Dead or Alive
😊 7.8/10
(Playstation - JP, Fighting)
.png)
.png)
Complete
$21.99
Loose $13.22
Manage Collection
Developed_By:
Tecmo
Published_By:
Tecmo
Released On:
12 Mar 1998
Also available on:
The first in the Dead or Alive series, it features many of the same features that have made the DoA series so popular today; somewhat realistic combat, good character design, and scantily clad women whose breasts bounce a lot.
Dead or Alive doesn't mess too much with a background story- it's a 3D one on one fighter that takes place within an arena of limited space. Each character has their own unique way of fighting, their own abilities, and even their own hobbies and likes. (For example, Ryu Hayabusa- yes, he of Ninja Gaiden fame- likes sushi, mountain climbing, and fishing.)
The gameplay is fast-paced and intense, with a variety of attacks and combos to master. The game's sound design and visuals are also noteworthy, creating an immersive experience for players.
eBay Product ID:
212038493 (Japan)
EAN-13:
4960677400090 (Japan)
ASIN:
B000069SWJ (Japan)
Sony PN:
SLPS-01289 (Japan)
YouTube
Reddit
Twitch
Wikipedia
DB
IGDB
RG
RAWG
M
Metacritic
HowLong
GF
GameFAQs
Multiplayer Options:
Same/Split-Screen
Number of Offline Players:
1-2 Players
Number of Players Supported:
1-2 Players
Input Device Features Supported:
Vibration
Multiplayer Game Modes:
Free-for-all / One-on-one (VS)
Prices as of 17 Sep 2026
Typical $21.99–$21.99 (last 90 days)
New
Complete
Loose
Box
Manual
Smoothed
Log · Auto
Medians
Volume
More JP Playstation Fighting
3D Kakutou Tsukuru
$12.95 (Complete)
Jul 1998
Advanced V.G
$92.71 (Complete)
Apr 1996
Advanced V.G. 2
$104.00 (Complete)
Sep 1998
Armed Fighter
$50.30 (Complete)
Aug 1998
Asuka 120 Burning Fest Excellent
$26.96 (Complete)
May 1997
Asuka 120 Burning Fest Final
$61.36 (Complete)
May 1999
Asuka 120 Burning Fest Special
$29.25 (Complete)
Mar 1996
Battle Arena Nitoshinden
$9.30 (Complete)
Sep 1996
🙂 6.8/10
Battle Arena Toshinden
$12.38 (Complete)
Jan 1995
🙂 6.8/10
Battle Arena Toshinden 2
$7.67 (Complete)
Dec 1995
Manual
Game Guide
Extracted from the original game manual
How to Play
GETTING STARTED
Set up your PlayStation game console according to its Instruction Manual. Make sure the PlayStation game console's power is off before inserting or removing a compact disc.
Insert the DEAD or ALIVE™ disc and close the disc cover. Insert a game controller and turn the PlayStation game console ON. The opening story will start, and then the Title/Game Start Menu will appear. Press the Start Button to begin play.
Follow the on-screen instructions to start a game.
HOW-TO-USE-THE-CONTROLLER
CAMERA OPERATION
You can change the camera angle during your character's.
•
To Control the Camera Directional Buttons:
•
City Cam
•
Dolly around from the left (clockwise)
•
Dolly around from the right (counter-clockwise)
CHARACTER MOVES
(All instructions are based on the assumption that the player character is facing to the right)
(See character notes for specific character moves.)
DIRECTIONAL BUTTONS
•
In Sit DOWN
•
When your character is down, use the directional buttons pressing several times along with a directional key.
•
Enable your character to attack as he/she stands back up.
ATTACK
When the enemy is down, you can still give him/her an additional attack. P and K functions depend upon which enemy you're fighting. Some characters also have a special KO attack technique.
•
When the character falls toward the background:
•
To perform a fine kick as the character gets up:
•
Press and K several times as the character is getting up.
•
When the character falls toward the foreground: (Z-axis forward)
•
Standing Forward
CONTROLLER
•
L2 = P+K
•
L1 = H+P
•
R2 = H+K
•
R1 = H+P+K
•
H (Hold)
•
P (Punch)
•
K (Kick)/select or execute
•
P (punch)/Cancel
Note
You can reset your game at any time by pressing and holding L1+L2+R1+R2+++START then hitting SELECT.
Directional Buttons
•
To move a character. Able to make them jump, sit (squat), or guard.
•
To move a cursor. To make a change on the list
Select
•
Not used.
START
•
To PAUSE during game play
•
To START the game
ATTENTION
•
Lunge forward: R1-R2
•
Run: press and hold
•
Guard: Press and hold
•
squat always say so pre-programmed
•
Press several times as the character is getting
•
names indicate that the user should press the button for a short length of time. Arrows indicate that the user should press and hold the button.
•
To reduce the down time: Press (repeated) several times.
