Dead or Alive Ultimate
Encyclopedia
Dead or Alive Ultimate (known in development as Dead or Alive Online) is a multiplayer
fighting game developed by Team Ninja and released by Tecmo for the Xbox
in 2004. It is a collection of the two previous games in the series Dead or Alive
and Dead or Alive 2
.
The compilation contains the Sega Saturn
version of Dead or Alive and an enhanced remake
of DOA2 which utilized the Dead or Alive Xtreme Beach Volleyball
graphics engine and offered DOA3 game mechanics, new game content, online multiplayer capabilities and the inclusion of Hitomi as a playable character. The game requires Xbox Live
in order to play online, and includes 12 different game modes, 15 different characters from the Dead or Alive series, as well as bonus content for Dead or Alive 3
.
With the December 14, 2006 backwards compatibility update for the Xbox 360
, the Xbox release of Dead or Alive Ultimate can now be played on the Xbox 360.
, Kasumi and Hayate (only available once users inserts the DOA2 disc).
, with re-developed graphics and new stages for the Xbox
gaming system. It also includes the original Sega Saturn
version of the first Dead or Alive, with smoothed graphics, but lacks the additional content received in the later-released North America PlayStation version (No Bass or Ayane characters or extra costumes). Both editions include online play.
Dead or Alive Ultimate 1 is essentially identical to its original Sega Saturn version, and is generally considered more of a collector's disc than for its content.
Dead or Alive Ultimate 2, being a remake created after the debut of DOA3, takes elements and mechanics from both its original iteration and successor. The action of 3D-axis movement is as free-formatted as DOA3, and Hitomi is now a playable character albeit outside story mode. Other elements have been kept intact from DOA2. These include higher damaging counters than in DOA3, environmental hazards not warranting a knockout on a character, and a counter mechanism that is much harder to execute. Despite being able to freely move on a 3D axis in the Ultimate version of DOA2 however, most moves cannot be sidestepped as in other 3D fighters, as well as in DOA3. Another major change is in the revamped holding system in DOA2. The final major set of changes instituted in Ultimate is the inclusion of slopes, which are a type of environmental hazard where those knocked down them roll down the slope, taking damage as they fall.
support for this compilation makes it the second online console
3D
fighting game to be released in America and Europe (Mortal Kombat: Deception
being the first) and the first online console 3D fighting game in Japan). The system set forth by Tecmo for online play in Dead or Alive Ultimate was intended to recreate the feel of playing at an arcade. Players would log onto a shared "lobby" and then observe other matches until it was their turn to participate. Each lobby has a set of gameplay parameters that is determined by its creator, allowing for tournament-style play.
-themed extras. In the United States, two trading cards with character pictures on them were randomly included in each game as part of a collector's edition.
The game disc of the U.S. release also contains the Booster Pack for Dead or Alive 3, which adds numerous character costumes and a new opening cinematic for the game. This disc also included a G4
-produced segment from their Icons
series detailing the history of the Dead or Alive series, along with interviews featuring various people from the video game industry, including series creator Tomonobu Itagaki
.
Multiplayer game
A multiplayer video game is one which more than one person can play in the same game environment at the same time. Unlike most other games, computer and video games are often single-player activities that put the player against preprogrammed challenges and/or AI-controlled opponents, which often...
fighting game developed by Team Ninja and released by Tecmo for the Xbox
Xbox
The Xbox is a sixth-generation video game console manufactured by Microsoft. It was released on November 15, 2001 in North America, February 22, 2002 in Japan, and March 14, 2002 in Australia and Europe and is the predecessor to the Xbox 360. It was Microsoft's first foray into the gaming console...
in 2004. It is a collection of the two previous games in the series Dead or Alive
Dead or Alive (arcade game)
Dead or Alive is a fighting game and the first entry in the long-running Dead or Alive series. It was released in 1996 in arcades, followed by home ports for Sega Saturn in 1997 and Sony PlayStation in 1998 .-Gameplay:Dead or Alive was unique in its debut that featured fairly different choices in...
and Dead or Alive 2
Dead or Alive 2
Dead or Alive 2 is a fighting game in the Dead or Alive series. It debuted in arcades in October 1999 and was released on February 29, 2000 for the Dreamcast....
.
