Dead or Alive 5 Ultimate

 PlayStation 3
Metascore
77

Generally favorable reviews - based on 25 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 18 out of 25
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 25
  3. Negative: 0 out of 25
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  1. Gaming Age
    Sep 23, 2013
    91
    Dead or Alive 5 Ultimate truly is, an Ultimate experience, a must buy!
  2. NZGamer
    Sep 30, 2013
    89
    Overall, Team Ninja has done a great job making Dead or Alive 5 Ultimate worth the double dip with additional modes including team play, and a ‘new’ training mode. The additional features make this the game Dead or Alive 5 should have been.
  3. GamingTrend
    Sep 12, 2013
    86
    The DOA series has always looked great, and the hidden depth is still there. Whether this is a must buy for you depends on if you already have the original game.
  5. Worth Playing
    Oct 17, 2013
    85
    Make no mistake: Dead or Alive 5 Ultimate is still a very strong fighting game. The offline game modes are excellent, and the mode and roster additions are very welcome, especially since they don't seem to upset the balance of the game.
  6. IGN Italia
    Oct 1, 2013
    85
    Dead or Alive 5 Ultimate doesn't add too much to the original game, which is now one year old. It's a good edition for a very good fighting game, but it comes maybe a little bit late to the party.
  7. Impulsegamer
    Sep 22, 2013
    85
    Once again, Dead or Alive ticks all the right boxes and givers gamers that love fighters a very enjoyable game!
  8. Game Over Online
    Sep 6, 2013
    85
    If you’ve ever loved the series before, make this a part of your collection ASAP, and if you’ve been turned off by it before, at least try the free-to-play game out to see if you like the gameplay mechanics.
  9. Digital Chumps
    Sep 9, 2013
    84
    Hardcore fans will get it for the new characters alone. But if you've ever been interested in DOA, and might be intimidated by its unique fighting mechanics, Ultimate offers a great platform to take the leap.
  10. Gamers' Temple
    Sep 9, 2013
    82
    Dead or Alive 5: Ultimate is a great fighter for new players and might be a worthy upgrade for those that already own the original DOA5.
  11. PlayStation Universe
    Oct 7, 2013
    80
    A high quality re-package that gives series newcomers the best bang for their buck while remaining lots of fun for competitive and casual gamers alike. Still, the Ultimate edition perks aren't substantial incentive for current Dead or Alive 5 owners.
  12. JeuxActu
    Oct 4, 2013
    80
    If you already have the previous one, you really don't need this Dead or Alive 5 Ultimate. There is not enough new features and content to justify the opening of your wallet. However, huge fans, wealthy players and new challengers would probably try the five new characters and levels, as well as the Power Blow.
  13. Gaming Nexus
    Sep 26, 2013
    80
    With five new characters, improved online play and extra modes, Dead or Alive 5 Ultimate is a great deal at $40. Fans who own 2012's model may not like buying a brand new game, but everybody else needs to pick it up on the strength of the single-player story mode.
  14. Game Revolution
    Sep 24, 2013
    80
    Anyone who already owns either Dead or Alive 5 or Dead or Alive 5 Plus already knows a lot of this stuff, so why am I repeating it? Because it's probably only worth buying if you don't already own it in one form or another, unless you absolutely must have the few additional characters or environments. However, if you don't already own Dead or Alive 5, this is certainly the best version of the game.
  15. Gameblog.fr
    Sep 10, 2013
    80
    More robust, more extensive, Dead or Alive 5 Ultimate is the most complete version of DOA5 and proves to be an excellent 3D fighting game for those who do not know DOA5 yet. However, it is difficult to recommend it to those who have purchased DOA5, unless they are incorrigible fans who feels like they have to own every episode.
  16. God is a Geek
    Sep 3, 2013
    80
    Dead or Alive 5 Ultimate is the ultimate version of Dead or Alive 5 (to date), but its additions serve more to please existing Team Ninja fanatics than to make the game more appealing to a general audience.
  17. Playstation Official Magazine Australia
    Oct 7, 2013
    75
    If you’re a fan of the franchise you’ll be getting this for new challengers Jacky Bryant, Rachel, Momiji, Leon and Ein. The Power Launcher move is about the only new mechanic addition. It looks hilarious, won’t rock worlds. [November 2013, p85]
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  18. EGM
    Sep 11, 2013
    75
    Dead or Alive 5 Ultimate is a more robust, refined version of Team Ninja’s work on Dead or Alive 5, providing a fighting-game package that’s a better starting point for players new to this iteration of the series. Current Dead or Alive 5 owners, however, will have to pony up the exact same amount of scratch to join in on the fun.
  19. NowGamer
    Sep 3, 2013
    75
    And if there’s one thing you can say about Dead Or Alive 5 Ultimate that you can’t say about another other fighting game, this is the only game where you can counter a punch, snap someone’s neck and boot them clean off a cliff in one swift move.
  20. Everyeye.it
    Sep 9, 2013
    73
    Sold for the budget price of 39.90€, Dead or Alive Ultimate 5 reveals a rather interesting purchase, though it's certainly not essential.
  21. Armchair Empire
    Oct 24, 2013
    70
    That's not to say it's a bad game, but those who own DOA5 may not get a whole lot more out of this title. At the same time, it's a great deal for those who didn't play DOA5 or are new to the series.
  22. COGconnected
    Sep 28, 2013
    70
    The extra content is neat, but given that most of it is only visual it’s difficult to justify the price point; however, beyond the layer of shiny aesthetics and ridiculous physics is a fun fighting game accessible to both casual and hardcore gamers. If you’re looking to get into the Dead Or Alive series, this would be a great place to start.
  23. Post Arcade (National Post)
    Sep 13, 2013
    70
    When a video game like Dead or Alive 5 throws around words like “sensual design” they’re really covering up for its appeal to the lowest common denominator of who they think are playing the games: Men who stare at boobs. Let’s be honest because the game’s producers certainly won’t be.
  24. PlayStation LifeStyle
    Sep 10, 2013
    70
    Dead or Alive 5 Ultimate takes a previously released title back to the gym, worked out some known kinks in its system, adds in some new flavors of game play, pushes the total roster to 29 fighters, takes the best parts from the PS Vita version, and repackages it in a way that should draw in new fans, all the while pleasing long time fans of the series.
  25. Cheat Code Central
    Sep 4, 2013
    64
    If you have already grown bored of the game, then Ultimate isn’t going to do much to reinvigorate your passion. If you haven’t, however, then Dead or Alive 5: Ultimate is a purchase that you pretty much have to make.
  26. Push Square
    Sep 6, 2013
    60
    Unquestionably the definitive version of Team Ninja’s flamboyant fighter, Dead or Alive 5 Ultimate repurposes the panache of its predecessor – and pops a glazed cherry on top. The gameplay mechanics are still a smidgen shallow, and there may not be enough meaningful content to woo those that have already had their fill with the original release – but franchise fans and curious newcomers will find a competent option here.

