One of the Flag Ship titles for Xbox when it was launched was Dead Or Alive 3(DOA) from Team Ninja (a Japanese developer). A stark contrast in gaming from the western release of Halo (Bungie). Xbox's first proper fighting game that featured dazzling cutting edge graphics and equally exciting game play. DOA3 was an excellent showcase for the then new system's capabilities and still is an enjoyable romp of fighting mayhem. The DOA series had started life in the arcades with the title 3D Combative Sports DOA and then was ported to the Sega Saturn first, followed by versions on PSone ,Dreamcast and more recently the PS2. A number of different versions of DOA2 appearing worldwide.

Tecmo has somewhat taken a step backward and has decided to embark on a specialized DOA game, namely DOA online. Not to be confused with the incoming all new sequel to DOA3, DOA Chronus.

DOA online is a remix of the games that paved the way for the series. Allowing new gamers and fans of the series to partake of the extra challenge of online play via Xbox Live. DOA Online will feature a standard port of the Saturn version DOA1 which subsequently was never released outside of Japan. DOA Online will also feature a re-worked DOA 2 with vastly improved visuals, interactive arenas and extra costumes. There will also be brand new scenes depicting the relationships between the characters in the game that will fill in the blanks from those seen in DOA 3 and DOA Extreme Volley Ball. Team Ninja have also stated that the look of the DOA2 version may even surpass that of DOA3.

The prospect of owning DOA Online is a great one, what with the Live aspect and the two games being shipped as one complete package exclusive to Xbox. The new features sound awesome enough to warrant a purchase, even if you already own DOA 2 on other formats. Lets just hope that as Xbox's first forray into the 3D online fighting genre, that laggy games don’t ruin the overall online experience. DOA online is Penciled for release on the 15th of Jan 2004 in the US.