Pump It Up: A Comprehensive Guide for Beginners and Experts
Pump It Up (PIU) is a rhythm-based arcade game developed by Andamiro, a South Korean company. It’s similar to Dance Dance Revolution (DDR), but with a five-panel setup instead of four. This guide will provide a detailed walkthrough of how to play Pump It Up, covering everything from basic terminology to advanced techniques.
## What is Pump It Up?
Pump It Up challenges players to step on designated arrows or panels in time with the music. The game features a wide variety of music genres, primarily K-Pop, but also includes Techno, House, Rock, and Original Soundtracks (OSTs). The goal is to accurately hit the arrows that scroll up the screen, earning points and progressing through the song.
## Understanding the Pump It Up Cabinet
Before you dive into gameplay, it’s crucial to understand the layout of the Pump It Up cabinet. Here’s a breakdown of the key components:
* **The Dance Platform:** This is where the action happens! The platform has five arrow panels:
* Upper Left
* Upper Right
* Center
* Lower Left
* Lower Right
* **The Screen:** The screen displays the scrolling arrows that indicate which panels to step on, as well as your score, combo, and other vital information.
* **The Speakers:** The speakers blast the music you’ll be dancing to, making it easy to follow the rhythm.
* **The Control Panel:** The control panel usually has buttons to navigate the menu, select songs, adjust settings, and start the game. These vary depending on the version of the game.
* **Credit Reader:** This is where you insert credits or swipe your game card to start playing.
## Basic Terminology
Familiarizing yourself with common PIU terms is essential for understanding gameplay and strategies:
* **Arrow/Panel:** Refers to the illuminated panels on the dance platform that players must step on.
* **Step:** A single instance of stepping on an arrow panel.
* **Beat:** The underlying pulse or rhythm of the song.
* **BPM (Beats Per Minute):** The tempo of the song, indicating how many beats occur per minute.
* **Chart:** The arrangement of arrows that represents the dance steps for a specific song and difficulty level.
* **Combo:** A continuous sequence of successful steps without any misses.
* **Grade:** The performance rating you receive based on your accuracy and combo. Grades typically range from F (Fail) to S (Superb) or even higher in some versions.
* **Judge:** Refers to the accuracy window. More strict judges require better timing. Examples are Perfect, Great, Good, Bad, Miss.
* **Full Combo (FC):** Completing the entire song without any misses.
* **Perfect Full Combo (PFC):** Completing the entire song with only Perfect judgements.
* **Pump It Up Prime/XX/Phoenix:** Different versions of the game, each featuring unique songs, charts, and features.
## Getting Started: A Step-by-Step Guide
Here’s a detailed breakdown of how to play Pump It Up, from inserting credits to finishing your first song:
1. **Insert Credits/Swipe Card:** Begin by inserting the required credits into the machine or swiping your game card (if applicable). This usually unlocks the game’s menu.
2. **Navigating the Menu:** Use the arrow panels on the dance platform to navigate the menu. The center panel typically acts as the ‘Enter’ or ‘Select’ button. Consult the on-screen instructions for the specific button mappings of your machine.
3. **Selecting a Game Mode:** Pump It Up offers several game modes, each catering to different skill levels and play styles. Here are some common options:
* **Arcade/Normal Mode:** The standard mode, offering a progression of songs with increasing difficulty.
* **Battle Mode:** Compete against another player on the same machine.
* **Training Mode:** Practice specific sections of songs or learn basic steps.
* **Full Song Mode:** Play the full version of a song without any breaks.
* **Special Zone:** Unique and often challenging charts. Access is usually gated by specific unlocks or requirements.
4. **Choosing a Song:** Browse through the available song list using the arrow panels. Songs are often categorized by genre, difficulty, and artist. Pay attention to the BPM (Beats Per Minute) displayed next to each song. Lower BPM songs are generally easier for beginners.
5. **Selecting Difficulty:** Once you’ve chosen a song, you’ll need to select a difficulty level. Pump It Up uses a numerical difficulty scale, typically ranging from 1 (easiest) to 28+ (extremely difficult). Start with lower difficulty levels to get a feel for the game.