The compilation contains the Sega Saturn
Sega Saturn
The is a 32-bit fifth-generation video game console that was first released by Sega on November 22, 1994 in Japan, May 11, 1995 in North America, and July 8, 1995 in Europe...
version of Dead or Alive and an enhanced remake
Enhanced remake
A video game remake is a game closely adapted from an earlier title, usually for the purpose of modernizing a game for newer hardware and contemporary audiences. Typically, a remake shares essentially the same title, fundamental gameplay concepts, and story elements of the original game...
of DOA2 which utilized the Dead or Alive Xtreme Beach Volleyball
Dead or Alive Xtreme Beach Volleyball
is a beach volleyball game by Tecmo released in 2003 exclusively for the Xbox. The game is a departure from the rest of the Dead or Alive series which otherwise consists of fighting games and marks the first game in the series to have a Mature rating due to the very revealing swimsuits featured in...
graphics engine and offered DOA3 game mechanics, new game content, online multiplayer capabilities and the inclusion of Hitomi as a playable character. The game requires Xbox Live
Xbox Live
Xbox Live is an online multiplayer gaming and digital media delivery service created and operated by Microsoft Corporation. It is currently the only online gaming service on consoles that charges users a fee to play multiplayer gaming. It was first made available to the Xbox system in 2002...
in order to play online, and includes 12 different game modes, 15 different characters from the Dead or Alive series, as well as bonus content for Dead or Alive 3
Dead or Alive 3
Dead or Alive 3 is a fighting game in the Dead or Alive series. It was released exclusively on the Xbox as a launch title.-Gameplay:...
.
With the December 14, 2006 backwards compatibility update for the Xbox 360
Xbox 360
The Xbox 360 is the second video game console produced by Microsoft and the successor to the Xbox. The Xbox 360 competes with Sony's PlayStation 3 and Nintendo's Wii as part of the seventh generation of video game consoles...
, the Xbox release of Dead or Alive Ultimate can now be played on the Xbox 360.
Story
Being a compilation of the first two games that introduces new features, online play, and various unlockables, the story of Dead or Alive Ultimate plays out as it did in the original. However, a new CG opening was included, further explaining the relationship and history of AyaneAyane (Dead or Alive)
is a player character in the Dead or Alive and Ninja Gaiden fighting game series by Team NINJA and Tecmo Koei. Ayane has also a complex relationship with Kasumi, the leading heroine of the Dead or Alive series, ever since they grew up together...
, Kasumi and Hayate (only available once users inserts the DOA2 disc).
Gameplay
Dead or Alive Ultimate is a compilation game that includes a remade version of Dead or Alive 2Dead or Alive 2
Dead or Alive 2 is a fighting game in the Dead or Alive series. It debuted in arcades in October 1999 and was released on February 29, 2000 for the Dreamcast....
, with re-developed graphics and new stages for the Xbox
Xbox
The Xbox is a sixth-generation video game console manufactured by Microsoft. It was released on November 15, 2001 in North America, February 22, 2002 in Japan, and March 14, 2002 in Australia and Europe and is the predecessor to the Xbox 360. It was Microsoft's first foray into the gaming console...
gaming system. It also includes the original Sega Saturn
Sega Saturn
The is a 32-bit fifth-generation video game console that was first released by Sega on November 22, 1994 in Japan, May 11, 1995 in North America, and July 8, 1995 in Europe...
version of the first Dead or Alive, with smoothed graphics, but lacks the additional content received in the later-released North America PlayStation version (No Bass or Ayane characters or extra costumes). Both editions include online play.
Dead or Alive Ultimate 1 is essentially identical to its original Sega Saturn version, and is generally considered more of a collector's disc than for its content.
Dead or Alive Ultimate 2, being a remake created after the debut of DOA3, takes elements and mechanics from both its original iteration and successor. The action of 3D-axis movement is as free-formatted as DOA3, and Hitomi is now a playable character albeit outside story mode. Other elements have been kept intact from DOA2. These include higher damaging counters than in DOA3, environmental hazards not warranting a knockout on a character, and a counter mechanism that is much harder to execute. Despite being able to freely move on a 3D axis in the Ultimate version of DOA2 however, most moves cannot be sidestepped as in other 3D fighters, as well as in DOA3. Another major change is in the revamped holding system in DOA2. The final major set of changes instituted in Ultimate is the inclusion of slopes, which are a type of environmental hazard where those knocked down them roll down the slope, taking damage as they fall.
