Software:Dead or Alive Ultimate

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Short description: 2004 video game


Dead or Alive Ultimate
European cover art
Developer(s)Team Ninja
Publisher(s)Tecmo
Director(s)Tomonobu Itagaki
Producer(s)
  • Tomonobu Itagaki
  • Yasushi Maeda
  • Mitsuo Osada
Designer(s)
  • Katsunori Ehara
  • Motohiro Shiga
  • Yōhei Shinbori
Programmer(s)Takeshi Sawatari
Composer(s)Ryo Koike
SeriesDead or Alive
Platform(s)Xbox
Release
  • NA: October 26, 2004
  • JP: November 3, 2004
  • EU: February 18, 2005
Genre(s)Fighting
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

Lua error in Module:Lang/utilities at line 332: attempt to call field '_transl' (a nil value). is a 2004 fighting game compilation developed by Team Ninja and published by Tecmo for the Xbox. It is a collection of the two previous games in the series, 1996's Dead or Alive and 1999's Dead or Alive 2. It marks the first game in the series to be a compilation. DOA Ultimate contains a high-resolution edition of the Sega Saturn version of Dead or Alive, and an enhanced remake of Dead or Alive 2 which utilizes a new graphics engine and offers Dead or Alive 3 game mechanics, new game content and the inclusion of Hitomi as a playable character. The game offered online multiplayer capabilities, making the compilation among the first fighting games to offer online play.

Ultimate received generally favorable reviews from critics who praised the games' online functionalities. In 2006, both games became backwards compatible on Xbox 360.[1] In 2021, both games were made available to download on Xbox Live worldwide, and were later added to the list of backward compatible games on Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S.[2]

Gameplay

Dead or Alive Ultimate is a compilation game that includes an enhanced version of Dead or Alive 1 and a remade version of Dead or Alive 2. The remade version of Dead or Alive 2 has re-developed graphics and new stages for the Xbox gaming system. The enhanced version of Dead or Alive 1 is the original Sega Saturn version, with smoothed graphics, but lacks the additional content received in the later-released North American PlayStation version (no Bass or Ayane characters or extra costumes). Both editions include online play, as well as an option to change between the two voice actors for Kasumi, known as the "Voice History" setting, with the "1996–2000" option being Sakura Tange's original voice lines and the "2001–" option being Houko Kuwashima's re-recorded voice lines.

Dead or Alive 1 Ultimate 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 2 Ultimate, being a remake created after the debut of Dead or Alive 3, 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 DOA3 and other 3D fighters. Another major change is in the revamped holding system in DOA2 Ultimate. The final major set of changes instituted in 2 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.

The game required Xbox Live in order to play online. The service's support makes it the first Japanese online console fighting game, the second online console fighting game to be released in America and Europe (Software:Mortal Kombat: Deception having been the first) and the first online console fighting game in Japan. While Xbox Live for the original Xbox was discontinued in 2010, Dead or Alive Ultimate is now playable online using the replacement Xbox Live servers called Insignia.[3][4]

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.

While this game brings back the old mechanics of the Dreamcast version of Dead or Alive 2, some changes to the music and remixes were added. Each character except Hitomi (who was introduced in DOA3) has their own remix. The remixes only appear in the Dance Floor stage, The Ray House.

Characters

Ultimate features a total of 16 playable characters. Dead or Alive 1 Ultimate features a roster of 9 playable characters while Dead or Alive 2 Ultimate features a roster of 15 playable characters.

  • Ayane a
  • Bass Armstrong a
  • Bayman b
  • Ein a
  • Gen Fu
  • Helena Douglas a
  • Hitomi a b c
  • Jann Lee
  • Kasumi
  • Leifang
  • Leon a
  • Raidou b d
  • Ryu Hayabusa
  • Tengu a b
  • Tina Armstrong
  • Zack

^a Only playable in 2 Ultimate
^b Unlockable character
^c Accessible by owning a copy of Dead or Alive 3
^d Only playable in 1 Ultimate

Plot

The story mode of Dead or Alive Ultimate plays out as it did in the original games. However, a new CG opening sequence is added, further explaining the relationship and history of Mugen Tenshin ninjas, Kasumi, Ayane and Hayate, revealing the village they all hail from. It also reveals Kasumi's and Hayate's father, Shiden, who was mentioned in the first Dead or Alive, Ayane's foster-father, Genra, before his monstrous transformation in Dead or Alive 3, and introduces Ayame, mother of Kasumi, Hayate and Ayane. The sequence reveals the rape of Ayame by Kasumi's and Hayate's uncle, Raidou, leading to the birth of Ayane, her being raised by Genra, and Raidou's crippling of Hayate, leading to Hayate's comatose state and Kasumi's quest for vengeance on Raidou. The CG sequence acts as a prologue leading into the first three Dead or Alive games.

