If you were anywhere near a gaming console in late 2017, you probably remember the neon-soaked fever dream that was the songs in 2018 Just Dance. It was a weird, transitional year for pop music. We were moving away from the EDM-heavy mid-2010s and sliding into this era of Latin-infused global hits and quirky TikTok-ready beats before TikTok was even the monster it is today.
Ubisoft Paris honestly had a massive job on their hands. They had to curate a list that worked for seven-year-olds at birthday parties and also for the hardcore fans who treat the World Cup qualifiers like an Olympic sport. They kind of nailed it. But looking back, there’s a lot of nuance in that tracklist that people totally overlook. It wasn't just about the Top 40.
The Heavy Hitters: Songs in 2018 Just Dance That Defined the Year
When you fire up the game, the first thing that hits you is the sheer dominance of Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee. "Despacito" wasn't just a song; it was a cultural shift. It’s the centerpiece of the songs in 2018 Just Dance lineup.
Interestingly, the version we got in the game wasn't the Justin Bieber remix. It was the original. That was a smart move by Ubisoft because it kept the vibe authentic. The choreography for it is iconic now—lots of hip movement, very fluid, but surprisingly accessible for beginners.
📖 Related: Finding Every GTA Vice City Hidden Packages Map PS2 Location Without Losing Your Mind
Then you have "Shape of You" by Ed Sheeran. Honestly? It's kind of a "love it or hate it" track in the community. The routine is a bit more restrained than your average Just Dance high-energy blast, which reflects Ed Sheeran’s vibe, I guess. But if you're looking for the pure adrenaline that the franchise is known for, you look at "24K Magic" by Bruno Mars. That routine is pure gold. It’s funky. It’s fast. It makes you feel way cooler than you actually look in your living room.
The K-Pop Breakthrough
We can't talk about 2018 without mentioning "Bubble Pop!" by HyunA. This was a massive moment. While Just Dance had dabbled in K-Pop before with Psy, "Bubble Pop!" felt like a nod to the growing "Stans" culture that was starting to take over the internet.
The choreography is playful and high-energy. It’s one of those tracks where if you aren't sweating by the end, you probably weren't doing it right. It paved the way for the massive Blackpink and K/DA inclusions we saw in later installments like Just Dance 2020 and 2022.
Why the "Obscure" Tracks Are Actually the Best Part
Most people just scroll for the hits. They want Katy Perry’s "Swish Swish"—which, by the way, features the "Backpack Kid" floss dance, a total time capsule of 2017/2018 culture. But the real soul of the songs in 2018 Just Dance lies in the international and "troll" tracks.
Take "Automaton" by Jamiroquai. It’s weird. It’s spacey. The costume design for the dancer—that glowing, mechanical helmet—is one of the most visually stunning things Ubisoft has ever put in the game. It’s not a song you’d expect to be a "dance" hit, but it works because it challenges you to move in ways that aren't just standard pop-and-lock.
🔗 Read more: NCAA 25 Conference Realignment: How to Fix the Chaos and Create Your Own Super-Leagues
Then there’s "Daddy Cool" by Groove Century. It's a cover of the Boney M. classic. It’s goofy. It’s basically a requirement for any family gathering. These songs provide the "palette cleanser" between the high-intensity pop tracks. Without them, the game would feel a bit too much like a radio station and not enough like a game.
The Nintendo Switch "Double Rumble" Factor
Just Dance 2018 was a big deal because it was the first one built with the Nintendo Switch in mind from the ground up (since the Switch launched earlier that year). This changed how some of the songs in 2018 Just Dance were mapped. Specifically, the "Double Rumble" feature.
If you played "Instruction" by Jax Jones featuring Demi Lovato and Stefflon Don on the Switch, you felt the HD Rumble mimicking the percussion. It was subtle. Most people didn't even notice it consciously, but it made the feedback loop of dancing feel way more tactile. It’s those little technical details that separate a good rhythm game from a great one.
The Full Standard Tracklist (A Quick Refresher)
You’ve got 40 tracks on the base disc. Here’s a look at some of the standouts that people still play today via Just Dance+ or Unlimited:
- "Chantaje" – Shakira ft. Maluma (Essential Latin pop energy)
- "John Wayne" – Lady Gaga (Underrated, high-intensity rock-pop)
- "Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)" – Shakira (The 2010 World Cup throwback nobody asked for but everyone loved)
- "Side to Side" – Ariana Grande ft. Nicki Minaj (Great for rhythm-heavy footwork)
- "Naughty Girl" – Beyoncé (A classic Diva track)
- "Rockabye" – Clean Bandit ft. Sean Paul & Anne-Marie
- "The Way I Are (Dance With Somebody)" – Bebe Rexha ft. Lil Wayne
There’s also "Blue (Da Ba Dee)" by the Hit the Electro Beat. It’s a cover, sure, but the nostalgia factor is off the charts. Watching a blue-skinned avatar do 90s dance moves is basically the peak Just Dance experience.
Addressing the "Just Dance Unlimited" Elephant in the Room
One thing that people get wrong about the songs in 2018 Just Dance is thinking the 40 songs on the disc are all you get. This was the year Ubisoft really started pushing Just Dance Unlimited.
If you had a subscription, you suddenly had access to over 300 songs. It changed the value proposition. You weren't just buying a 2018 game; you were buying a portal to the history of the series. They even added "How Far I'll Go" from Disney’s Moana as a free update for a limited time. That kind of live-service model started to solidify here, for better or worse.
👉 See also: Why Dragon Age Inquisition Characters Are Still The Standard For RPG Writing
Technical Limitations and Legacy
We have to be honest: 2018 was the last year the game was released on the Wii. Not the Wii U. The original Wii. The console from 2006.
Think about that.
The Wii version of the songs in 2018 Just Dance didn't have the fancy HD graphics or the Unlimited streaming service. It was a stripped-back experience. But the fact that Ubisoft kept supporting it shows just how massive the "casual" market for this game really is. There are still retirement homes and elementary schools using those original Wii discs because they just work.
How to Get the Most Out of These Tracks Today
If you're looking to revisit these songs, don't just mindlessly wave the remote. The "Sweat Mode" in 2018 was actually pretty decent at tracking calories if you were honest with your movements.
Pro Tip: If you're playing the "Extreme" versions—like the alternate routine for "John Wayne"—you need to focus on your core. The 2018 Extreme routines were notoriously unforgiving with their scoring windows.
Actionable Steps for Just Dance Fans:
- Check for Just Dance+ Compatibility: If you've moved on to the 2023 or 2024 editions, many of these 2018 tracks are available in the subscription library. "Despacito" and "24K Magic" are staples that aren't going anywhere.
- Master the "Gold Moves": In the 2018 edition, Gold Moves are often tied to the "drop" of the song. Timing these perfectly is the difference between a "Megastar" and a "Superstar" rank.
- Use the Controller App: If you don't have enough Joy-Cons or Move controllers for a party, the Just Dance Controller app turns your smartphone into a tracker. It’s surprisingly accurate for most of the songs in 2018 Just Dance, though it can be a bit laggy on older Wi-Fi networks.
- Explore the Alternates: Don't just play the main versions. The "Fitness" or "Extreme" versions of the 2018 tracks often have entirely different choreography that's more rewarding once you've memorized the basics.
The 2018 era was a sweet spot for the franchise. It had the right mix of global superstardom and quirky, "only in Just Dance" weirdness. Whether you're doing the floss in "Swish Swish" or trying to keep up with the K-Pop intensity of "Bubble Pop!", these songs remain some of the best the series has ever seen. Just make sure you clear the coffee table before you start the "Extreme" routines. Trust me.