# Dance Central 3

Dance Central 3 is a 2012 rhythm game developed by Harmonix and Backbone Entertainment and published by Microsoft Studios for the Xbox 360 Kinect. It is the sequel to Dance Central 2 (2011) and the third installment in the Dance Central series. It was released on October 16, 2012, in the Americas, and October 19 everywhere else.
A sequel to the game, titled Dance Central Spotlight, was released for the Xbox One Kinect on September 2, 2014.

## Gameplay

The core gameplay for Dance Central 3 follows the same formula as the previous games in the series. One or two players must mimic what the dancer is doing on the screen with Flashcards for guidance, players earn points depending on how well they perform each move, and their score determines how many Stars they earn.
Dance Central 3 features a new mode called Crew Throwdown. In this mode, 2–8 players compete against each other. After each team poses for a crew photo, the game will choose a song and one of the four types of modes to play it in. Those modes are:
* Perform: A standard mode where players dance to the routine. Occasionally, the game will stop counting points for one player and focus on the other. A minigame called "Free For All", in which players are given random moves and compete to perform them first, can appear in during a routine, and "Strike A Pose" can appear after routines.
* Keep The Beat: A freestyle-esque mini-game where players stay in beat to the song for points. Consecutive positive ratings and more unique moves will give the players more points.
* Strike A Pose: A minigame where players mimic the poses the characters are doing for points. Performing more moves in a row increases the number of points players can get. If a player misses a pose, they have to wait for a short period of time before they can start posing again.
* Showdown: This mode functions the same way as Perform with the exception of who plays against who. In this final round, as opposed to the game choosing someone from each team, any player from each team can face off against each other.
The game also has a new Live Challenge feature. In this mode, players can compete to beat scores set by other players connected to Xbox Live.
Additionally, the game features a new level system. Points are given based on number of Stars earned in a song. Players can also earn bonus points by playing harder songs and routines, playing new songs, passing gold moves, passing 100% of the routine's moves, and completing story milestones. Leveling up rewards the player with unlockables, specifically new outfits and new characters.

## Plot

The player is recruited into Dance Central Intelligence (DCI) by Rasa and Lima to stop Dr. Tan's plans of world domination. Having received intel that he is using dance moves from the last five decades as a part of his plans, DCI has sent dance crews back in time to learn these moves to use them against him. As part of their mission, the player time travels to find these crews and return them back to the present by learning the dance craze of their decade. This is done by collecting Power Moves found in routines and putting them together to unlock a new routine based on the craze. Additionally, they must dance enough to power Boomy, a boombox enabling them to time travel, to travel back to the present. Dr. Tan's armies have spread to the point where the DCI headquarters are the only safe place left, so it is imperative that the crews are brought back as soon as possible.
The player travels to the seventies to meet Lu$h Crew and learn the Hustle, the eighties to meet Hi-Def and learn the Electric Slide, the nineties to meet Flash4wrd and learn the Macarena, and the 2000s to meet Riptide and learn the Cupid Shuffle. In the meantime, DCI investigated the head devices that members of Dr. Tan's army are wearing in search of countermeasures. Additionally, Dare and MacCoy, two DCI agents who had gone missing, were found, albeit as a part of Dr. Tan's army via mind control. While the player is in the 2000s, DCI is attacked by Dr. Tan's army, and when they come back, Emilia and Bodie are forcefully taken away. They, along with all the other crews brought to DCI HQ, were revealed to have been sent to the prehistoric era by Dr. Tan. After freeing Rasa and Lima from his mind control, the analysis on their head devices finishes and reveals their weakness: creative expression. After learning that the craze of the 2010s is the Scream, the player then time travels to the future, where Dr. Tan seeks to dominate the world by controlling everyone's dance moves. He, his new robots, and his mind-controlled son Oblio are defeated by the player in a dance battle using the crazes they previously learned. With the encouragement of a now liberated Oblio, they trap Dr. Tan in the time stream with freestyle dancing and return to DCI HQ.
While the player was battling Dr. Tan in the future, all the dance crews were rescued and brought back to the present, including Dare and MacCoy.