Development and release

Dead or Alive Ultimate promo booth at the Tokyo Game Show 2004

In 2004, after the release of Dead or Alive 3, Team Ninja once again remade Dead or Alive 2, this time for the Xbox system. In the planning stages, this new game was originally named Dead or Alive Online for its addition of online support. On January 14, it was renamed to Dead or Alive Ultimate and promised fresh content, additional characters, re-recorded voiceovers, most notably Kasumi, which was now voiced by Houko Kuwashima, and an upgraded version of the original Dead or Alive for the Sega Saturn. According to Tecmo, the name change was due to the opinion that "Ultimate would more accurately describe the feeling players feel upon experiences with the game".[5]

Hitomi from Dead or Alive 3 was added to the game roster as an unlockable character, and owning a copy of Dead or Alive 3 makes Hitomi accessible in Dead or Alive Ultimate. 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 Kasumi-themed extras.[6] 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 North American release also contains the Booster Pack for the North American version of Dead or Alive 3, which adds numerous character costumes found in the European and Japanese versions of Dead or Alive 3. This disc also included the G4-produced segment from their Icons series entitled "Dead or Alive", 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. A guide book titled Dead or Alive Ultimate: Prima Official Game Guide by Prima Games was released on November 4, 2004. The Platinum Collection of the game was released in 2005.

Backwards compatibility and re-release

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.[1] On November 10, 2021, Dead or Alive 1 Ultimate and Dead or Alive 2 Ultimate became available to download separately on Xbox Live worldwide along with Dead or Alive 3, hinting at the addition of the games to backward compatibility program. On November 15, 2021, all 3 games were added to the line up and became playable on Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S.[2]

Reception

Reception
Aggregate scores
AggregatorScore
GameRankings84%[7]
Metacritic83/100[8]
Review scores
PublicationScore
1Up.comA[9]
Eurogamer8/10[10]
Famitsu32/40[11]
Game Informer9/10[14]
GamePro4.5/5[12]
GameSpot8.8/10[16]
GameSpyStarStarStarStar[17]
GamesRadar+9/10[15]
GameZone9.6/10[13]
IGN9.2/10[18]
OXM (US)8.8/10[19]
PALGN8/10[20]
TeamXbox9.5/10[21]
Detroit Free PressStarStarStarStar[22]
Yahoo! GamesStarStarStarStarHalf star[23]
Awards
PublicationAward
National Academy of Video Game Trade Reviewers (NAVGTR)Game…Sequel Fighting[24]
IGNBest Fighting Game of 2004[25]
Xbox: Best Graphics of 2004[26]
Xbox: Best Non-Playable Presentation (E3 2004)[27]

Dead or Alive Ultimate received generally favorable reviews from critics with a score of 84.14% and 83/100 from review aggregators GameRankings and Metacritic. In Japan, Famitsu gave it a score of 32 out of 40.[11]

IGN's Hilary Golden praised its online functionality, stating how "the online set-up goes well beyond what has been previously done for fighting games and betters some online first-person shooters to boot". Golden concluded that "the greatly improved arenas, the plethora of costumes, the addition of slope moves, and the implementation of Xbox Live play makes DOA Ultimate one of the best games this year".[18] GameSpot's Greg Kasavin called it "a landmark achievement in the fighting game genre's history-in-the-making", praising its innovative, impressive and well implemented online component, and praised how the Dead or Alive gameplay formula held up well over the years. Kasavin criticized the gameplay being unchanged from years-old predecessors and the absence of Dead or Alive 3 characters "Hayate", "Christie", and "Brad Wong" from the roster, but concluded that "For a game that's so bold as to call itself "Ultimate", DOAU sure comes close. It truly is the best, most fully featured title in the Dead or Alive series yet".[16]

