Overview
Dead or Alive is a 3D fighting game developed and released by Tecmo for arcades (running Sega Model 2 hardware) on November 26, 1996. In Europe, the game was released by Acclaim.
Powered by the same hardware as Sega's Virtua Fighter 2 and Fighting Vipers, Dead or Alive is Tecmo's first attempt at a 3D fighting game and is notable as the company's last-ditch effort to save itself from bankruptcy in the mid-'90s. The studio behind the game would later become the Tecmo subsidiary Team Ninja and would use this name in the game's numerous sequels and spin-offs.
The game is notable for its introduction of the "Triangle System", a series staple mechanic where standard attacks (Strikes) are countered by dedicated counter-attack grapples (Holds), which are itself countered by standard grapples (Throws), which are itself countered by standard attacks. In addition, the game is known for its tie-in with the Ninja Gaiden series (with the series protagonist as a playable fighter), its use of physics for breast movement, and its "danger zones" (where the outer edge of the arena is full of explosives, dealing high amounts of damage to anyone who lands on it and launching them helplessly in the air for additional combo potential).
Ports & Updates
The game was first ported to the Sega Saturn (as a Japanese exclusive) on October 9, 1997, adding new bonus game modes, gameplay options, and character costumes, along with the ability to unlock the final boss as a playable character. This version was later ported to the Xbox (as Dead or Alive 1 Ultimate), bundled with an enhanced port of Dead or Alive 2 in October 26, 2004 as Dead or Alive Ultimate. The Ultimate port featured online multiplayer functionality via Xbox Live.
The game also received an enhanced port for the Sony PlayStation in Japan (on March 12, 1998), North America (on March 31, 1998), and Europe (by SCEE on July 1, 1998). This version added two new playable characters (wrestler Bass and ninja Ayane), bonus game modes, additional costumes, and updated arenas (which are now endless, similar to the Tekken series, with "danger zones" intact). This version was ported back to arcade hardware in Japan on October 16, 1998 (as Dead or Alive++, running on PS1-based Sony ZN-1 hardware) and was digitally re-released via the PlayStation Network (as a PSone Classic) exclusively in Japan on December 10, 2008.
Characters
By completing the game each time using a character, the player can unlock additional costumes. Some costumes can only be unlocked on certain difficulties, however. Unsurprisingly, the amount of costumes that can be unlocked for the female characters greatly outnumber that of the male characters (Kasumi has 14 costumes, while Zack has just 5), presumably adhering to Itagaki's tastes. The game even has a 'Breast Bounce' feature in the options menu that can be disabled.
| Character | Information |
|---|
 Kasumi | Nationality: Japan
Age: Unknown
Style: Ninjitsu
Occupation: Ninja
Kasumi's brother, Hayate, was next in line to succeed as the 18th master of the Mugen Tenkin Acedemy... Until one fateful day when an assassin attacked and crippled him. Her father Shiden was left bitter and refuses to mention the details sorrounding the attack. Kasumi wants revenge, and she's determined to succeed as the 18th master of the school.
 Kasumi's Costumes Costumes:
- Shinobi Dress (Blue/White)
- Shinobi Dress (Orange/White)
- Ninja Outfit (Red/White)
- Ninja Outfit (Black)
- Seifuku (Blue/White)
- Seifuku (Red/White)
- Seifuku (Black)
- Bunny Costume
- Baseball Outfit (White denim overalls)
- Baseball Outfit (Blue denim overalls)
- Gym Outfit (Red/White)
- Gym Outfit (Blue/White)
- School Swimsuit
- Angel Outfit
|
| Zack | Nationality: USA
Age: 25
Style: Thai-Style Boxing
Occupation: DJ
Zack's Costumes Costumes:
- Casual Outfit (Red Tanktop)
- Casual Outfit (Green Tanktop)
- Casual Outfit (White Tanktop, Baret)
- Skintight Alien Outfit (White)
- Skintight Alien Outfit (Yellow)
|
| Ryu Hayabusa | Nationality: Japan
Age: 23
Style: Ninjitsu
Occupation: Curio Shop
Ryu bears a name "Hayabusa" an honor bestowed upon only the most distinguised of Ninja's coming from the Hayabusa School. His life has been a continuous fight until he met his love, Aileen, and found satisfaction in peace. But his thirst for challenge returned when he learned that his best friend's sister, Kasumi, had dissapeared.