* **For Beginners (Levels 1-5):** Focus on patterns that primarily use the center panel and single steps.
* **Intermediate Players (Levels 6-12):** Gradually introduce more complex patterns, including crossovers and double steps.
* **Advanced Players (Levels 13+):** Tackle challenging charts with fast BPM, intricate footwork, and demanding stamina requirements.
6. **Ready Position:** Once you’ve selected your song and difficulty, the game will prompt you to get into the ready position. Place your feet on the dance platform, ensuring you have good balance. A common starting position is with one foot on the center panel and the other foot on one of the corner panels. Many players keep their heels off the panels to enable faster movements. Experiment and find what feels most comfortable for you.
7. **Playing the Game:** As the song begins, arrows will scroll upwards on the screen. Your goal is to step on the corresponding arrow panel on the dance platform when the scrolling arrow reaches the target zone at the top of the screen. Timing is crucial. Aim for accuracy to earn a higher score and maintain your combo.
8. **Understanding Judgements:** The game provides feedback on your timing with judgements displayed on the screen. Common judgements include:
* **Perfect:** The most accurate step, earning the highest score.
* **Great:** Slightly off-time, but still a good step.
* **Good:** Further off-time, but still considered a successful hit.
* **Bad:** A missed step, breaking your combo.
* **Miss:** A completely missed step, severely impacting your score and combo.
9. **Maintaining Your Combo:** A combo is a continuous sequence of successful steps without any misses. The longer your combo, the more points you earn. Try to focus on accuracy and avoid breaking your combo. A broken combo can significantly reduce your final score.
10. **Finishing the Song:** Continue stepping on the arrows in time with the music until the song ends. At the end of the song, you’ll receive a grade based on your performance. This grade reflects your accuracy, combo, and overall score.
## Essential Tips and Techniques for Beginners
Here are some crucial tips and techniques to help you improve your Pump It Up skills:
* **Start Slow:** Don’t jump into challenging songs right away. Begin with easier difficulty levels and gradually increase the difficulty as you improve.
* **Focus on Rhythm:** Pay close attention to the music and try to internalize the rhythm. This will help you anticipate the arrow patterns.
* **Use Your Peripheral Vision:** Avoid staring directly at the arrows. Use your peripheral vision to track the upcoming arrows and prepare your steps.
* **Practice Regularly:** Consistent practice is key to improving your timing, footwork, and stamina. Even short practice sessions can make a significant difference.
* **Watch Experienced Players:** Observe how experienced players approach different charts. Pay attention to their footwork, posture, and strategies.
* **Listen to the Music:** Familiarize yourself with the songs you’re playing. Knowing the music will help you anticipate the rhythms and patterns.
* **Foot Placement:** Experiment with different foot placements on the panels. Many players keep their heels slightly raised to allow for quicker transitions.
* **Don’t Be Afraid to Fail:** Everyone misses steps when they’re learning. Don’t get discouraged by mistakes. Learn from them and keep practicing.
* **Stay Relaxed:** Tension can hinder your performance. Try to stay relaxed and loose while playing.
* **Have Fun:** Pump It Up is a fun and energetic game. Enjoy the music and the challenge of improving your skills.
## Intermediate Techniques
Once you’ve mastered the basics, you can start incorporating more advanced techniques into your gameplay:
* **Crossovers:** Crossovers involve crossing one foot over the other to reach an arrow panel. This technique is essential for navigating complex patterns.
* **Double Steps:** Double steps require you to step on two adjacent arrow panels simultaneously. This often requires shifting your weight and using both feet.
* **Heel-Toe Technique:** The heel-toe technique involves using your heel to hit one panel and then quickly transitioning to your toe to hit another panel. This is useful for fast and precise movements.
* **Bracket Steps:** Bracket steps involve hitting three arrows in quick succession, often forming a bracket shape. Mastering bracket steps requires precise timing and coordination.
* **Stamina Management:** As you progress to higher difficulty levels, stamina becomes a crucial factor. Learn to conserve energy by using efficient footwork and avoiding unnecessary movements.