BASIC-BUTTON-FUNCTION
•
+: Throw
•
Each character has their own special 'throw'. When you are thrown by your opponent, press the UP command to avoid falling.
•
A: Escaping Combination Throw
•
After using either 'Throw' or 'Offensive Hold', some characters will immediately attack with a 'Throw'
•
When you are about to be thrown into the DANGER ZONE, press+4+0 to defend yourself and rebound.
•
button: Defensive hold toward high and mid attacks.
•
Low button: Defensive hold toward low attacks.
•
With this command you can reverse your opponent's attack and put him or her on the defensive.
GAME-MODES
There are a number of different game modes. An additional controller is required for 2 player modes.
TOURNAMENT MODE (1-2 players)
In this mode you play against the computer (COM). There is no limit to the number of matches you can play. Another player can also join in the battle. Once the battle is over, the winner will remains to fight the next COM opponent.
TIME ATTACK MODE (1 player)
In this mode you must battle against both the COM and the clock. (All preset options return to default settings in this mode.)
DANGER ZONE MODE
The entire ring becomes DANGER ZONE. (See pg. 11)
In Character Select mode, press button to enter this mode. There is no limit to the number of matches you can play.
V.S. MODE (2 players)
In this 2 players mode there is no limit to the number of matches you can play.
SURVIVAL MODE (1 player)
A fight to the death of your energy). You continue fighting until your energy (on the energy gauge) is depleted. Your opponent is the COM. The level of the battle and number of sets are set in default. Winning battles restore some of your energy.
KUMITE MODE (1 player)
It's you against 100 COM opponents. The object of this mode is to win high points in the winning rate and to gain a fast Clear Time. When you move onto the next battle your energy is restored.
TEAM BATTLE MODE (1-2 players)
Team up 5 of your favorite fighters against 5 of your friends' favorite fighters in this mode. Fighters are eliminated in one on one battles until the last fighter left standing.
TRAINING MODE
Just as it sounds, in this mode you train and develop your fighting skills. Lucky you, your COM opponent will not attack back, so hone up and be fearless. TRAINING MODE has no time limitation, nor any KO. A menu window will pop up when you press the
Tips & Maps
Hold System
Dead or Alive adds a 'Hold' attack category to the usual Punch and Throw, with Punch beating Throw, Throw beating Hold, and Hold beating Punch.
Offensive Hold (OH)
An aggressive attack used by pressing the main command key, with specific commands varying by skill.
Defensive Hold (DH)
Used to counter an opponent's aggressive attacks by holding their arm or leg and turning their attack against them, defending against high/mid attacks with one button and low attacks with another.
Danger Zone System
The rim of the fighting ring where characters take massive damage and are bounced around if they fall in, making them vulnerable to quick strikes.
Avoiding Bouncing in Danger Zone
Pressing buttons simultaneously before the explosion in the Danger Zone allows you to enter Ukemi position, avoiding bouncing and explosion damage, though you still take damage from the Danger Zone itself.
Danger Zone Mode
A game mode where the entire ring becomes a Danger Zone, activated by pressing directional buttons during character selection or automatically in Sudden Death battles.
Enemies & Characters
KASUMI
Kasumi's brother, Hayate, was next in line to succeed as the 18th master of the Mugen Tenjin Academy...until one fateful day when an assassin attacked and crippled him. Kasumi wants revenge, and she's determined to succeed as 18th master of the school.
JANN LEE
Jann Lee's parents escaped from China's Maoist regime when the boy was a child, then left him as an orphan, alone to feed for himself. He threw himself into the study of Ji Kun Do soon after, fighting for the sake of fighting.
LEI FANG
Lei Fang is an impulsive, yet determined prodigy of Tai Kyoku Ken. Her confidence was shaken when a boy named Gi rescued her from street fighters, leaving her determined to find and defeat him.
BAYMAN
As a child, Bayman witnessed the assassination of his parents and was later trained by the Russian military in commando-style fighting. He now works as a professional assassin, posing as a participant in the DOA tournament to exterminate Fame Douglas.
TINA
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. Her real aim is to be discovered in Hollywood.
RYU HAYABUSA
Ryu bears the name "Hayabusa," an honor bestowed upon only the most distinguished of Ninjas from the Hayabusa School. His thirst for challenge returned when he learned that his best friend's sister, Kasumi, had disappeared.
ZACK
A DJ and participant in the DOA championship, Zack is confident in his fighting skills and believes the prize is his. He claims to have studied the ancient martial art Muay Thai.
GEN FU
A Chinese used bookstore owner and master of Shin-I Rokuga Ken, Gen Fu came out of retirement for unknown reasons, possibly related to a recurring dream or a tragedy involving his granddaughter. He appears feeble but is a lethal fighter.
Search Games
Popular Consoles
Trending Now
By Year
1978
1979
1980
1981
1982
1983
1984
1985
1986
1987
1988
1989
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
2025
2026
© 2026 RetroGold. All rights reserved.