Sales and awards

Dead or Alive Ultimate topped the Japanese charts on release, coming in number 4 during Week 45 in 2004.[28] Prior to release, the game's E3 presentation was awarded "Best Non-Playable Xbox Presentation" by IGN.[27] After its release, it was awarded "Fighting Game of the Year" at the 2004 National Academy of Video Game Trade Reviewers Awards (NAVGTR Awards).[24] IGN awarded the game "Best Fighting Game of 2004" and "Best Xbox Graphics of 2004" during their Best of 2004 awards.[25][26] It also received a runner-up position in GameSpot's 2004 "Best Fighting Game" category across all platforms, losing to Software:Mortal Kombat: Deception.[29] Dead or Alive Ultimate was re-issued in the Platinum Collection line of games in 2005.

Legacy

Dead or Alive Ultimate was the first Japanese fighting game and the second fighting game after Mortal Kombat: Deception to offer online multiplayer. Dead or Alive Ultimate's online mode along with the online modes of Mortal Kombat: Deception and the Xbox version of Street Fighter Anniversary Collection, connected players of different regions together during the time the fighting game community (FGC) was in a state of stagnation.

In 2005, Dead or Alive Ultimate became the first fighting game to be included in the World Cyber Games (WCG).[30]

Notes


References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Original Xbox Games Playable on Xbox 360". http://www.xbox.com/en-US/games/backwardcompatibilitygameslist.htm. 
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Microsoft's Xbox backward compatibility program returns with 76 new games" (in en). 15 November 2021. https://www.theverge.com/2021/11/15/22782746/microsoft-xbox-backward-compatibility-76-new-games. 
  3. ↑ "Insignia - Dead or Alive Ultimate" (in en). https://insignia.live/games/54430006. 
  4. ↑ Xbox, Pure (2022-12-21). "Xbox Live 1.0 Replacement Adds More Supported Titles, 40 Games Now Playable" (in en-GB). https://www.purexbox.com/news/2022/12/xbox-live-1-0-replacement-adds-more-supported-titles-40-games-now-playable. 
  5. ↑ Thorsen, Tor (2004). "Dead or Alive Online now Dead or Alive Ultimate". Gamespot. http://www.gamespot.com/xbox/action/doaonline/news.html?sid=6086518. 
  6. ↑ "Toned-down DOA Ultimate Xbox bundle hitting Japan". http://www.gamespot.com/news/6104105.html. 
  7. ↑ "Dead or Alive Ultimate for Xbox". CBS Interactive. https://www.gamerankings.com/xbox/914836-dead-or-alive-ultimate/index.html. 
  8. ↑ "Dead or Alive Ultimate for Xbox Reviews". CBS Interactive. https://www.metacritic.com/game/dead-or-alive-ultimate/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox. 
  9. ↑ "DOA Ultimate Review for XBOX". 2004-10-26. http://www.1up.com/reviews/doa-ultimate_6. 
  10. ↑ Fahey, Rob (2005-02-16). "Dead or Alive Ultimate Review • Reviews • Xbox •". Eurogamer.net. http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/r_doaultimate_x. 
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 "Xbox - DEAD OR ALIVE ULTIMATE" (in ja). Famitsu. November 3, 2004. https://www.famitsu.com/cominy/?m=pc&a=page_h_title&title_id=10586&redirect=no. 