Multiplayer
Xbox LiveXbox Live
Xbox Live is an online multiplayer gaming and digital media delivery service created and operated by Microsoft Corporation. It is currently the only online gaming service on consoles that charges users a fee to play multiplayer gaming. It was first made available to the Xbox system in 2002...
support for this compilation makes it the second online console
Video game console
A video game console is an interactive entertainment computer or customized computer system that produces a video display signal which can be used with a display device to display a video game...
3D
3D computer graphics
3D computer graphics are graphics that use a three-dimensional representation of geometric data that is stored in the computer for the purposes of performing calculations and rendering 2D images...
fighting game to be released in America and Europe (Mortal Kombat: Deception
Mortal Kombat: Deception
Mortal Kombat: Deception is a fighting game developed and published by Midway as the sixth installment for the Mortal Kombat series. It was released for the PlayStation 2 and Xbox in October 2004, while a Nintendo GameCube version was published in March 2005. Mortal Kombat: Deception follows the...
being the first) and the first online console 3D fighting game in Japan). The system set forth by Tecmo for online play in Dead or Alive Ultimate was intended to recreate the feel of playing at an arcade. Players would log onto a shared "lobby" and then observe other matches until it was their turn to participate. Each lobby has a set of gameplay parameters that is determined by its creator, allowing for tournament-style play.
Bonus items
In Japan, Dead or Alive Ultimate was released with a crystal-clear blue version of the Xbox system that included a controller of the same color, a copy of Dead or Alive Ultimate, and some bonus KasumiKasumi (Dead or Alive)
is a player character in Dead or Alive fighting game series by Team Ninja and Tecmo. Kasumi has served as the main character of the Dead or Alive franchise since its beginning in 1996, being the official protagonist in the first two main games in the series, and playing very important roles in the...
-themed extras. In the United States, two trading cards with character pictures on them were randomly included in each game as part of a collector's edition.
The game disc of the U.S. release also contains the Booster Pack for Dead or Alive 3, which adds numerous character costumes and a new opening cinematic for the game. This disc also included a G4
G4 (TV channel)
G4, also known as G4 TV, is an American cable- and satellite-television channel originally geared primarily toward young adult viewers, originally based on the world of video games...
-produced segment from their Icons
Icons (TV series)
Icons was a documentary TV show on G4 that originally focused on significant people, companies, products, history, and milestones in world of video games. It was relaunched in 2006 and focused entirely on pop culture. It was cancelled soon afterwards....
series detailing the history of the Dead or Alive series, along with interviews featuring various people from the video game industry, including series creator Tomonobu Itagaki
Tomonobu Itagaki
is a Japanese video game designer who created the Dead or Alive fighting game and beach sport simulation series and also revived the Ninja Gaiden franchise in 2004...
.
Soundtrack
While this game brings back the old mechanics of Dead or Alive 2 from the Dreamcast, some changes to the music and remixes were added. Each character except Hitomi has their own remix. The remixes only appear in the Dance Floor stage, The Ray House.- Dream OnDream On (Aerosmith song)"Dream On" is the first single by Aerosmith from their 1973 debut album, Aerosmith. Written by lead singer Steven Tyler, this blues-influenced power ballad became their first major hit and classic rock radio staple...
- by AerosmithAerosmithAerosmith is an American rock band, sometimes referred to as "The Bad Boys from Boston" and "America's Greatest Rock and Roll Band". Their style, which is rooted in blues-based hard rock, has come to also incorporate elements of pop, heavy metal, and rhythm and blues, and has inspired many...
, played for the opening CGI - B-boy no "B" - evolved from ++ - Zack's theme
- The Shooted - Hayabusa's theme
- Grand Style - Lei Fang's theme
- Natural High - Jann Lee's theme
- Break the age - Gen Fu's theme
- You are under my control - beautiful version 00 - - Tina's theme
- Yes or Yes - Bass's theme
- Blazed up MelpomeneMelpomeneMelpomene , initially the Muse of Singing, she then became the Muse of Tragedy, for which she is best known now. Her name was derived from the Greek verb melpô or melpomai meaning "to celebrate with dance and song." She is often represented with a tragic mask and wearing the cothurnus, boots...
- Helena's theme - Ultimate Weapon - Leon's theme
- TehuTehu - Ayane's theme
- Vigaku - Ein's theme
- Hitohira-reminiscent of Ketsui no toki - Kasumi's theme
- Jintsuriki - Gohyakumine Bankotsu-bo's theme
- Knifepoint - Bayman's theme
- It's to show - Hitomi's theme