### Master Quests

Once the player completes the Story mode, Master Quests become available. These quests contain all the songs each crew is defaulted for in Dance Central 3, and once the player earns all the Stars within each quest, they unlock a QR code, which could be scanned to view art of the in-game characters. This feature is no longer available; scanning the code now redirects the player to the main Dance Central website.

## Characters

Dance Central 3 features returning characters from previous Dance Central games as well as new characters. Like in Dance Central 2, characters are divided into pairs as crews. Each crew featured in the story campaign also has a venue associated with them. There are 20 characters total, with 10 being available from the start and 10 being unlockables.
* Dance Central Intelligence (DCI): Includes Rasa and Lima, two new characters. Their associated venue is DCI HQ.
* Lu$h Crew: Includes Miss Aubrey and Angel. Their associated venue is Free Skate.
* Hi-Def: Includes Mo and Glitch. Their associated venue is Toprock Ave.
* Flash4wrd: Includes Taye and Li'l T. Their associated venue is Invite Only.
* Riptide: Includes Emilia and Bodie. Their associated venue is Studio 675.
* D-Coy: Includes Dare and MacCoy. Unlockable by completing story mode.
* The Glitterati: Includes Kerith and Jaryn. Unlockable by leveling up.
* Murder of Crows (M.O.C.): Includes Dr. Tan and Oblio. Their associated venue is Crow's Nest. Unlockable by leveling up.
* Icon Crew: Includes Marcos and Frenchy. Unlockable by leveling up.
* Ninja Crew: Includes Shinju and Kichi. Unlockable by leveling up.
* D-Cypher: Includes CYPH-56 and CYPH-78. Unlockable by leveling up
Most characters have two alternative outfits that can be unlocked by leveling up, one being their Crew Look from their appearances in previous Dance Central games and the other being their DCI Agent outfit. Additionally, most characters who appeared in the first Dance Central game have an extra DC Classic outfit based on their appearances in said game.

