By David Craddock
After numerous delays here in the States and in Japan, [i]Dead or Alive Ultimate[/i] has finally reached gold status. The game is currently set to be available for purchase on October 26, but this is only according to EB Games. Keep in mind, the publisher has not yet revealed a specific date of release.
[i]DOA Ultimate[/i] features a ported version of Sega Saturn’s original [i]Dead or Alive[/i], and an almost completely overhauled version of PS2’s [i]DOA 2 Hardcore[/i]. The most notable difference is that the graphics engine is taken straight from [i]DOA Beach Volleyball[/i], which many believe to be the only good that ever came of that game.
There are six different Xbox Live modes available for play: Winner Stays (remember the arcade days, where if you won you didn’t have to move? That’s what this is); Tournament; Team Battle; Survival; Loser-Stays (hmmm? interesting); and Kumite Battle. Perhaps the part most players are looking forward to the most is the inclusion of an online scoreboard that will track the stats to see how they rank against all other players worldwide.