If I was a different sort of person, the advent of a Facebook game for Dirty Dancing would send me into fits of rage, during which I’d say that Lionsgate was destroying my childhood with this little 16-bit diversion that involves Patrick Swayze’s gorgeous face or Jennifer Grey’s doe-eyed mug telling players just how to earn “romance waves” and “watermelon currency” ‐ but, wait, did you read that right? It’s a 16-bit game that features Patrick Swayze’s gorgeous face or Jennifer Grey’s doe-eyed mug telling players just how to earn “romance waves” and “watermelon currency” ‐ that’s just intrinsically amazing.
We already know that Lionsgate is launching a remake of the film (to be directed by original choreographer Kenny Ortega from a script by Maria Maggenti), but the new game doesn’t just nod to the 1987 classic starring Swayze and Grey, it’s almost totally rooted in the trajectory of that first production. If Lionsgate is trying to keep up buzz for their new flick, they’re doing it, and doing it while paying serious homage to the original. Now that’s how you make fans happy.
The original film’s Facebook page has a staggering 10.9 million fans, making it the ninth most popular movie fan page on Facebook. Fans of the film can play the game now, which asks players to build their own Catskills resorts (you’re essentially Max Kellerman in this scenario, which is decidedly not nearly as hot as being Johnny Castle or Baby, but hey, thems the breaks, kid), using “watermelon currency” to gussy up their summer destinations. Again, “watermelon currency” ‐ the greatest word pairing of the day, one I’d gladly carry anywhere. Players will hit single guests with “romance waves” to make them happy while also bringing the resort back up to acceptable levels of sparkle (just go with this). Then there’s some sort of big dance end-of-summer dance show! That’s certainly a very, ahem, sanitized version of what happens in Dirty Dancing, but it’s a 16-bit Facebook game, what do you want from me here?
If you’re really pressed for time, however, S.T. VanAirsdale over at Movieline spent an excruciating 29 minutes playing the game for a hilarious piece, which you can experience right here. Sounds slightly better than being in a corner, I guess? [The Wrap]
