Dead or Alive 5 Message Board

Dead or Alive 5 Ultimate will be adding more new faces to its roster, developer Team Ninja tweeted today. The fighters will be introduced into arcade versions of the game first, and come to consoles later.

Team Ninja also announced that the yet-to-be-revealed fighters will be grouped together as part of a "New Characters" set after all of them have made their way to DOA5 Ultimate Arcade, but that such a pack would not be available for at least six months.

Marie Rose, the newest fighter to the DOA universe, will be punching and kicking her way across PS3 on March 25, and Xbox 360 one day later. [Image: Tecmo Koei]

Tecmo Koei announced that a new character will join Dead or Alive 5 Ultimate's playable lineup later this month on the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3.

Marie Rose, previously seen in the Japan-exclusive Dead or Alive 5 Ultimate Arcade, will be released as add-on DLC for the console version of Ultimate. At just under five feet in height, Marie is the shortest fighter in the game, giving her an edge over beefier opponents like Bass and Bayman. A new patch for Dead or Alive 5 Ultimate will accompany Marie Rose's debut, adding the free Lorelei Stage as a playable arena.

The Marie Rose character pack will be available for $5.99 when it hits the PlayStation Network on March 25 and Xbox Live on March 26. Additional costumes are priced at $1.99 each.

[Image: Tecmo Koei]

Springtime will see Marie Rose blossom onto the console versions of Dead or Alive 5 Ultimate, Team Ninja revealed. As reported by Siliconera and Shoryuken, her addition will be preceded by a February update, bringing - what else - new costumes to the brawler.

To recap, Dead or Alive 5 Ultimate is the expanded re-release of the 2012 game, adding new stages, characters, modes, and the like. As for Marie Rose, Team Ninja added the Lolita madam to the arcade version of DoA5U back in November, finally filling the game's dearth of scantily-clad ladies.

There's no confirmation these dates apply outside of Japan, but the good news is that DoA5 updates have traditionally been concurrent or thereabouts across the globe.

When Dead or Alive 5 Ultimate debuts in Japanese arcades, players will be introduced to an additional character not seen in the game's newly-released console incarnation.

Who exactly this new fighter might be remains a mystery. The Dead or Alive 5 Ultimate roster includes almost every notable character found in earlier Dead or Alive entries, and with the addition of Rachel and Momiji from Tecmo Koei's Ninja Gaiden franchise, developer Team Ninja is running out of potential cameo characters. Neither Tecmo Koei nor Team Ninja have offered any hints on the fighter's identity.

It was revealed in July that Dead or Alive 5 Ultimate: Arcade will be distributed to Japanese arcades via Sega's "ALL.Net P-ras MULTI Ver. 2," a digital platform that delivers games to online-capable arcade cabinets located in Japanese amusement centers. To date there's been no mention of a Western release for Dead or Alive 5 Ultimate: Arcade, nor any word on when the game might debut in Japan.

Dead or Alive 5 Ultimate is preparing to enter the retail arena on September 3, with a smattering of new offline modes and costumes on top of the new characters announced previously. Team Fight is one such addition: You select a team of up to seven fighters and take on another team of scrappers, either controlled by another player or the AI.

Survival mode adds item drops in Dead or Alive 5 Ultimate, which should be familiar to those who've spent time with Dead or Alive 4's variant. Beginners can benefit from an expanded Tutorial mode and a Combo Challenge mode, the latter aimed at teaching players how to chain together succinct strikes and power moves.

Coughing up the entry fee to the latest DOA Tournament early either through Amazon or GameStop will secure some "pop idol" costumes for the female fighters. Finally, Team Ninja confirms all costumes acquired in Dead or Alive 5 are transferable to Ultimate, because playing as a near-naked Brad Wong is clearly the only way to go.

Retailer-specific costume packs will be awarded for pre-orders of Dead or Alive 5 Ultimate in Europe, Tecmo Koei has announced. GAME has "a colorful pack" of costumes for Kokoro, Lei Fang, Hitomi and Mila, while Amazon will hook it up with costumes for female ninjas Kasumi and Ayane. Other retailers will offer a six-outfit collaboration to cover Christie, Helena, Tina, Lisa and new combatants Momiji and Rachel.

Tecmo Koei did not share any images of the garb in question alongside the press release, which we've tucked past the break. We've also inquired about North America details and will update this post when we hear back.

