Dead or Alive 5 Ultimate Announced. Core Game Is Free-To-Play

Team Ninja has announced that Dead or Alive Ultimate is being developed for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. The game will be published by Tecmo Koei on September 3rd 2013 as both retail packaged goods and digital download, including a “Core Fighters” edition download that’s free-to-play.

Dead or Alive 5 Ultimate heightens the signature DOA fighting style with the inclusion of all of the new modes from Dead or Alive 5 Plus, new stages and new fighters, including the first ever DOA appearance of Momiji and levels from the Ninja Gaiden series.

Dead or Alive 5 Ultimate is the definitive Dead or Alive 5 package, with new content aimed to bring players the best 3D fighting experience to date. The addition of modes from Dead or Alive 5 Plus, including “Skill Info Plus”, a “Tutorial Mode”, and the brand new “Combo Challenge Mode”, will allow novice and expert fighters to refine their fighting style with razor-fine precision.

Additional new features include: existing characters getting new game-changing combos, and you can now choose your favorite background music to set the tone for each fight. Momiji has her own music added, too!

Watch the Dead or Alive 5 Ultimate debut trailer here:

The Dead or Alive 5 Ultimate – “Core Fighters” version includes: Ability to fight with 4 popular characters, blockbuster stages, exciting online modes, and tons of costumes. The 4 free characters look to be Ryu Hayabusa, Ayane, Kasumi, and Hayate.
* Note: That this free-to-play download version has only been confirmed for PlayStation Network so far.

The full version of Dead or Alive 5 Ultimate description: Players will take on the roles of their favorite Dead or Alive 5 fighters—as well as combatants new to the franchise—in an intense, action-packed brawler set in visually striking locations from around the world. The game’s dynamic interactive stages include the return of classic fan favorites as well as new locations from the Ninja Gaiden series such as Sky City Tokyo, and features deadly new danger zones, including the Great Buddha Statue, that change with the flow of the fight.

Characters in Dead or Alive 5 Ultimate continue to push a sensual yet realistic style, rendered in incredibly lifelike detail bringing every fighter to life in the heat of combat. The dream lineup is joined by the first ever appearance of Ninja Gaiden’s Momiji who utilizes the Hayabusa-style Aiki-jujitsu taught to her by the master himself, Ryu Hayabusa. Additional new characters are Ein from Dead or Alive: Dimensions, and Jacky Bryant from Virtua Fighter.
These add to the already massive cast of fighters from Dead or Alive 5 which includes Ryu Hayabusa, Hayate, Ayane, Kasumi, Hitomi, Bayman, Christie, Lei Fang, Zack, Kokoro, Bass, Rig, Jann Lee, Helena, Lisa, Brad Wong, Eliot, Tina, along with Akira, Pai and Sarah Bryant from the Virtua Fighter series.

Here’s the Momiji introduction video:

Here is Jacky & Ein’s introduction video:

Along with a plethora of single-player modes including story mode, Dead or Alive 5 Ultimate will retain Online battles allowing players to compete head-to-head in a variety of playing fields and battle modes with another opportunity for fighters to improve their skills as they watch competitive matches.

“Dead or Alive 5 Ultimate is a great addition to our franchise,” said Yosuke Hayashi, Team Ninja leader. “The game has a lot to offer and we’re excited that our fans will have the opportunity to enjoy an experience that delivers on our signature high energy fighting entertainment.”

Are you excited for Dead or Alive 5 Ultimate?