  12. ↑ "Review: Dead or Alive Ultimate for Xbox on GamePro.com". 2007-06-08. http://www.gamepro.com/microsoft/xbox/games/reviews/39308.shtml. 
  13. ↑ "Dead or Alive Ultimate Review on Xbox". 2004-11-11. http://xbox.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r22267.htm. 
  14. ↑ Game Informer, December 2004, page 182
  15. ↑ "Games Radar - XBOX reviews - Dead or Alive Ultimate - Girls with giant breasts battle other girls with giant breasts. Brilliant!". http://gamesradar.com/us/xbox/game/reviews/article.jsp?articleId=2005121520517526063&sectionId=1000. 
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 "Dead or Alive Ultimate Review". GameSpot. 2004-10-26. https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/dead-or-alive-ultimate-review/1900-6111467/. 
  17. ↑ "GameSpy: Dead or Alive Ultimate - Page 1". Xbox.gamespy.com. http://xbox.gamespy.com/xbox/dead-or-alive-ultimate/560510p1.html. 
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 "Dead or Alive Ultimate - IGN". Uk.ign.com. 26 October 2004. http://uk.ign.com/articles/2004/10/26/dead-or-alive-ultimate-2. 
  19. ↑ Official Xbox Magazine, Holiday 2004, page 66
  20. ↑ "Dead or Alive Ultimate Review - Xbox Video Game Review". 2005-03-07. http://palgn.com.au/xbox/1973/dead-or-alive-ultimate-review/. 
  21. ↑ "Dead or Alive Ultimate Review (Xbox)". Reviews.teamxbox.com. 2004-10-26. http://reviews.teamxbox.com/xbox/827/Dead-or-Alive-Ultimate/p1. 
  22. ↑ "RECENT VIDEO GAME RELEASES: Dead or Alive: Ultimate; Lord of the Rings: The Third Age; WWE SmackDown vs. Raw". http://www.freep.com/entertainment/videogames/gmini21e_20041121.htm. 
  23. ↑ "Dead or Alive Ultimate - Xbox - Video Game Review - Yahoo! Video Games". http://videogames.yahoo.com/gamereview?cid=1951016492&tab=reviews&page=0&eid=51275. 
  24. ↑ 24.0 24.1 "2004 Awards". National Academy of Video Game Testers and Reviewers. http://navgtr.org/decade/2004-awards/. 
  25. ↑ 25.0 25.1 "IGN.com presents The Best of 2004". IGN. http://bestof.ign.com/2004/overall/3.html. 
  26. ↑ 26.0 26.1 "IGN.com presents The Best of 2004". IGN. http://bestof.ign.com/2004/xbox/10.html. 
  27. ↑ 27.0 27.1 "Xbox Best of E3 2004 Awards". IGN. 2004-05-21. https://www.ign.com/articles/2004/05/21/xbox-best-of-e3-2004-awards. 
  28. ↑ Game Data Library - 2004 Weekly
  29. ↑ "Best and Worst of 2004". GameSpot. January 5, 2005. http://www.gamespot.com/gamespot/features/all/bestof2004/. 
  30. ↑ "WCG Official Website - WCG History - WCG 2005". World Cyber Games. http://www.wcg.com//6th//history//wcg2005//wcg2005_overview.asp. 
  • Official website (in Japanese)
  • MobyGames is a commercial database website that catalogs information on video games and the people and companies behind them via crowdsourcing. This includes over 300,000 games for hundreds of platforms.[1] Founded in 1999, ownership of the site has changed hands several times. It has been owned by Atari SA since 2022.