Dead or Alive 5 Ultimate launches on September 3 for the Xbox 360 and PS3; a free-to-play version called Core Fighters is "planned" for simultaneous launch on PSN. Dead or Alive 5 Ultimate includes additional fighters, a variety of costume DLC from the original Dead or Alive 5 as well as content found in the PS Vita port, Dead or Alive 5 Plus.

Tecmo Koei is trying its hand with a free-to-play alternative version of Dead or Alive 5 Ultimate, subtitled Core Fighters, in addition to the full retail game. Core Fighters is a PS3 download "planned" for September 3 in North America. As Famitsu reports (via Siliconera), Tecmo Koei is in talks with Microsoft about an Xbox 360 version.

Core Fighters includes four playable characters: Ryu Hayabusa, Hayate, Kasumi, and Ayane. Opponents span the same roster as the full version, and all stages are included. Tutorial and training modes make the F2P version as well, but the story mode does not. In terms of in-game purchases, additional characters cost $4, while the story mode is $15.

As for online play, it's enabled for free, and players using the F2P and retail versions of Ultimate can fight each other. However, neither version of Ultimate is compatible for online tussles against players using the original Dead or Alive 5, or Dead or Alive 5 Plus on Vita.

Tecmo Koei is trying its hand with a free-to-play alternative version of Dead or Alive 5 Ultimate, subtitled Core Fighters, in addition to the full retail game. Core Fighters is a PS3 download "planned" for September 3 in North America. As Famitsu reports (via Siliconera), Tecmo Koei is in talks with Microsoft about an Xbox 360 version.

Core Fighters includes four playable characters: Ryu Hayabusa, Hayate, Kasumi, and Ayane. Opponents span the same roster as the full version, and all stages are included. Tutorial and training modes make the F2P version as well, but the story mode does not. In terms of in-game purchases, additional characters cost $4, while the story mode is $15.

As for online play, it's enabled for free, and players using the F2P and retail versions of Ultimate can fight each other. However, neither version of Ultimate is compatible for online tussles against players using the original Dead or Alive 5, or Dead or Alive 5 Plus on Vita.

Dead or Alive 5 Ultimate will launch across Xbox 360 and PS3 on September 3 in North America, Tecmo-Koei announced today in its annual pre-E3 missive.

Dead or Alive 5 Ultimate is an expanded version of Team Ninja's 2012 fighter, Dead or Alive 5. The Ultimate port has additional fighters and content, including everything found in the PS Vita port, Dead or Alive 5 Plus. Last week, Team Ninja revealed Virtua Fighter mainstay Jacky Bryant and DOA series amnesiac Ein have joined the cast.

The publisher will have Team Ninja's fighter on-hand at E3 in Los Angeles next month, along with Yaiba: Ninja Gaiden Z, Atelier Meruru Plus: The Apprentice of Arlend, Dynasty Warriors 8 and Toukiden.

Virtua Fighter's Jacky Bryant will join his sister Sarah in Dead or Alive 5 Ultimate and, in a new trailer and set of screens, the pair team up in a tag match. We get a good glimpse at some of the spiky-haired brawler's move set, alongside Ultimate's other new cast member, Ein.

Dead or Alive 5 Ultimate is an upcoming retail and digital re-release on Xbox 360 and PS3 of last year's Team Ninja fighter, Dead or Alive 5. Ultimate includes modes and content from the PS Vita port Dead or Alive 5 Plus, like additional stages - some themed around Ninja Gaiden - and, of course, extra characters.

Joining Ninja Gaiden's Momiji as new characters in Dead or Alive 5 Ultimate are Ein and Jacky Bryant, the latter from the Virtua Fighter series. As revealed in the latest issue of Famitsu (via Siliconera and Game Jouhou), the spiky-haired racer gels with the other combatants when the PS3 and Xbox 360 game hits Japan on September 5.

The Ultimate version of DoA 5 is confirmed to arrive in the west this fall, both at retail and on digital platforms.

The newest edition of Dead or Alive 5 offers new characters, modes, and stages from Dead or Alive 5 Plus along with brand new characters.

Dead or Alive 5 Ultimate is officially heading to Xbox 360 and PS3 this fall as a retail and digital game. This version of Dead or Alive 5 is so Ultimate because it includes modes from the Vita's Dead or Alive 5 Plus, new stages, new fighters and cameos from Ninja Gaiden - including levels such as Sky City Tokyo and the character Momiji, as was rumored earlier this week.