Ryu Hayabusa's Costumes Costumes:
- Ninja Outfit (Black)
- Ninja Outfit (Red)
- Ninja Outfit (White)
- Ninja Outfit (No mask, Blue/White)
- Ninja Outfit (No mask, Red/White)
|
| Bayman | Nationality: Russia
Age: 31
Style: Commando Sambo
Occupation: Hit Man
As a child, Bayman witnessed the assassination of his parents, carried out under martial order. He was later trained by the Russian military in commando-style fighting, and served as a special agent for years. Until the day he made one fatal mistake involving the Kremlin's favorite daughter. He was banished from the Special Forces forever, and exiled to Brighton Beach, New York.
Bayman's Costumes Costumes:
- Commando Outfit (Red/Black)
- Commando Outfit (Green/Black)
- Commando Outfit (Black, Blue Baret)
- Underwater Infiltration Outfit (Black)
- Underwater Infiltration Outfit (Yellow)
|
| Lei-Fang | Nationality: China
Age: 19
Style: Taikyoku-Ken
Occupation: College Student
Lei Fang is an impulsive, yet determined prodigy of Tai Kyoku Ken. Her confidence has been shaken just once, several years ago. Lei was challeneged by a gang of street fighters. She was prepared to take them on single-handely, but a boyh named Gi, weaing a dragon emblem, suddnly jumped to her rescue. Frustrated at being assumed helpless, Lei is determined to find and defeat Gi to prove herself.
Lei-Fang's Costumes Costumes:
- Martial Arts Outfit (Green/White)
- Martial Arts Outfit (White/Orange)
- Leather Jumpsuit (Black)
- Leather Jumpsuit (Red/Black)
- French Maid Outfit (Blue)
- French Maid Outfit (Red)
- Martial Arts Outfit (Blue)
- Torn Jeans and Tank top
- Cutout One-Piece Swimsuit (Blue)
- Cheongsam (Red)
- Cheongsam (Blue)
- Nurse Outfit (Pink)
- Nurse Outfit (White)
- Succubus Outfit
|
| Gen-Fu | Nationality: China
Age: 65
Style: Shini-Rokugo-Ken
Occupation: Bookstore Owner
Gen Fu left his native China in 1976. He barely made his escape before his cohorts were caught and imprisoned under the nisnomer "Gang of Four". No-one knows the real reason Gen Fu recently came out of retirement. No one would guess about the dream that haunts Gen Fu nightly, the tragedy surrounding his granddaughter Mei Linn. Only his closest enemies suspect that something profound must have caused the old man to come out of retirement.
Gen-Fu's Costumes Costumes:
- Changshan (Blue)
- Changshan (White)
- Changshan (Green)
- Hawaiian Shirt (Orange)
- Hawaiian Shirt (Green)
|
| Raidou | Nationality: Japan
Age: Unknown
Style: Unknown
Occupation: Unknown
The final boss of the game. He is unlocked by completing the game on Normal difficulty or harder using every character in the game (excluding Ayane). He has no unlockable outfits.
Raidou's Costumes Costumes:
- Distressed garb (White)
- Distressed garb (Orange)
- Distressed gard (Black)
|
| Tina Armstrong | Nationality: USA
Age: 22
Style: Pro-Wrestling
Occupation: Pro-Wrestler
The daughter of Bass, Tina has been a pro wrestler since high school, and has worked her way up to become one of Dead or Alive's most feared lethal competitors. Bass thinks Tina is in it for the glory of winning the tournament, but her real aim is to be discovered in Hollywood
Tina's Costumes Costumes:
- Wrestling Outfit (Red/Black)
- Wrestling Outfit (Blue)
- Wrestling Outfit (Light Blue)
- Cowgirl Outfit (Pink shirt, red pants)
- Cowgirl Outfit (White shirt, brown pants)
- Catgirl Outfit (Black)
- Catgirl Outfit (Red)
- Amazonian Outfit (White)
- Amazonian Outfit (Leopard)
- Policewoman Outfit (Blue)
- Policewoman Outfit (Black)
- Stars and Stripes Swimsuit
- Bunny Suit (Black)
- Bunny Suit (Red)
|
| Bass Armstrong | Nationality: USA
Age: 46
Style: Pro-Wrestling
Occupation: Pro Wrestler
Bass' Costumes Costumes:
- Wrestling Outfit (Black/Red)
- Wrestling Outfit (Red/Blue)
- Wrestling Outfit (Green/Black)
- Wrestling Outfit (Black)
- Wrestling Outfit (Blue/Teal)
|
| Jann-Lee | Jann-Lee
Nationality: China
Age: 20
Style: Jeet June Do
Occupation: Bodyguard
Jann Lee's parents escaped from China's Maoist regime when the boy was a child, then left him an orphan, alone to fend for himself. He threw himself into the study of Ji Kun Do soon after. At first he fought to replace what he had lost when his parents died, but eventually Jann fought just for the sake of fighting.
