Just Dance 2026 Edition (reviewed on the Nintendo Switch) proves that the franchise still knows how to get people off the couch and onto the dance floor. With 40 new tracks spanning multiple generations, two notable new features, and the Bluey collaboration that kids absolutely love, this year’s edition delivers exactly what you’d want from a Just Dance game – fun, accessible entertainment that works for everyone from young children to adults.
The track list in Just Dance 2026 Edition is varied. You’ve got classic hits like “Viva la Vida” by Coldplay and “Girls Just Want to Have Fun” by Cyndi Lauper sitting alongside current chart-toppers like “APT.” by ROSÉ and Bruno Mars and “Houdini” by Dua Lipa. This mix of old and new means you’re not stuck with just one demographic – whether you’re hosting a party with friends or playing with family across different age groups, there’s something for everyone.
Songs like “Counting Stars” by OneRepublic, “Hung Up” by Madonna, and “All Star” by Smash Mouth bridge different generations perfectly. There are 40 tracks total, covering everything from the newest hits to beloved classics, ensuring there’s a song for every mood and moment.
The game balances difficulty levels across its song selection as well. Some tracks feature more complex choreography that’ll challenge experienced players, particularly the Extreme or alternative versions of popular songs. Meanwhile, songs like the Bluey Medley and “La Bamba” offer simpler, more accessible routines perfect for younger children or those just starting out.
As someone with a 5-year-old at home, I can say that Just Dance 2026 Edition works brilliantly as a family game. My son has moved past the Baby Shark phase (though it’s still in the game if your little ones enjoy it), but he absolutely loves the Bluey Medley. The partnership with BBC Studios and Ludo Studio brings Bluey and Bingo to life, including iconic scenes from the hit series that fans will immediately recognise. The first challenge was to actually get him to move and not fixated on watching the clips, but everyone will get past that too.
The Bluey content isn’t just thrown in as a gimmick either. The choreography is fun and simple enough for young kids to follow, but engaging enough that adults don’t feel like they’re just going through the motions. It’s become one of our go-to songs when the whole family wants to play together.
Beyond Bluey, there are plenty of other kid-friendly options that don’t feel exclusively childish and my son has been enjoying the more-adult songs too. I also like that you can filter out the songs based on the Genre, number of players, etc.
The new Party Mode introduces Dr. Gigavolt’s Lab, where players can team up for an unpredictable dance showdown with visual or action disruptors appearing during songs. These disruptors challenge your rhythm and reflexes by throwing unexpected elements into your dance routine, creating chaotic and entertaining moments.
In practice, Party Mode is fun when you want to mix things up, though I found myself gravitating back to standard song selection most of the time. When you know what songs you love, it’s natural to just pick those rather than let the game choose for you. That said, Party Mode really shines when you’ve got a group of people looking for something different or when you want to add challenge without manually selecting harder difficulty levels.
The mode supports up to 6 players locally and works with all songs from Just Dance 2023, 2024, 2025, and 2026 Editions, plus Music Packs and Just Dance+ content. This compatibility means you’re not limited to just the base game songs, which significantly extends the mode’s replay value. It’s worth noting that all content you own from the 2023, 2024, 2025, or 2026 Edition of Just Dance is available in one place, making it easy to access your entire library.
The Camera Controller mode has graduated from beta testing and is now officially launched in Just Dance 2026 Edition. This is honestly how Just Dance should have always been played. Instead of relying solely on the motion controller in your right hand – which, let’s be honest, you could game by just sitting on the couch and waving around (I tried this a few times and got 5 stars) – the Camera Controller uses your smartphone camera as a full-body motion recognition tool.
Your phone’s camera detects your entire body’s movements and compares them to the coach’s choreography on screen. The closer your moves match the coach’s, the higher your score. This means you actually have to dance properly rather than just flailing your right arm about. It adds a level of precision and challenge that makes high scores feel earned rather than cheesy.
It’s currently single-player only, which is the biggest limitation. Being able to use this feature with multiple players simultaneously would make it perfect (but definitely has technology limitations and challenges), but even as a solo experience, it’s a significant improvement over traditional controller-based gameplay.
Beyond the standard dance routines, Just Dance 2026 Edition includes some hilarious content that works brilliantly at parties. Case in point: Tetris. Yes, there’s a Tetris-themed dance routine, and it’s exactly as ridiculous as it sounds. We actually used this during our housewarming dinner last week, and it absolutely lifted the party mood. There’s something about getting a group of adults to dance to Tetris that breaks down any remaining social barriers and gets everyone laughing. These quirky song choices add personality to the game and create memorable moments that straight pop songs just can’t match.
The game includes a 1-month Just Dance+ subscription with the standard edition, giving you free access to hundreds of additional songs beyond the base 40. The Ultimate Edition bumps this up to a 12-month subscription, which is worth considering if you plan to play regularly.
Backwards Compatibility and Free Experience
Just Dance 2026 Edition is playable on Nintendo Switch 2 through backwards compatibility, which is good future-proofing for early adopters of Nintendo’s new console. The game is also available on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S.
For those new to the series or unsure about committing, Ubisoft offers a Just Dance Free Experience that you can download directly from your console’s store. This gives you single-use tokens to try a selection of songs before deciding whether to purchase the full game. It’s a smart way to let people test the waters without any financial commitment.
Just Dance 2026 Edition Review Conclusion
Just Dance 2026 Edition delivers exactly what the franchise is known for: accessible, entertaining gameplay that works for all ages and skill levels. The song selection covers multiple generations, from kids’ favourites like Bluey or Baby Shark to current hits and classic tracks that’ll get older players moving. The variety in difficulty levels means both newcomers and experienced dancers can find their challenge level.
If you’re looking for a game that can entertain a 5-year-old, challenge teenagers, get adults laughing together, or looking for fun ways to exercise, Just Dance 2026 Edition definitely delivers.