## Soundtrack
### Songs

The following 46 songs appear on the Dance Central 3 disc.
| Song | Artist | Year | Choreographer | Difficulty (Out of 7) | Crew | Default Character & Outfit | Default Venue |
| "1, 2 Step" | Ciara ft. Missy Elliott | 2004 | Chanel Thompson | 2 | Riptide | Emilia – Retro Fitted | Studio 675 |
| "Ain't 2 Proud 2 Beg" | TLC | 1991 | Frenchy Hernandez | 4 | Flash4wrd | Taye – Retro Fitted | Invite Only |
| "Around the World" | Daft Punk | 1997 | Kunle Oladehin | 6 | Hi-Def | Mo – DCI Agent | DCI HQ |
| "Bass Down Low" | Dev ft. The Cataracs | 2010 | Nick DeMoura | 5 | DCI | Rasa – DCI Agent | DCI HQ |
| "Better Off Alone" | Alice DeeJay | 1998 | Marcos Aguirre | 1 | Lu$h Crew | Angel – DCI Agent | DCI HQ |
| "Beware of the Boys (Mundian To Bach Ke)" | Panjabi MC | 1997 | Ricardo Foster Jr. | 5 | Hi-Def | Glitch – DCI Agent | Toprock Ave. |
| "Boom Boom Pow" | Black Eyed Peas | 2009 | Marcos Aguirre | 3 | Flash4wrd | Li'l T. – DCI Agent | Studio 675 |
| "Boyfriend" | Justin Bieber | 2012 | Torey Nelson | 3 | DCI | Rasa – DCI Agent | DCI HQ |
| "Calabria (2008)" | Enur ft. Natasja | 2008 | Chanel Thompson | 5 | Riptide | Emilia – Retro Fitted | Studio 675 |
| "Ching-a-Ling" | Missy Elliott | 2008 | Frenchy Hernandez | 5 | Lu$h Crew | Miss Aubrey – DCI Agent | DCI HQ |
| "Cupid Shuffle" | Cupid | 2007 | Devin Woolridge | 3 | Riptide | Bodie – Retro Fitted | Studio 675 |
| "Da Butt" | E.U. | 1988 | Ricardo Foster Jr. | 3 | Hi-Def | Mo – Retro Fitted | Toprock Ave. |
| "Disco Inferno" | The Trammps | 1976 | Frenchy Hernandez | 3 | Lu$h Crew | Miss Aubrey – Retro Fitted | Free Skate |
| "Electric Boogie" | Marcia Griffiths | 1982 | Kunle Oledehin | 4 | Hi-Def | Mo – Retro Fitted | Toprock Ave. |
| "Everybody (Backstreet's Back)" | Backstreet Boys | 1997 | Spikey Soria | 4 | Flash4wrd | Li'l T. – Retro Fitted | Invite Only |
| "Firework" | Katy Perry | 2010 | Chanel Thompson | 3 | Riptide | Emilia – DCI Agent | Studio 675 |
| "Get Low" | Lil Jon & The East Side Boyz ft. Ying Yang Twins | 2003 | Devin Woolridge | 5 | Riptide | Bodie – Retro Fitted | Studio 675 |
| "Hello" | Martin Solveig ft. Dragonette | 2010 | Marcos Aguirre | 5 | Lu$h Crew | Miss Aubrey – DCI Agent | Crow's Nest |
| "I Am the Best" | 2NE1 | 2011 | Frenchy Hernandez | 5 | Flash4wrd | Taye – DCI Agent | Crow's Nest |
| "I Will Survive" | Gloria Gaynor | 1978 | Frenchy Hernandez | 3 | Lu$h Crew | Miss Aubrey – Retro Fitted | Free Skate |
| "Ice Ice Baby" | Vanilla Ice | 1990 | Marcos Aguirre | 3 | Flash4wrd | Li'l T. – Retro Fitted | Toprock Ave. |
| "In Da Club" | 50 Cent | 2003 | Devin Woolridge | 2 | Riptide | Bodie – Retro Fitted | Studio 675 |
