Game Review and Overview:
Dead or Alive: Dimensions for the Nintendo 3DS brings the fast-paced, high-kicking action of the DOA series to handheld form with surprising finesse. Released in 2011, this portable fighter packs an impressive punch, blending the series’ trademark fluid combat, eye-popping visuals, and slightly over-the-top flair into one of the strongest early fighting games on the 3DS. Whether you’re a long-time fan or just looking to uppercut someone into a helicopter rotor, Dimensions delivers the goods.
The game serves as a sort of greatest hits compilation of the series up to that point, featuring characters, stages, and story beats from the first four DOA games. You’ll get to play as all the series’ iconic fighters – Kasumi, Ryu Hayabusa, Ayane, and many more – each with their own unique fighting style and special moves. The roster is impressively complete, with 25 characters available right out of the gate.
Combat in Dimensions is smooth, satisfying, and surprisingly deep for a handheld title. The hallmark DOA mechanics – counters, juggles, and lightning-fast combos – are all present and accounted for. Newcomers can ease in with the Touch Command system, which allows for easy access to moves via the touchscreen. Purists, however, can stick to the traditional button-mashing (or tactical-striking) approach and find plenty of nuance to master.
Visually, the game is a stunner for the 3DS. The characters are well-modeled and animate fluidly, and the stages are dynamic and filled with environmental hazards. Classic DOA level transitions are here too; nothing says “You lost the round” quite like getting launched down a cliff or into a burning building. The 3D effect adds depth without being too gimmicky, though many players might opt to turn it off in favor of smoother performance.
The story mode, known as Chronicle Mode, walks players through the main plot arcs of the earlier games. It’s… well, it’s DOA, so expect a mix of ninjas, clones, evil corporations, and amnesia, all delivered with the seriousness of a soap opera and the pacing of an action movie. It’s campy but fun, and it does a decent job of introducing new players to the lore while giving longtime fans a nostalgic recap.
Beyond that, Dimensions offers a solid range of modes. This includes Arcade, Survival, Free Play, and the collectible-filled Figurine Mode, where you can unlock and pose character models like your own little plastic dojo. StreetPass functionality and local multiplayer add even more reasons to come back, though online play was a bit shaky at launch and may not hold up well today.
If there’s a drawback, it’s that Dimensions plays it relatively safe. There’s little here that pushes the series forward in a bold way. It’s more of a refined celebration than a reinvention. Also, while the touchscreen controls are handy, they can make battles feel a little too easy for seasoned players.
In the end, Dead or Alive: Dimensions is a stylish, content-rich fighter that proves handheld games can hit just as hard as their console counterparts. It’s flashy, fluid, and fun to pick up whether you’re new to the series or a black-belt in digital smackdowns. Just be warned: the drama is almost as over-the-top as the combos.
DOA Dimensions Cheats:
Alternate Costumes cheats:
While selecting the following characters, hold the corresponding buttons. Then, press A to use the alternate costumes:
CHARACTER/COSTUME – BUTTONS
Kasumi Alpha (braid) – Press L X.
Kasumi Alpha (high ponytail) – Press R X.
Kasumi Alpha (low ponytail) – Press L R X.
Kasumi (braided hair) – Press L X.
Kasumi (high ponytail) – Press R X.
Kasumi (low ponytail) – Press L R X.
La Mariposa (no mask) – Press L X.
Lei Fang (side braids) – Press L X.
Lei Fang (short ponytail) – Press R X.
Random select (Shiden costume 1) – Press L X.
Random select (Shiden costume 2) – Press R X.
Random select (Shiden costume 3) – Press L R X.?
Unlock Geo-Thermal Plant stage:
Complete Arcade mode to unlock the Geo-Thermal Plant stage.