"The largest lineup in DOA history includes the first ever appearance of Ninja Gaiden's Momiji, who utilizes the Hayabusa-style Aikijutsu taught to her by the master himself, Ryu Hayabusa," the Ultimate press release reads. Said lineup also appears to include the return of Leon, a fighter who debuted in Dead or Alive 2.

An enhanced version of last year's Dead or Alive 5, dubbed Dead or Alive 5 Ultimate, will fight its way onto the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 at some point in the future, according to a story at Siliconera. The announcement, made in the pages of the latest issue of Famitsu, states that Ninja Gaiden's Momiji will be added as a playable fighter.

Momiji's inclusion in a new Dead or Alive project was teased during a Japanese tournament late last month. We've reached out to Tecmo Koei for more information and will update with anything we learn regarding North American and European plans.

Team Ninja announced a new Dead or Alive 5 project this weekend, and it looks to be a new game featuring the Momiji character from the Ninja Gaiden series. As Shoryuken reports, the brief teaser trailer shown at the "TGN Playse #1" tournament didn't divulge much beyond it "coming soon" to Xbox 360 and PS3.

The katana-brandishing Momiji first appeared in DS entry Dragon Sword, before gracing the series proper as a playable character in Ninja Gaiden 2. Ryu's apprentice then came to Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor's Edge as a playable character through DLC. Unlike some of Ninja Gaiden's protagonists, she's yet to star in Team Ninja's DoA series.

When approached, a Tecmo Koei spokesperson said she was unable to comment.

For specifics about the updates coming to Dead or Alive 5 with the version 1.03a patch - hitting PS3 today and Xbox this month - consult this list. One of the listed changes makes it easier to continue combos in Tag Mode, and to see what that change means consult the above video.

Dead or Alive 5 patch 1.03 hit the PS3 on January 22 and was originally scheduled to launch on Xbox 360 on January 29, but that's not going to happen now. The patch has a bug that affects stagger escapes and "prevents users from enjoying the intended design of DOA5," and the Xbox 360 version and a corrected PS3 patch are now scheduled for February, Team Ninja says on Twitter.

The proper patch 1.03 will launch at the same time as the Hotties Swimwear and Zack Island Stage DLC packs for Xbox 360 next month.

"Our deepest regrets for the inconvenience this has caused and we appreciate your continued support," Team Ninja tweets.

A new patch has been issued for Dead or Alive 5, available today on the PS3 and next week on Xbox 360, January 29 - a patch that institutes a dizzying array of character-specific fixes, plus a lengthy list of general purpose balances. Seriously, it's a massive list, so feel free to peruse all the numerous tweaks here.

There's also a free island paradise-themed level included in the Dead or Alive 5 version 1.03 update for all players: Zack Island. It's all part of a one-two punch (see what we did there?) that includes the 1.03 update and its free content, followed by several island-appropriate outfits available should fighters wish to throw down a bit of cash for dress-up. Of course, the attire in question is swimsuits. It was never going to be anything but swimsuits.

Dead or Alive 5 will soon allow direct uploads of your match replays to YouTube (on PS3) and Facebook (on both PS3 and Xbox 360.) The functionality is part of the "Ver. 1.03" update, which is being prepared for an unspecified time. The company revealed this feature on its Twitter account, where it also talked about other patch changes, like the ability to search for matches by connection quality, and "throwdowns" added to ranked matches.

The above footage is a test of the direct upload. Troublingly, it's in 360p. "And did you catch some of the little tweaks to the fighting game itself?" Team Ninja teased, revealing the existence of other gameplay-oriented changes that longtime players might be able to spot.

The elves over at Team Ninja's workshop have completed the latest round of costumes for Dead or Alive 5. Well-timed Santa suits for each brawler are bundled into six fighter-specific sets, available now for 240 MS Points ($3) each on Xbox Live Marketplace and PlayStation Network. There's also the option of two larger set packs costing 640 MS Points ($7.99) each.

We've got a bunch of screens in our gallery below, in case you're wondering what a Ninja Santa looked like. Go ahead, it's only natural to feel curious about something called Ninja Santa.

The Dead or Alive 5 outfitters remain unrelentingly diligent, with the game's fifth round of costumes out today on Xbox Live Marketplace and PlayStation Network. The China Pack, Formal Wear, and Special 3 sets are now available on XBLM for 400 MSP each, or bundled together for 1040 MSP. On the PS Store the individual sets are priced $4.99, and the all-in-one bundle $12.99.

