Dead or Alive Dimensions

Beat 'em up game with sophisticated fight system and highly detailed arenas. It has its flaws and lack certain depth, but as a appetizer before Tekken 3DS it works very well.

Dead or Alive: Dimensions has some great things going for it, but neglects everything else.

Dead or Alive : Dimensions is a strong fighting game on Nintendo 3DS. While not comparable with Capcom's Street Fighter in terms of graphics, 3D or gameplay, its huge content will undoubtedly delight fans of the franchise.

Dead or Alive Dimensions is a decent fighting game with a control scheme perfectly designed for the Nintendo 3DS. Nice pacing and fun gameplay make Tecmos latest a good choice for fans of the genre, although both offline and online content is quite limited.

As competent as DOA Dimensions is, I have a hard time recommending it to anyone outside of DOA superfans. The fighting works quite well, true -- but there's that other fighting game on 3DS that trumps this one in every way except for overly jubbly boob physics. This is a gorgeous game (discounting the adolescent titillation factor) with decent-to-good gameplay. Luckily for us all, that's not enough to drum up widespread excitement any more.

Despite all the problems, DOA Dimensions is fundamentally a good fighter, and a great DOA. The controls don't really require an arcade stick or six face buttons, and therefore translate nicely to the 3DS; the graphics look slick, especially the huge, interactive environments; the counter-heavy battles are as quick as ever. I can't ignore the egregious missteps made, but there's a lot to enjoy about the game despite those.

Dead or Alive Dimensions doesn't just play like an Greatest Hits edition of a great fighting game, it feels like one. While the first notion is an absolute plus, the second one isn't. there are no new characters, no new storyline and barely any new moves. Only the new online functionalities will draw the hardcore fanbase in.

As familiar as Dead or Alive can be, a solid fighter in its own right, and a genuine alternative to SSFIV 3D, especially if you're new to the fighting genre.

Quotation forthcoming.

The extra depth is arresting – combatants plunge from one part of a stage to the next, crashing through glass and tumbling down stairs. While its 3D arenas arguably make for a more fitting showcase of 3DS's capabilities than launch title Super Street Fighter IV 3D Edition, the two share a further thrill as you turn the 3D off and watch the framerate double.

A great version of an okay fighting game might not seem the best of recommendations, but this a surprisingly worthwhile alternative to Street Fighter.

Graphically - both in terms of character design and use of 3D - Street Fighter is the better game. It also proves itself far more competent online, which is a huge deal for fighting aficionados. DOA fans with an itch to satisfy should pick it up regardless, if only for the rather interesting tease at the end.