| "Let the Music Play" | Shannon | 1983 | Ricardo Foster Jr. | 4 | Hi-Def | Glitch – Retro Fitted | Toprock Ave. |
| "Macarena (Bayside Boys Mix)" | Los Del Rio | 1996 | Frenchy Hernandez | 2 | Flash4wrd | Taye – Retro Fitted | Invite Only |
| "Moves Like Jagger" | Maroon 5 ft. Christina Aguilera | 2011 | Devin Woolridge | 6 | Riptide | Bodie – DCI Agent | Toprock Ave. |
| "Mr. Saxobeat" | Alexandra Stan | 2011 | Marcos Aguirre | 4 | DCI | Lima – DCI Agent | DCI HQ |
| "Now That We Found Love" | Heavy D & The Boyz | 1991 | Chanel Thompson | 6 | Flash4wrd | Taye – Retro Fitted | Invite Only |
| "OMG" | Usher ft. will.i.am | 2010 | Aakomon "AJ" Jones and Usher | 7 | DCI | Rasa – DCI Agent | DCI HQ |
| "On The Floor" | Jennifer Lopez ft. Pitbull | 2011 | Chanel Thompson | 5 | Riptide | Emilia – DCI Agent | DCI HQ |
| "Samba de Janeiro" | Bellini | 1999 | Devin Woolridge | 5 | Riptide | Bodie – Crew Look | Toprock Ave. |
| "Scream" | Usher | 2012 | Aakomon "AJ" Jones and Usher | 5 | DCI | Rasa – DCI Agent | DCI HQ |
| "Sexy and I Know It" | LMFAO | 2011 | Torey Nelson | 6 | DCI | Lima – DCI Agent | DCI HQ |
| "Starships" | Nicki Minaj | 2012 | Torey Nelson | 2 | DCI | Rasa – DCI Agent | DCI HQ |
| "Stereo Love" | Edward Maya & Vika Jigulina | 2009 | Marcos Aguirre | 4 | Lu$h Crew | Angel – DC Classic | Studio 675 |
| "Stronger (What Doesn't Kill You)" | Kelly Clarkson | 2012 | Spikey Soria | 7 | Flash4wrd | Li'l T. – DCI Agent | Invite Only |
| "Supersonic" | J.J. Fad | 1988 | Ricardo Foster Jr. | 6 | Hi-Def | Glitch – Retro Fitted | Toprock Ave. |
| "Tan-Step" | M-Cue | 2012 | Ricardo Foster Jr. | 5 | Murder of Crows | Oblio – Crew Look | Crow's Nest |
| "Take Over Control" | Afrojack ft. Eva Simons | 2010 | Spikey Soria | 5 | Flash4wrd | Taye – DCI Agent | Crow's Nest |
| "Teach Me How to Dougie" | Cali Swag District | 2010 | Torey Nelson | 5 | DCI | Lima – DCI Agent | DCI HQ |
| "The Hustle" | Van McCoy | 1975 | Marcos Aguirre | 1 | Lu$h Crew | Angel – Retro Fitted | Free Skate |
| "Turn the Beat Around" | Vicki Sue Robinson | 1976 | Marcos Aguirre | 3 | Lu$h Crew | Angel – Retro Fitted | Free Skate |
| "(When You Gonna) Give It Up to Me" | Sean Paul ft. Keyshia Cole | 2006 | Marcos Aguirre | 2 | Hi-Def | Glitch – DCI Agent | Studio 675 |
| "Wild Ones" | Flo Rida | 2011 | Kunle Oladehin | 5 | Hi-Def | Mo – DCI Agent | Studio 675 |
| "Y.M.C.A." | Village People | 1978 | Marcos Aguirre | 1 | Lu$h Crew | Angel – Retro Fitted | Free Skate |
| "You Got It (The Right Stuff)" | New Kids on the Block | 1988 | Kunle Oladehin | 3 | Hi-Def | Mo – Retro Fitted | Toprock Ave. |
| "You Make Me Feel..." | Cobra Starship ft. Sabi | 2011 | Torey Nelson | 7 | DCI | Lima – DCI Agent | DCI HQ |

