With DOA 4 being such a let down, XBOX and XBOX360 owners can find peace in Ultimate,The Best Fighting Game of all time.
Out of the box you have not only Dead or alive 2 (the best Game in the series) but you also get the original "REAL" Japanese version of DOA 1. The Port of the Arcade classic is enough to merrit this peice in any DOA (Or Fighting gmae genre) fan's collection, but it gets better.
Now you don't get DOA2, no. Nor do you get DOA2 Hardcore, no. You get Dead or Alive 2: Ultimate, and that is presisly what it is, Superior to the original in every way.
Now If you never played the DOA series, it is a revolutionary fighter, and I say this because of it's intricate counter system.
You don't block in DOA. You defend yourself.
All punches and kicks can be redirected and set up into deadly counters. Some characters, like Lei Fang, can unbalance their foe and set them up for devestating combos. Other, Like Bayman, Turn their own foe's force against them and counter punches and kicks into painful grappels.
But offence is just as Important as defence.
Characters like Jan Lee can use knock back attacks that create distance between you and your oponent. Characters like Gen Fu use their strikes to juggle and spin their foes around.
This game offers something that alot of fighters nowadays dont imphasize, Strategy. Walls can explode and certain envroments are distructible allowing for futher interaction with your character and the stage.
The Music is well written and feels natural for a fighiting game.
Every Character has a Story and many of these stories are tied to two or more Characters.
But if there is one thing this game does right (other than fighting) It is Graphics. THEY ARE BETTER THAN DOA 4'S!!!!!!! Clothing has texture and the stages are so beautiful that you may want to stop fighting (or lose a round) just so you can see the stage.
There are, however, drawbacks. The Game retain's it "Japanese" feel and is often hard for American players to understand at times. (You'll know when you realize that everyone's sizes are listed on their bios, sheesh!) Also, wemen may think that this is simply a guys game to see girls jiggle (This mostly comes from the creators stand point on Girls in Games "When you play a game, naturally you want to play as good looking women") This may also be because of the "Extreme" counterparts to the DOA series, but let me assure you ladies that there is somebody in this game for YOU! Don't just overlook it because of it's cover, give it a try.
I leave you saying that for now this is the Best Dead or Alive and the Best fighting game of all time. period.