## Advanced Strategies
For experienced players looking to push their skills to the limit, here are some advanced strategies:
* **Chart Memorization:** Memorizing the arrow patterns for specific songs can significantly improve your accuracy and score. Use online resources like chart viewers and practice mode to memorize challenging sections.
* **Foot Switching:** Foot switching involves strategically switching your foot placement to optimize your movements and conserve energy. This technique requires advanced planning and execution.
* **Predictive Stepping:** Predictive stepping involves anticipating upcoming arrows and preparing your steps in advance. This requires excellent timing and pattern recognition.
* **Perfect Timing:** Achieving perfect timing on every step is the ultimate goal for advanced players. This requires precise movements, flawless rhythm, and unwavering focus.
* **Mod Usage:** Some PIU versions allow the use of mods that can change gameplay experience. This can include judgement leniency, speed of the chart, or even making the game mirror the arrow patterns.
## Finding Pump It Up Machines
Pump It Up machines can be found in arcades, entertainment centers, and some bowling alleys. You can use online resources like arcade finders to locate machines near you. Websites like Zenius -I- vanisher, Round1 USA official website, or even simply Google Maps, are helpful resources. The Andamiro website also has a machine locator, though it may not be 100% up-to-date.
## Community and Resources
The Pump It Up community is active and supportive. You can connect with other players online through forums, social media groups, and Discord servers. These communities offer a wealth of resources, including tutorials, chart guides, and gameplay videos.
* **Pump It Up Forums:** Share tips, strategies, and experiences with other players.
* **Social Media Groups:** Connect with local and international Pump It Up communities.
* **YouTube Channels:** Watch gameplay videos and learn from experienced players.
* **Discord Servers:** Join real-time discussions and find players to compete with.
## Different Pump It Up Versions
Pump It Up has a long history with numerous versions released over the years. Some notable versions include:
* **Pump It Up 2015 Prime:** Introduced the Prime interface and a large song list.
* **Pump It Up 2017 Prime 2:** Further refined the Prime interface and added new features.
* **Pump It Up XX:** Celebrated the 20th anniversary of Pump It Up with a massive song selection.
* **Pump It Up Phoenix:** The most recent version, featuring a redesigned interface and new game modes.
Each version has its own unique features and song list. The core gameplay mechanics remain consistent across versions, but the user interface, available songs, and specific features may vary.
## Common Mistakes to Avoid
Here are some common mistakes that new Pump It Up players often make:
* **Looking Down at Your Feet:** This throws off your balance and makes it difficult to see the upcoming arrows. Keep your eyes on the screen.
* **Tensing Up:** Tension hinders your movements and makes it difficult to react quickly. Stay relaxed and loose.
* **Ignoring the Music:** The music is your guide. Pay attention to the rhythm and try to internalize the beat.
* **Starting Too Hard:** Don’t jump into challenging songs before you’re ready. Start with easier difficulty levels and gradually increase the difficulty.
* **Giving Up Too Easily:** Learning Pump It Up takes time and practice. Don’t get discouraged by mistakes. Keep practicing and you’ll improve.
## Is Pump It Up a Good Workout?
Absolutely! Pump It Up provides a fantastic cardio workout. The fast-paced footwork and constant movement can burn a significant number of calories and improve your cardiovascular health. It also helps improve coordination, balance, and reflexes. Many players find it to be a fun and engaging way to stay active.
## Customizing Your Experience
Some Pump It Up machines allow you to customize your gameplay experience through the use of game cards or online profiles. These customizations may include:
* **Difficulty Settings:** Adjust the overall difficulty of the game.
* **Speed Modifiers:** Change the speed at which the arrows scroll up the screen.
* **Judgment Settings:** Adjust the leniency of the timing window.
* **Appearance Options:** Customize the appearance of the arrows and the game interface.
## Conclusion
Pump It Up is an exciting and challenging rhythm game that offers a rewarding experience for players of all skill levels. With practice and dedication, you can improve your footwork, timing, and stamina, and become a skilled Pump It Up player. So, step onto the dance platform, pump up the volume, and start your Pump It Up journey today!