Jann-Lee's Costumes Costumes:
- Martial Arts Outfit (Red)
- Martial Arts Outfit (Blue, no shirt)
- Casual Outfit (Black sweatshirt, beige cargo pants)
- Suit (White shirt, vest)
- Suit (White suit, black shirt)
|
| Ayane | Nationality: Japan
Age: Unknown
Style: Ninjitsu
Occupation: Ninja
A secret character. She can only be used after unlocking all of the other characters' costumes.
Ayane's Costumes Costumes:
- Butterfly Dress (Navy)
- Butterfly Dress (White)
- Butterfly Dress (Pink)
- School Uniform (Red blazer, yellow ribbon)
- School Uniform (Blue, red ribbon)
- School Uniform (Pink, black ribbon)
- Transparent Ninja Outfit (Purple)
- Transparent Ninja Outfit (Pink)
- Transparent Ninja Outfit (Black)
- Bikini (Blue)
- Bikini (Green)
- Bikini (Black)
- VR Training Outfit (Black)
- VR Training Outfit (White)
|
Soundtrack
Dead or Alive
Dead or AliveReleased: November 21st, 1996
Total length: 38:20
- Dead or Alive Overture
- Chopper's Final Moment (Appeal Part BGM)
- Show (Character Select BGM)
- No Money (Zack Stage BGM)
- Stage Clear
- The First of Taikyoku Blows Up (Lei-Fang Stage BMG)
- Blade of "RYU" (Ryu Hayabusa Stage BMG)
- Lone Fighter (Jann-Lee Stage BMG)
- Power is Beauty (Tina Stage BMG)
- Codename "Bayman" (Bayman Stage BMG)
- The Secret Fist of Legend (Gen-Fu Stage BGM)
- Time of Determination (Kasumi Stage BGM)
- Dead or Alive (Raidou Stage BGM)
- In Between Life and Death (Continue BGM)
- Show Must Go On! (Staff Roll BGM)
- Your Name Is... (Name Entry BGM)
- Zack
- Lei Fang
- Ryu Hayabusa
- Jann-Lee
- Tina
- Bayman
- Gen-Fu
- Kasumi
- Raidou
- System Voice
- S.E. Collection
Dead or Alive for PlayStation
Dead or Alive for PlayStationReleased: May 20th, 1998
Total length: 58:25
- The New Century (Opening Movie)
- Showdown (Character Select)
- Gonna Make You Gasp (Zack)
- Stage Clear (Stage Clear)
- Blade of "RYU" ~Mr. Tom Mix~ (Hayabusa)
- Concentration (Lei Fang)
- Heated Heartbeat (Jann Lee)
- Fastbreak (Gen Fu)
- Power is Beauty ~more beautiful mix~ (Tina)
- Megadeath (Bayman)
- Superstar (Bass)
- Ketsui no toki ~pie-02 mix~ (Kasumi)
- AYA (Ayane)
- Dead or Alive (Raidou)
- Physical System (Training Mode)
- Result (Result Screen)
- Your Name is...(Name Entry)
- SAYONARA (Ending Movie)
- Zack
- Hayabusa
- Lei Fang
- Jann Lee
- Gen Fu
- Tina
- Bayman
- Bass
- Kasumi
- Ayane
- Raidou
- System Voice 1
- System Voice 2
- System Voice 3
- S.E. COLLECTION
- Galaxy Type-XXX
- Dead or Alive Overture ~Renewal Mix~
- The New Century ~Master Version~
- SAYONARA ~Master Version~
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