Features

Edits and submissions to the site (including screenshots, box art, developer information, game summaries, and more) go through a verification process of fact-checking by volunteer "approvers".[2] This lengthy approval process after submission can range from minutes to days or months.[3] The most commonly used sources are the video game's website, packaging, and credit screens. There is a published standard for game information and copy-editing.[4] A ranking system allows users to earn points for contributing accurate information.[5]

Registered users can rate and review games. Users can create private or public "have" and "want" lists, which can generate a list of games available for trade with other registered users. The site contains an integrated forum. Each listed game can have its own sub-forum.

History

Logo used until March 2014

MobyGames was founded on March 1, 1999, by Jim Leonard and Brian Hirt, and joined by David Berk 18 months later, the three of which had been friends since high school.[6][7] Leonard had the idea of sharing information about computer games with a larger audience. The database began with information about games for IBM PC compatibles, relying on the founders' personal collections. Eventually, the site was opened up to allow general users to contribute information.[5] In a 2003 interview, Berk emphasized MobyGames' dedication to taking video games more seriously than broader society and to preserving games for their important cultural influence.[5]

In mid-2010, MobyGames was purchased by GameFly for an undisclosed amount.[8] This was announced to the community post factum , and the site's interface was given an unpopular redesign.[7] A few major contributors left, refusing to do volunteer work for a commercial website.{{Citation needed|date=June 2025} On December 18, 2013, MobyGames was acquired by Jeremiah Freyholtz, owner of Blue Flame Labs (a San Francisco-based game and web development company) and VGBoxArt (a site for fan-made video game box art).[9] Blue Flame Labs reverted MobyGames' interface to its pre-overhaul look and feel,[10] and for the next eight years, the site was run by Freyholtz and Independent Games Festival organizer Simon Carless.[7]

On November 24, 2021, Atari SA announced a potential deal with Blue Flame Labs to purchase MobyGames for $1.5 million.[11] The purchase was completed on 8 March 2022, with Freyholtz remaining as general manager.[12][13][14] Over the next year, the financial boost given by Atari led to a rework of the site being built from scratch with a new backend codebase, as well as updates improving the mobile and desktop user interface.[1] This was accomplished by investing in full-time development of the site instead of its previously part-time development.[15]

In 2024, MobyGames began offering a paid "Pro" membership option for the site to generate additional revenue.[16] Previously, the site had generated income exclusively through banner ads and (from March 2014 onward) a small number of patrons via the Patreon website.[17]

See also

  • IGDB – game database used by Twitch for its search and discovery functions

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Sheehan, Gavin (2023-02-22). "Atari Relaunches The Fully Rebuilt & Optimized MobyGames Website". https://bleedingcool.com/games/atari-relaunches-the-fully-rebuilt-optimized-mobygames-website/. 
  2. ↑ Litchfield, Ted (2021-11-26). "Zombie company Atari to devour MobyGames". https://www.pcgamer.com/zombie-company-atari-to-devour-mobygames/. 
  3. ↑ "MobyGames FAQ: Emails Answered § When will my submission be approved?". Blue Flame Labs. 30 March 2014. http://www.mobygames.com/info/faq7#g1. 
  4. ↑ "The MobyGames Standards and Practices". Blue Flame Labs. 6 January 2016. http://www.mobygames.com/info/standards. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Miller, Stanley A. (2003-04-22). "People's choice awards honor favorite Web sites". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. 
  6. ↑ "20 Years of MobyGames" (in en). 2019-02-28. https://trixter.oldskool.org/2019/02/28/20-years-of-mobygames/. 
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Plunkett, Luke (2022-03-10). "Atari Buys MobyGames For $1.5 Million". https://kotaku.com/mobygames-retro-credits-database-imdb-atari-freyholtz-b-1848638521. 
  8. ↑ "Report: MobyGames Acquired By GameFly Media". Gamasutra. 2011-02-07. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/game-platforms/report-mobygames-acquired-by-gamefly-media. 
  9. ↑ Corriea, Alexa Ray (December 31, 2013). "MobyGames purchased from GameFly, improvements planned". http://www.polygon.com/2013/12/31/5261414/mobygames-purchased-from-gamefly-improvements-planned. 
  10. ↑ Wawro, Alex (31 December 2013). "Game dev database MobyGames getting some TLC under new owner". Gamasutra. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/game-dev-database-mobygames-getting-some-tlc-under-new-owner. 
  11. ↑ "Atari invests in Anstream, may buy MobyGames". November 24, 2021. https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2021-11-24-atari-invests-in-anstream-may-buy-mobygames. 
  12. ↑ Rousseau, Jeffrey (2022-03-09). "Atari purchases Moby Games". https://www.gamesindustry.biz/atari-purchases-moby-games. 
  13. ↑ "Atari Completes MobyGames Acquisition, Details Plans for the Site's Continued Support". March 8, 2022. https://www.atari.com/atari-completes-mobygames-acquisition-details-plans-for-the-sites-continued-support/. 
  14. ↑ "Atari has acquired game database MobyGames for $1.5 million" (in en-GB). 2022-03-09. https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/atari-has-acquired-game-database-mobygames-for-1-5-million/. 
  15. ↑ Stanton, Rich (2022-03-10). "Atari buys videogame database MobyGames for $1.5 million". https://www.pcgamer.com/atari-buys-videogame-database-mobygames-for-dollar15-million/. 
  16. ↑ Harris, John (2024-03-09). "MobyGames Offering “Pro” Membership". https://setsideb.com/mobygames-offering-pro-membership/. 
  17. ↑ "MobyGames on Patreon". http://www.patreon.com/mobygames. 
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