DOA5's male characters actually get a decent look-in this time. Three of the lads get their Chinese fighting gear on, meanwhile Eliot is dressed as a bartender, Bass as a mafia dude, and Zack as a cross between C-3PO and an alien clubber. Of course, it wouldn't be Dead or Alive without a few eyebrow-raisers. If you're planning to peruse the gallery below, brace your eyes for Christie in "black leather bondage gear."

We're sure there's a subset of the gaming population who didn't pre-order Dead or Alive 5 from GameStop or Amazon, only to burst into tears when they later realized that the swimsuit costumes were exclusive to those retailers. This one's for you.

The following Dead or Alive 5 swimsuit packs are now available for $3 or 240 MS Points via PSN and XBLM: Angels (white suits for Kasumi, Hitomi and Leifang), Devils (black for Ayane, Christie and Tina) and DOATEC Divas (bunny ears for Kokoro, Lisa and Helena).

For $5 (360 MS Points) grab the Player's Swimwear Pack 1 with bikini'd out Kasumi, Kokoro, Helena and Sarah; Pack 2 with Hitomi, Leifang, Mila and Pai charm; or Pack 3 for Ayane, Christie, Tina and Lisa. The Player's Swimwear Set includes all three Swimwear Packs for $13 (1040 MS Points).

Dry those tears. It'd be a shame to get these swimsuits wet.

Right on cue, Dead or Alive 5's third round of costumes arrive today. The three new sets are already downloadable on Xbox Live Marketplace, and should be up on PSN today too. Each set is priced at 400 MSP/$4.99, with the full 3-in-1 pack going for 1040 MSP/$12.99.

As you can see from the screenshots below, there's a 'Gym' set, a 'Uniform' set, and a second 'Special' set. Although it looks like someone's stolen Mila's bunny get-up and just left the ears.

In more attired news, Tecmo Koei say DoA5 shipped 580,000 copies in its first month.

Tecmo Koei shipped out 580,000 copies of Dead or Alive 5 in the game's first month of release. The company revealed the figure yesterday in its second quarter financial report. While it reads a little unclear through Google Translate, given the timing and the nature of the report these are likely shipment rather than sales figures.

While shipment figures aren't always great indicators of sales, 580,000 compares reasonably to the 700,000 copies Dead or Alive 4 shipped worldwide in its first two months.

Tecmo also revealed a year-on-year improvement of 26.0% for operating income in the first half of its fiscal year, up to ¥897 million ($11.3 million). The company's revenue improved by 0.7% up to ¥13,724 million ($172.7 million).

Meanwhile, the game's third wave of downloadable outfits hits Japan today. Tecmo hasn't yet revealed when they'll be available here - revealed being very much the operating word.

#deadoralive Around five years ago (or so), it was a bit of a thing in Japan for game companies to release mousepads, featuring female characters with large breasts for PC users to rest their hands on. So no surprises here with these upcoming Dead or Alive 5 mousepads—nor is it surprising to see them pop up five years later. Not at all. More »

Rounds of Dead or Alive 5 costume packs are apparently rolling out every two weeks, after a PlayStation Japan update revealed the third set is coming to that country's PSN on October 30. There's no mention of what costumes are being included, or of them coming to PSN in other regions on the same date.

The initial free costume pack dropped worldwide on October 2, then a slew of packs arrived two days ago, two weeks after the first pack. We'd say logic takes us to another round of costume packs for North America's XBLM and PSN on October 30, but we know better than to apply rational thinking to a Dead or Alive game.

The latest slew of DLC costume packs for Dead or Alive 5 includes one awesome thing (above), some normal-lookin' street clothes and then a whole bunch of stuff we'd be embarrassed to describe in public.

"Kitty Pack," as you might suspect, includes cat ears and corset-ish catsuits for Christie, Helena, Tina and Lisa. The "What a Character" pack adds two maid outfits for Hitomi and Mila that are more of the "Octoberfest Bar maid" variety than the "French House maid" type you might expect, a slinky gown and mask for Lisa, and "bartender britches" for Rig.

Lastly, the "Special Set" gives Kasumi and Leifang access to their traditional overalls and panda-bear outfits, respectively, in addition to "fiend" Hayabusa and an even slinkier evening gown for Lisa. Each pack is available now for $4.99/400 MSP, and all three can be purchased together via the "Round 2 Costumes - Full Set" pack, which at the moment is only available on the 360 for 1040 MSP. PlayStation 3 owners looking for a sweet costume discount will have to wait until next week, when the Full Set becomes available for $12.99.