### Importable content

Players can import songs from Dance Central 2 for a set price. If a physical disc is used to perform the import function, the user will also need the unique code from the game's manual; however, if a Games on Demand version of Dance Central 2 is used, then no export code is required.
The import of the original Dance Central songs was previously possible with the same method and for the same price as for Dance Central 2, but since October 25, 2016, new import purchases are no longer possible (old purchases remain intact). If the player has previously imported the original Dance Central into Dance Central 2, it is also available in Dance Central 3.

### Downloadable content

All previous downloadable songs are forward compatible with Dance Central 3; however, any new content released on or after October 16, 2012, is only compatible with Dance Central 3.
On March 8, 2013, Harmonix announced that new DLC releases for Dance Central 3 would end after March due to the company shifting its resources to next generation projects.
| Song | Artists | Decade | Choreographer | Difficulty (Out of 7) | Crew | Default Character & Outfit | Default Venue | Release Date | Dance Pack |
| "Euphoria" | Usher | 2012 | Aakomon "AJ" Jones and Usher | 5 | DCI | Rasa – DCI Agent | DCI HQ | November 20, 2012 | 13 |
| "Twisted" | Usher ft. Pharrell | 2012 | Aakomon "AJ" Jones and Usher | 6 | DCI | Rasa – DCI Agent | DCI HQ | November 20, 2012 | 13 |
| "Gangnam Style" | PSY | 2012 | Devin Woolridge | 5 | Riptide | Bodie – Retro Fitted | DCI HQ | November 27, 2012 | 12 |
| "Call Me Maybe" | Carly Rae Jepsen | 2012 | Spikey Soria | 7 | Flash4wrd | Li'l T. – DCI Agent | Studio 675 | December 4, 2012 | 12 |
| "Alejandro" | Lady Gaga | 2010 | Marcos Aguirre | 3 | Lu$h Crew | Angel – Street Style | DCI HQ | December 25, 2012 | 12 |
| "Paparazzi" | Lady Gaga | 2009 | Marcos Aguirre | 4 | Flash4wrd | Taye – Crew Look | Invite Only | December 25, 2012 | 12 |
| "Sorry for Party Rocking" | LMFAO | 2012 | Kunle Oladehin | 5 | Hi-Def | Mo – Street Style | DCI HQ | December 31, 2012 | 12 |
| "Whip It" | Nicki Minaj | 2012 | Marcos Aguirre | 5 | DCI | Lima – DCI Agent | Studio 675 | January 8, 2013 | 12 |
| "International Love" | Pitbull ft. Chris Brown | 2011 | Kunle Oladehin | 5 | Hi-Def | Mo – Street Style | Studio 675 | January 15, 2013 | 13 |
| "Hey Baby (Drop It to the Floor)" | Pitbull ft. T-Pain | 2010 | Torey Nelson | 7 | Riptide | Bodie – Retro Fitted | DCI HQ | January 15, 2013 | 13 |
| "Glad You Came" | The Wanted | 2011 | Marcos Aguirre | 2 | Lu$h Crew | Angel – Street Style | Studio 675 | January 22, 2013 | 12 |
| "Let It Roll" | Flo Rida | 2012 | Ricardo Foster Jr. | 5 | D-Coy | MacCoy – DC Classic | DCI HQ | January 29, 2013 | |
| "What Makes You Beautiful" | One Direction | 2011 | Marcos Aguirre | 2 | Lu$h Crew | Miss Aubrey – DC Classic | Invite Only | February 5, 2013 | 13 |
| "Beauty and a Beat" | Justin Bieber ft. Nicki Minaj | 2012 | Marcos Aguirre | 5 | Lu$h Crew | Angel – DC Classic | Studio 675 | February 12, 2013 | 12 |
| "All Around the World" | Justin Bieber ft. Ludacris | 2012 | Chanel Thompson | 6 | Riptide | Emilia – DCI Agent | DCI HQ | February 12, 2013 | 12 |
| "Lights" | Ellie Goulding | 2011 | Ricardo Foster Jr. | 6 | Hi-Def | Glitch – DCI Agent | Toprock Ave. | February 19, 2013 | 12 |
| "Airplanes" | B.o.B ft. Hayley Williams | 2010 | Torey Nelson | 4 | DCI | Rasa – DCI Agent | DCI HQ | February 26, 2013 | |
| "Take Care" | Drake ft. Rihanna | 2012 | Devin Woolridge | 1 | Riptide | Bodie – DCI Agent | Studio 675 | March 5, 2013 | 12 |
| "Umbrella" | Rihanna ft. Jay-Z | 2007 | Chanel Thompson | 4 | Riptide | Emilia – DCI Agent | Toprock Ave. | March 12, 2013 | 12 |
| "SOS" | Rihanna | 2006 | Spikey Soria | 5 | Flash4wrd | Li'l T. – DCI Agent | Crow's Nest | March 12, 2013 | 12 |
| "London Bridge" | Fergie | 2006 | Marcos Aguirre | 3 | Lu$h Crew | Miss Aubrey – Street Style | Invite Only | March 19, 2013 | 12 |
* ↑ This song features the full version, unlike the other tracks in to the Dance Central series, which has the short version.

## Awards and nominations

During the 16th Annual D.I.C.E. Awards, the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences nominated Dance Central 3 for "Family Game of the Year".