Just Dance 2017 is the 2017 edition in the main series of the Just Dance dancing games where players perform dance routines, mimicking the moves of on-screen performers, to earn points. It continues support for the control mechanism introduced in Just Dance 2016 and Just Dance Now where an app for Android and iOS phones turns the device into a controller for the game, registering movement through the accelerometer/gyroscope. The phone is also used to select dancers and browse through menus so no other controllers are required. This is supported by the PS4, Wii U, Windows and Xbox One versions, and the series is also released on PC for the first time. In addition the PS4, Wii U and Xbox One versions support Move + Camera, Wii Remote and Kinect as alternative control schemes. For PS3, Wii and Xbox 360 the only control scheme is Move + Eye, Wii Remote or Kinect respectively.

The game modes for this edition are Just Dance (with a Rival and Co-op mode), Just Dance Machine, World Dance Floor, Just Dance TV, Dance Quest, Sweat & Playlists, and Video Challenge. There is support for both local and online multiplayer. The main Just Dance mode introduces 40 new tracks to the game with artists such as Ariana Grande, Beyoncé, David Guetta, Justin Bieber, Queen, The Weeknd and so on with an average song length of about one minute. As with the previous edition the library can be extended with a subscription service called Just Dance Unlimited, which provides access to about 200 additional songs from a streaming library. Players pay for the service per month ($ 4.99), per three months ($ 9.99) or per year ($ 29.99). This service is only available for the PS4, Wii U, Windows and Xbox One versions. It includes both new tracks and songs from previous editions. Most of the PAL versions include a three-month subscription by default, while in the US that is provided through the more expensive Just Dance 2017 (Gold Edition).

In the main Just Dance mode players go through the classic Rival mode or play as a team in the Co-op mode. Songs categories include Solo (one dancer), Duet (two dancers), Trio (three dancers), Quartet (four dancers), Just Dance 2017, Mashup and more. While playing, upcoming moves are shown in the bottom right corner while characters act them out. It is also possible to display the lyrics karaoke-style. Based on the player's timing the moves are rated and this leads to a vertical bar filling up, with stars for every new section reached and a total score. There is a progression system with many avatars to unlock. Some game elements and songs are unlocked through the familiar in-game Mojo Coins currency, provided for performances.

Just Dance Machine (PS4, Xbox One, PC and Nintendo Switch only) is a new game mode where the player needs to help two aliens by providing dance energy so they can get back home. They need different parts that require different energy, so a single session often switches quickly between different music styles so the player has to adapt quickly. World Dance Floor is the online multiplayer mode to compete against other players in real-time. The score for each player during a song is shown through a ranking on the left side of the screen. There is a central lobby and players can vote for songs to play. This edition adds tournaments and boss battles.

Just Dance TV returns to watch video clips of players around the world dancing to see their performances or to learn from them. Dance Quest also returns as a series of challenges organized around different themes and playing against the scores of AI opponents, as well as the fitness-like Sweat & Playlists mode to create custom workouts. Another returning mode is the Video Challenge to compete against another player in an asynchronous way through a video tied to the dance routine. While dancing in a direct duel a video shows the performance and moves of the other player captured through a camera. The game also captures the player's feed when a camera is available and at the end of the songs it can be shared as a new challenge for other players. Capturing video is only available for the PS4 and Xbox One versions.