Awards & Rankings

51
#51 Best PS3 Game of 2013
84
#84 Most Discussed PS3 Game of 2013
84
#84 Most Shared PS3 Game of 2013

User Reviews

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User Score
8.1

Generally favorable reviews- based on 74 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 56 out of 74
  2. Mixed: 13 out of 74
  3. Negative: 5 out of 74
  1. Cmase
    Jan 30, 2015
    8
    So games like Street Fighter 4 and Tekken Tag are garnering all of the attention from hardcore gamers. People often overlook Dead or AliveSo games like Street Fighter 4 and Tekken Tag are garnering all of the attention from hardcore gamers. People often overlook Dead or Alive because of the fan service and its past of creating not so good fighting games. Dead or Alive 5 still has its fan service, but underneath all of that lies a deep, balanced and fun fighter. The game seemed to have addressed all of the issues from older series, the game is much less mashy and more about out thinking and outplaying your opponent. The game plays much like Virtua Fighters little brother. The key differences between DOA and VF are the universal hold system(where you can counter a limb if you predict WHICH one they're going to use, where in Virtua Fighter this is character specific) and the stun game(rather than pushing for plus frames to mix up your opponent further, you push for large stuns to mix up your opponent further). The characters are fairly balanced, any character can deal with any situation from universal options making this more of a game that you have to out think and out play rather than relying on tiers and counter picking. While the game does have a few small flaws(the comeback mechanic which is very situational, stages that are too long which take away from the pace of the game and long winded animations that make the game feel less interactive for a few seconds) this is a really solid buy. Check it out and give it an honest try before listening to your buddies who obsess with the mess that's Street Fighter 4 and claim that this isn't a good game. You'll be honestly surprised at how deep, fun, balanced and complex of a fighter this is!… Full Review »
  2. Dark_half-Elf
    Feb 1, 2014
    10
    Great fighting game - interesting battle system, characters each with their own fighting style, beautiful arena, the Internet is a great,Great fighting game - interesting battle system, characters each with their own fighting style, beautiful arena, the Internet is a great, bright zapominayuschmesya characters, excellent training mode, control setting and beatiful graphic.
    DoA5 Ultimate - best fighting game of PS3.    … Full Review »
  3. EalyLiu
    Feb 17, 2023
    10
    It's great. It's the best game I've ever seen. The picture is exquisite, the movement is smooth, and the design is exquisite.
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