Xbox Review
Dead or Alive 3

A visual stunner, the ultimate show off title for your XBOX, the bodacious babes have never looked better...

It's been awhile since this baby was released, but to this day, it's still the best looking video game to grace a home console. One might argue that Halo, and even Resident Evil on the Gamecube boasts better visuals, but as a fighting game, it's really not a fair comparison.

Features:

Large, lush and interactive Environments, indoor dojos, snow packed mountains, beaches, cage matches, an underwater palace and more.
16 Classic Fighters including 3 newbies, Brad Wong, Christine and Hitomi.
Revolutionary graphics. (It's true, it's the best looking video game you'll ever come across)
Story Mode
Sparring Mode
Time Attack
VS Mode 1-4 players TAG battles.
Tag Mode (2on2)

Babes fighting in bikini's, certainly one of the most rewarding features in a nutshell.

Gameplay: This game is definitely a button masher and button mashers will get away with it because the moves are simply killer and easy to pull out. Be that as it may, if you want to learn every move, there is certainly more depth to be had. But the simplicity of DOA 3 is what makes it so fun, virtually everyone can learn the basics and in time, learn some of the more difficult special moves. The original XBOX controller will cause fits with this game, so if you haven't already, you might want to pick up the new "Mini" S Controller which feels more at home with DOA 3. The buttons are closer together and it's easier to pull out the special moves that require a lot of combination button mashing .

DOA 3 supports both the analog and directional pad and the added touch of the vibration is a nice addition. DOA3 basically plays like DOA2 with new moves and better animations, so don't expect anything drastically new in 3. The counter moves are still the most enticing aspect of this game. You press the "counter" (block/free) button at the right time as your opponent makes an attack, you'll make the counter move. It's basically a luck/timing game, but it works perfect, and DOA is the best at making it happen.

Of course as with any fighter, it's always better if you have someone to play with, and DOA3 is no exception. But lets not frown upon the 1-player modes too much, there is really quite a bit to do and master. You get a tasty survival, ,tag-team, story, VS, sparring and a practice mode to play at your pleasure. You can earn new costumes, new videos for the characters, (wait till you see Helena's bikini video) and you can earn some new environments to fight in. The Story mode is very easy to beat, and good players will finish a single story mode for each of the characters within 15 minutes. I admit, a little more depth to the story mode would have been nice.

Graphics: To this day, this game is still the "show-off" title for the system. DOA3 definitely puts into perspective the power that Bill's machine is capable of. I'd say, Of course the babes with their cleavage hangin' out are looking better than ever in their skimpy little outfits, but the environments are what will grab you in this visual fest and is almost a virtual reality. You’ll experience thriving sky schemes, sun setting on ocean shores and an incredible use of colors and sweet textures. The wooded forest is my favorite stage, colorful leaves will whisk through the air with the utmost of realism. Added visuals such as fighters getting plummeted into puddles of water with amazing ripple effects. When you get cornered behind a tree your opponent will smash your head against the trunk with no mercy. Other nice effects including watching your opponent get electrocuted after getting thrown into live electrical wires during the cage match stage. The animations are flawless and plays at a relentless frantic pace with the environments whisking by in smooth fluent fashion that only the XBOX is capable of. Is it still the best looking fighter out there? Hands down, the answer is a resounding yes.

Sound: I have to admit, I really miss the catchy tubthumphing music from DOA 2 as the music in Dead Or Alive 3 is a bit of a let down. It simply doesn't grab you and even the music from Aerosmith on the opening credits is not any of his known or good stuff. Tecmo also did away with the English speaking characters from DOA 2 Hardcore on the PS2. The Japanese voice-overs are a bit on the annoying side. What country do we live in people? I get a bit weirded out when I see 350lb Bass the wrestler talking in his foreign tongue. This guy should be talkin' like a ham-hockin' biscuit eatin' southerner from Alabama. Only the subtitles allow you to see what they are exactly saying.

I'm a bit puzzled why Tecmo didn't translate any English voices for some of the fighters. I have nothing against the Japanese language, but some good 'ol Americanized trash-talk would have been nice.

However, DOA 3 gets brownie points as it's the only Dead Or Alive game that supports Dolby Digital 5.1 and it truly makes a difference in the audio department. Audio The grunts and groans of girls and guys getting pounded to the ground has really never sounded better.

Final Call: It's sad to say, the appeal of this game is probably due to the bodacious babes, but although hot chicks fighting in a video game is nice, you also must appreciate the gameplay too, as DOA3 is one magificent fighting game. On top of that, it's best looking one too. Until DOA4, this is the only fighting game you'll need.

The Good And The Bad:
+ Best looking fighter around.
+ The bouncing babes.
+ Sound, grunts, groans, kicks to the groin, definitely smacks hard with a good sound system.
+ The environments do interact with the action as you can cause more damage.
+ Watching Helena's video in her bikini is almost worth the price of admission. She got a phone #?

- Although the sound is good with the Dolby Digital 5.1 output, the music is not very good and needs more spunk. The music is uninspired and this is not Aerosmith's known stuff.
- Story mode is pretty short, and there is only one boss man.

By: John