Get Off The Couch

Studies continue to show that video gaming contributes to inactivity, laziness, and all those other negative connotations for "chilling." Child obesity is on the rise, and as this industry continues to creep into the mainstream, more fingers are being pointed at video games as one of the contributing factors. Even the biggest supporters of our high-tech hobby must agree that it's not the most cardio-intensive way to spend an afternoon. After all, video game controllers -- as a rule -- are designed to require as little movement or strenuous activity as possible.

Does that mean we should cut down on our game playing? News flash: That's not going to happen anytime soon. There is an alternative, however. Several video games actually elicit (and even require) movement by the player, allowing you to have your cake and eat it, too. The list is growing exponentially -- enough to warrant a rundown for both gamers and finger-pointers alike. These titles make you dance, get in touch with your inner musician, or just have you doing silly movements with reckless abandon. These are the video games that get you off the couch.

Games That Make You Sweat

You no longer have to hit the gym, or even leave the comfort of your home, to get a good workout. Just pop one of these bad boys into your console and be ready to burn some calories. Video games are using their interactive mechanics and pleasing aesthetics to get players into shape.

Dance Dance Revolution Extreme 2 Dance Dance Revolution: Mario Mix Dance Dance Revolution Utlramix 3

The Dance Dance Revolution series has become a major boon for publisher Konami, and it waivers between cult classic and worldwide phenomenon. Its reach knows no bounds -- whether you're talking about any of the major consoles, or the arcades where kids hang out all day just to show off their pseudo dance moves.

Like most titles we'll be discussing, DDR is best experienced with a controller that's a big departure from your typical game pad. For the uninitiated, it uses a dance pad that's placed on the floor and activated by your feet. Follow onscreen cues that tell which of the four directions (up, down, left, right) to tap, and the end result almost feels like dancing. With the addition of a calorie counter and several different workout modes, you can sweat to music without Richard Simmons' annoying mug plastered across your TV screen.

Each console has its own twist on the Dance Dance Revolution formula. PlayStation has always been the primary home for the series, and the American PS2 has four DDR titles in its library. The latest, Dance Dance Revolution Extreme 2, has over 50 songs and supports head-to-head online play. Over on Xbox, Dance Dance Revolution Ultramix 3 takes advantage of Xbox Live to offer downloadable content, on the off chance that you tire of the 65 available tracks. It too supports online showdowns.

Even GameCube gets its piece of the DDR pie, and in typical Nintendo fashion, it includes the company's well-known mascot. Dance Dance Revolution: Mario Mix is a kid-friendly take on the franchise. The song selection is much more low-key, and its story mode follows typical Mario adventure themes. Though each one of these games is the new hotness, old-school gamers still can't go wrong with DDR: Konamix on PSone, which still may be one of the series' best entries.