burned into your subconscious. It is one of those songs that defined an entire era of pop culture. But in the world of rhythm games, Moves Like Jagger Just Dance isn't just another track on a long list. It is a specific kind of core memory for millions of players.
When Ubisoft first dropped this on the Just Dance 4 tracklist back in 2012, they weren't just adding a radio hit. They were creating a blueprint for what a "solo male" routine should look like in a game that, up to that point, often leaned heavily into group choreo or more feminine-coded movements. It was flashy, it was peacocky, and it perfectly captured Adam Levine’s specific brand of "model-walking-on-a-stage" energy.
The Evolution of the Jagger Routine
The thing most people forget is that there isn't just one version of this dance. If you’ve played the series over the last decade, you’ve likely seen three or four different iterations, depending on which console you owned or which subscription service you paid for.
The original Just Dance 4 version features a male coach who basically looks like he walked out of a high-end vintage shop. He’s wearing a blue vest, a skinny tie, and eventually cycles through various outfits including a Union Jack-inspired rocker look and a purple jacket with yellow shutter shades. This coach—affectionately known by the community as the "Jagger Coach"—is one of the most expressive dancers in the early franchise.
The Battle Mode and the Rickroll
Wait, do you remember the Battle Mode? This was a huge selling point for Just Dance 4. You could actually pit "Moves Like Jagger" against Rick Astley’s "Never Gonna Give You Up."
In this mode, the health bars at the top of the screen would shift based on how well you were performing. If you won a round, the song would switch to your track, forcing your opponent to dance to your music. It was chaotic. Seeing the "Jagger Coach" go head-to-head with the "Never Gonna Give You Up" guy (Mister Overload) remains one of the peak moments of 2010s gaming.
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Technical Details and Difficulty
For the completionists out there, the classic routine is rated as a "Medium" or "2/5" difficulty depending on the game version. It’s not an "Extreme" routine like some of the Gaga or Skrillex tracks, but it’s deceptively tricky.
The move count sits at 167. You have 125 pictograms to follow (though this was bumped up to 138 in the newer Just Dance+ version). There are exactly three Gold Moves. Most players struggle with the "whistle" sections because the timing is a bit more syncopated than you’d expect. You’re not just moving your arms; you’re supposed to be mimicking that strutting, loose-limbed Mick Jagger style.
If you’re playing on a legacy system like the Xbox 360 with Kinect, the tracking is actually quite forgiving on this one, mostly because the coach’s movements are so large and exaggerated. On the Switch, however, you really have to snap your Joy-Con to get those "Perfect" ratings on the hand-flourishes.
Where Can You Play It Today?
This is where things get a bit complicated. Licensing in music games is a nightmare. Songs come and go like seasons.
For a long time, "Moves Like Jagger" was a staple of Just Dance Unlimited, the subscription service that launched with Just Dance 2016. However, a massive purge happened in 2024. Due to expiring licenses, Ubisoft removed a huge chunk of songs from the Unlimited catalog, and for a few months, it looked like Jagger was gone for good.
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Fortunately, it made a comeback. As of late 2024 and heading into 2026, the song is now officially part of Just Dance+, the newer subscription service available for Just Dance 2023 Edition and later.
If you still have your old discs, you can find it here:
- Just Dance 4: The original home of the song.
- Just Dance 2014 & 2015: It was released as DLC (Downloadable Content) for these titles.
- Just Dance Now: The mobile/web version (though availability here fluctuates).
- Just Dance Wii U: It was on the base tracklist for the Japanese-exclusive Wii U title.
The "Mandela Effect" and the Outfits
There is a weirdly specific online debate about the coach’s hair and glasses. Some players swear the coach had a top hat for the whole song. He doesn't. He actually goes through multiple "costume changes" that happen instantly during the chorus.
He starts with a blue vest and tie, shifts into the British flag pants, and ends the routine with that tiger-stripe cut-out jacket and purple sneakers. It was one of the first times Ubisoft used "dynamic" outfit changes mid-routine to keep the visual energy up. It’s a small detail, but it’s why the map feels so much more high-budget than some of the other JD4 tracks.
Why This Track Still Hits in 2026
We’ve seen hundreds of songs come through the franchise since 2012. We’ve had K-Pop megahits, viral TikTok dances, and complex 6-player routines. Yet, "Moves Like Jagger" remains one of the most requested "Legacy" tracks whenever a new game launches.
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The reason is simple: it’s accessible. You don't need to be a trained dancer to feel like you're doing well. The choreography relies on attitude rather than technical precision. It’s about the swagger. When that whistle hits, everyone in the room knows exactly what to do.
Actionable Tips for a High Score
If you're trying to Megastar this track on Just Dance+, keep these technical pointers in mind:
Focus on the right hand. In almost all Just Dance versions, the game primarily tracks your right hand (or the Joy-Con in your right hand). When the coach does the "Jagger Point," make sure your wrist is flicking with enough force to register the motion.
Don't over-dance the whistle. The most common mistake is moving too fast during the whistling segments. The rhythm is slightly slower than the beat of the drums. Watch the pictograms at the bottom—they usually "pulse" right before you need to move.
Master the Gold Moves. 1. The first is during the "Take me by the tongue" line—you need to strike a pose with your hand near your mouth.
2. The second is the iconic "Jagger strut" during the bridge.
3. The final Gold Move is the finishing pose. If you miss this, you lose out on a massive point bonus at the very end.
Check your version. If you are playing the Just Dance 4 version on an old Wii, remember that the tracking is based on infrared/accelerometers. Wide, sweeping motions work best. If you're on the modern Just Dance+ (2023-2026 editions), the tracking is much more sensitive to "snapping" movements.
Whether you're revisiting this for the nostalgia or trying to get a workout in, "Moves Like Jagger" remains the gold standard for what a pop-rock routine should be. It’s loud, it’s colorful, and it’s arguably the most fun you can have with a virtual whistle.