With the recent release of Street Fighter 6, the announcement of Mortal Kombat 1 and the continued threat of Tekken 8 coming soon, it's starting to feel like every major fighting game franchise is getting a new installment. Well, all of them except for Dead or Alive, which hasn't seen a new sequel since part six in 2019. This got me wondering what Electronic Gaming Monthly thought of this top-heavy franchise and its even more salacious beach volleyball spin-off. Was this series a real contender or just another gimmicky wannabe?
Now, in case you're wondering, EGM reviewed a total of eight games in the Dead or Alive franchise. That includes most of the sequels, remakes, ports and sports-based spin-offs. Unfortunately, it does not include Dead or Alive 5 or 6, two games that were released years after the magazine ceased production. The good news is that there are more than enough games and opinions to make for a great list. What we're going to do today is countdown the best and worst Dead or Alive games using Electronic Gaming Monthly's own words and scores. There's no editorializing here, we're going to focus on what the critics said back when these games first came out. So, go and grab your favorite floral bikini, because it's time for another physics-defying episode of EGM Ranks Dead or Alive.
Dead or Alive Xtreme 2 (Xbox 360)
#8
“Look at those things go, zooming this way and zigging that, like two big F-yous to the laws of physics. But once the novelty of a zero-gravity tit simulator wears off – which, for me, was around 30 seconds in – it all gets very unexciting. The volleyball's bad, the minigames are meh, and you'll spend more time buying crap and gift-wrapping it than ogling digital flesh. Let's not forget the real victims – those 13-year-old boys who think they're dropping $60 on a sure thing, but are actually buying a shopping sim. May your future romantic disappointments be less expensive.” (4.3 out of 10)
Dead or Alive 4 (Xbox 360)
#7
“Dead or Alive 4 comes very close to being a competitive fighting game, but its failings in a few key areas cripple its longevity. Although it's by far the series' best entry, DOA4 still boggles the mind with its insanely unbalanced characters and easily exploitable moves. The game's new reversal system makes it harder to mash on the counter button to reverse attacks, but it's too convoluted for its own good. Yet DOA4 is undeniably fun, and you'd almost overlook these quirks if the game didn't suffer from some serious bugs, be it the hopelessly lag-laden Xbox Live play or the glitch that erases your saved game at random. Maybe these problems will be ironed out in the DOA4: Ultimate version?” (6.7 out of 10)
Dead or Alive: Xtreme Beach Volleyball (Xbox)
#6
“I think most young men have dreamt of this: A bunch of fine young ladies in skimpy swimsuits frolicking with each other on the beach ... mmmm. Unfortunately, Xtreme Breast, er Beach Volleyball proves that it's not as much fun as it sounds. This is just Barbie Shopping with a mediocre volleyball game attached to it. Honestly, the actual sports bits basically play themselves – you only occasionally need to tap a button. And though the whole package is compelling for a little while, it's not worth the price of admission. Save the cash and order Cinemax or a subscription to Playboy instead.” (7.2 out of 10)
Dead or Alive Ultimate (Xbox)
#5
“Developer Team Ninja's built the perfect system for playing fighting games online – a versatile matchmaking interface, great spectator features, a tougher reversal system and network performance that doesn't get in the way of a competitive match. As for the fighting games you play with it, though – it's been a long wait for something we first tried five years ago. At full price, this is a good buy for longtime fans who want online competition, but it's not as exciting as an all-new game would be.” (7.3 out of 10)
Dead or Alive (PlayStation)
#4
“Dead or Alive just isn't my cup of tea. It's a solid game, with lots of technique, but it's not terribly exciting. The best part of the game is the reversal system (bouncy mammaries aside). But after throwing a few here and there, I found myself looking for more exciting fighters, like the Tobals. If you're looking for something that might take a while to master, then Dead or Alive may be for you. It's not for the casual fight fan.” (7.6 out of 10)
Dead or Alive 3 (PlayStation 2)
#3
“What started off as one of the most anticipated Xbox launch titles has finished as just a prettier version of the last game, DOA2: Hardcore. I'm sure you've heard this countless times by now, but for good reason. It's going to take a pretty hardcore DOA player to find the subtle differences between this game and the previous PlayStation 2 edition. A more suitable title for this would've been DOA2: Slightly More Hardcore This Time. But DOA3 is still a solid game, with the juiciest eye candy of any of the Xbox titles so far. It's clear whom this game is made for: Diehard series fans or those who haven't played the PS2 version.” (8 out of 10)
DOA2: Hardcore (PlayStation 2)
#2
“I really enjoyed Dead or Alive 2 on the Dreamcast so, naturally, I really enjoyed it here, too, but not quite as much. Perhaps it's just me, but DOA2 Hardcore doesn't seem to be as responsive as the DC version – sometimes I noticed a small lag in trying to counter moves or switching characters. It wasn't sluggish to the extent that it really hurt the game, but it was certainly annoying for someone who was weaned on the DC release's timing. The graphics are phenomenal though, and the new modes, costumes and stages are keen, making this a must-purchase for fighting fans – and even with its small problems, there's no doubt DOA2 plays better than Tekken Tag.” (8.5 out of 10)
Dead or Alive 2 (Dreamcast)
#1
“Dead or Alive 2 would be this system's best fighter to date, had Namco not brought out you-know-what. Everything about this game is absolutely amazing: Excellent hit detection, ultra-realistic animation, beautiful backgrounds, etc. The fighting engine isn't as flashy/arcadey as some other popular titles – this is definitely better suited for more hardcore players. But once you get used to its fighting style, you'll be hooked. This is a deep and wonderful game.” (8.75 out of 10)