The PS Vita version of 2007′s PlayStation 3 dice ‘em up Ninja Gaiden Sigma was satisfying evidence of just how comfortable a full, lightning-fast console action game can feel on a handheld. Duly, Team Ninja’s announcement last month that a sequel – Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 Plus – is currently in development came as very welcome news.

PlayStation.Blog sat down for a quick chat with Team Ninja boss Yosuke Hayashi to find out what it has in store with its new Vita game, as well as mysterious new project Yaiba: Ninja Gaiden Z and recent release Dead or Alive 5.

PlayStation.Blog: It’s not been long since the release of Ninja Gaiden Sigma Plus. Why are we seeing a sequel so soon?
Yosuke Hayashi, Team Ninja: We released Sigma Plus earlier this year and it actually did better than we expected, and there was a lot of fan demand for releasing a sequel. We were really happy with the results we got with the original, so that’s why we’re announcing Sigma 2 Plus.

PSB: What new features are you adding over and above the PlayStation 3 original?
YH: PlayStation Vita is definitely an easy console to play games on. It’s very friendly for a Ninja Gaiden kind of game. We really learned that making the first Sigma Plus. With the sequel we’re looking to add in some really good additional hardcore elements – things that people who really know the game and loved Sigma 2 will get into and enjoy.

PSB: What makes PS Vita a good fit for a high velocity action series like Ninja Gaiden?
YH: I don’t know if it’s a perfect fit, but it has the power and everything you need to play these kinds of games. You’re not always in an environment where you can play a full console game, but if you have a Vita you can have the same experience right there in the palm of your hand. It has the power to deliver an equivalent experience.

PSB: You recently showed off a brief teaser trailer for Yaiba: Ninja Gaiden Z – your new collaboration with Mega Man creator Keiji Inafune. Is that something Sony customers can get excited about?
YH: You’ll have to wait a little bit longer for more information but I’m sure everybody will be able to have some fun with it!

PSB: There are so many zombie games out there right now? Is there still room for new ideas and innovation in the genre?
YH: Absolutely, there are definitely new elements we can add to the zombie genre. It got to play like a Ninja Gaiden game – it’s got to be a good, solid action game. It’s not just an amateur zombie game. In addition, we’ll bring our own take on the genre – people will find that it’s something really new, but also something that sits comfortably inside the Ninja Gaiden world.

PSB: During your Yaiba announcement you pledged that Team Ninja is striving to help Japanese developers catch up with the West. Do you think your fellow countrymen can reclaim their ‘90s glory days?
YH: Honestly I don’t think we can reclaim the glory days of the past. Team Ninja is still strong and has found ways to remain relevant and keep making games that play on the world stage. We can’t say for sure that Japan as a whole will be there with us, but we’ll be around for years to come.

PSB: You just released Dead or Alive 5. It’s been a busy few years for the fighting genre. Why do you think DOA is still relevant?
YH: We don’t want to be put in the same space as other fighting games. The concept for Dead or Alive 5 has been ‘fighting entertainment’. We’re looking at a wider audience – offering a more accessible, more appealing fighting experience. Don’t just put us in with the rest of the fighters. You get a sense of fun and a sense of spectacle from Dead or Alive 5 that you’re not going to get from some of the other games that are out of there. That sets us apart and is something we want to push. Hopefully it will push the audience towards supporting the game.

PSB: How are you going to support Dead or Alive 5 in the coming months?
YH: We’re definitely going to be supporting the title after launch. We have a lot of DLC lined up and the artists are still working hard creating costumes that we know the fans are going to love and want to get their hands on.

Putting the words "touchy-feely" and "Dead or Alive 5" together in the same sentence is generally something we try and avoid, but under the circumstances it seemed appropriate. Allow Team Ninja's final dev diary entry to thank you personally for supporting Dead or Alive, whether you did or not.

Dead or Alive 5 gets its first downloadable content today and it's free, with the First Time costume pack now available for nada on Xbox Live Marketplace and coming to PlayStation Network for zilch later today. The DLC sees new character Mila garb herself in Tina's red and black number from the first Dead or Alive, while Kokoro, Zack, Bayman, Helena, Christie, Gen Fu, Akira, Sara, Pai, and Tina herself receive an alternative costume too.

Dead or Alive 5 came out last week, and Ludwig gave it four out of five stars in his review. He described the game as an "energetic revitalization of the series, lecherous reputation and all." Whichever side of that these costumes fall under, you can't argue with free*.

*you probably can but we're not going to.