JoyDance

Demo

https://youtu.be/f_1IkUHFdH8

Features

• Play Just Dance 2016 and later on all platforms with Joy-Cons.
• Playing with a Joy-Con (+ its strap) is safer and more comfortable than holding a phone.
• No latency.
• Better score than using a phone (hopefully).
• No random disconnection.
• Support up to 6 players.
• Support all platforms:

	Xbox Series	Xbox One	PS4/5	NSW	Stadia	PC	Wii U
2020-2022	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅
2016-2019 ⚠️		✅	✅	✅		✅	✅

⚠️ Important: Can't use buttons on Joy-Con to navigate the UI in JD 2016-2019 (you'll have to use controllers/keyboard). See #6.

How does it work?

It pretends to be the Just Dance Controller app, sends movements of the Joy-Con to your game console.

Tested on

• MacOS Catalina 10.15 with TP-Link Bluetooth 4.0 Nano USB Adapter UB400.
• Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W (Bulleye, kernel 5.15) with MPOW BH519A Bluetooth 5.1 USB Adapter. Tested with 2 Joy-Cons and it worked just fine.

Requirements

• PC/Mac/Linux with bluetooth support.
• Python 3.7+ and pip installed.
• 1 to 6 Joy-Cons.
• It's RECOMMENDED to:
  • Use a Bluetooth dongle, because built-in Bluetooth sucks (or you will get disconnected constantly while playing). Make sure you buy a dongle with game controllers support, not just for audio devices. Not all dongles support Mac/Linux, so remember to check compatibility before buying.
  • Use a Nintendo Switch to update Joy-Con to the latest firmware & calibate its motion sensors. Ask your friends or bring it to the game shop if you don't have one.

Installation

1. Download the latest version and extract it into a folder.
2. Open that folder in Terminal/Command Prompt, then run this command:

pip3 install -r requirements.txt

Extra steps for Linux users

Click to expand!

1. Linux users may need to use hid instead of hidapi (not sure why hidapi couldn't find Joy-Cons on Linux).

pip3 uninstall hidapi

sudo apt install libhidapi-dev
pip3 install hid

2. Create a new udev rule file at /etc/udev/rules.d/50-nintendo-switch.rules (Source)

# Switch Joy-con (L) (Bluetooth only)
KERNEL=="hidraw*", SUBSYSTEM=="hidraw", KERNELS=="0005:057E:2006.*", MODE="0666"

# Switch Joy-con (R) (Bluetooth only)
KERNEL=="hidraw*", SUBSYSTEM=="hidraw", KERNELS=="0005:057E:2007.*", MODE="0666"

# Switch Pro controller (USB and Bluetooth)
KERNEL=="hidraw*", SUBSYSTEM=="hidraw", ATTRS{idVendor}=="057e", ATTRS{idProduct}=="2009", MODE="0666"
KERNEL=="hidraw*", SUBSYSTEM=="hidraw", KERNELS=="0005:057E:2009.*", MODE="0666"

# Switch Joy-con charging grip (USB only)
KERNEL=="hidraw*", SUBSYSTEM=="hidraw", ATTRS{idVendor}=="057e", ATTRS{idProduct}=="200e", MODE="0666"

Reload udev rules:

sudo udevadm control --reload-rules
sudo udevadm trigger

3. Install dkms-hid-nintendo (Joy-Con driver) if you're running Linux kernel older than 5.16.

Usage

1. Open the phone pairing screen on Just Dance.

2. Connect your PC/Mac/Linux to the same Wi-Fi or LAN network as your game console. For Stadia you just need to connect to the internet.

3. Run this command:

   python3 dance.py
   

   or

   python dance.py
   

4. Open http://localhost:32623 (not https://...) in a web browser (32623 = DANCE). You can also open JoyDance on another device (connected to the same network) with this link: http://[JOYDANCE_DEVICE_IP]:32623 (for example: http://192.168.1.100:32623).

5. Turn on Bluetooth and pair with Joy-Con by holding down the SYNC button until the light move up and down. Press the "Refresh" button until your Joy-Con shows up.

6. Fill the form.

   • Pairing Method:

     	Default	Fast	Stadia	Old
     Platforms	All but Stadia	X1/PS/NSW	Stadia	All, incl. PC & Wii U
     Game versions	2020-2022	2020-2022	2020-2022	2016-2019
     Pairing Speed	Slow	Fast	Slow	Fast
     Pairing Code	Require		Require
     Private IP Address	Host	Console		PC/Console

   • Host's Private IP Address:

     • The private IP address of your PC/Mac/Linux running JoyDance. Find this in the Wi-Fi settings.
     • Starts with 192.168. or 10..

   • PC/Console's Private IP Address:

     • The private IP address of your PC/console. Find this in the Wi-Fi settings on PC/console.
     • Starts with 192.168. or 10..

   • Pairing Code: get this from the game.

7. Press the "Connect" button next to Joy-Con to start the pairing process.

8. 💃🕺

FAQ

1. What is the correct way to hold a Joy-Con?
   Hold the Joy-Con (L)/(R) in your right hand, with your palm touching the back of Joy-Con.

2. How to control with Joy-Con (L)?

   • Up = X
   • Right = A
   • Down = B
   • Left = Y
   • L = R
   • ZL = ZR
   • Minus = Plus

3. How to exit JoyDance?
   Press Ctrl + C two times or close the Terminal window.

4. Is it possible to port JoyDance to wearable devices like smart watches (Wear OS, watchOS...)?
   Yes. I tested on a tiny M5StickC Plus and it worked! But remember, some movements require you to move only the palm of your hand won't be recognized correctly.

5. Can I play Just Dance 2017 (PC) and run JoyDance on the same PC?
   Yes, you can.

Acknowledgements

• dekuNukem/Nintendo_Switch_Reverse_Engineering
• tocoteron/joycon-python
• Davidobot/BetterJoy