Alright, so. You've decided that you don't care how silly you're going to look on that machine cause you're gonna look cool once you've got it.
If not, go think about it a little more and come back :D

Actually... technically it'd be better if you start at home with a console version of the game before you decided to step on to the machine. But careful cause those mats you buy at game stores feel completely different than the machines at arcades.

OK! Currently I know of 3 Dance videogames:
Dance Dance Revolution by Konami
In the Groove by Roxor games
and Pump it up by Andamiro

Now In the groove is a relatively new game and really is designed for more advanced players, but if you really want to, go ahead, there is a beginner mode one it.

Lucky you! All 3 types are available on console now, DDR in several collections on PS, PS2, XBOX, GAMECUBE, and soon XBOX360. In the Groove is available for PS2 and Pump it up as well.

Now that I've rambled about all that, WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE OF THE THREE GAMES?

Well the main difference is that, DDR and in the groove (are basically the same), using the four arrow buttons of Up, down, left and right. Pump it up on the other hand uses four corner arrows and the middle as a button which will be tricky to play if you decide to go with DDR and start later.
(AS SHOWN IN THE IMAGE)

Personally, I've only played the DDR console version on the Play Station- The original and Konamix. And Since Playstation is so slow and laggy and since you guys have so much better systems I'd advise that You buy the newest Version of the game since I'd preobably be way better.

Assuming that you guys have at least a small amount of Basic knowledge about these games,
I'll just leave with the key points I just blabbered about:

Start at home with a console version
ITG is desgined for advanced players (kinda)
ITG and DDR have the Same step buttons
PIU has different ones
Practice with the latest version of the game

OK! If you're readin this you decided to go with DDR!

DDR has five levels of Difficulty-
Beginner
Light
Standard
Heavy
Challenge

Obviously if you're new, Then Beginner is your choice. But dont feel stupid! You'll be out of that level in no time!

When? Well, If it starts to get boring and you want to play harder songs then you probably want to move to light. Common sense.

Beginner levels have characters in the background to assist you on how and where to step :3
I believe all beginner songs are rated 1foot
DDR songs rate their difficulty with "feet" ratings. More feet, more work.
So as I was saying, It'd be best for you too look for level two or three feet songs when you begin light mode.

...ohhh what else to type... Maybe some beginner FAQS I guess...

Q: should I hold that "bar?"
A: Since beginner songs are rather slow and simple, holding that bar would slow you down. The bar is there for balance when you start to play more difficult songs that require a rather excessive amount of movement. You'll see what I mean as you get better, though a lot of people get really good never touching that bar :P

Q: My song is too slow!!! X( Can't I make it faster?
A: Ya sure can. Once you choose a song hold down the green button (sorry folks, I'm clueless about the console version :P ) until a options menu comes out. There you can increase the arrow speed by x2, x3, etc. But dont go too crazy with it, x8 is really hard to play on!

Q: I wanna do all these cool tricks and stuff!
A: there are two ways to play these games- playing for the score and playing freestyle. I declare now that I'm not much of a Freestyle dancer, I can spin around when playing butterfly but If you really want, go to a site that's about Freestyle DDR dancing.

Q:I have more questions!
A: good! cause I'm out of them! E-mail
Kxela2005@msn.com and I'll try to help and post your answers here (if you wish)