It’s exciting to see the return of a beloved franchise. Especially if you’ve been away for a number of years. If done right, a good sequel can recapture everything you loved about past games in the series while also introducing new features that make sense. Dead or Alive has been pretty consistent, both in terms of roster updates and gameplay changes. If you’ve played any of the mainline fighting games, you can probably dive into Dead or Alive 6 without a problem. However, a multitude of new characters saw their debut in side games and other arcade updates since the Xbox 360 days. If you want to go in with some foreknowledge, we’ve gathered up 10 of the newest Dead or Alive fighters that also appear in 6.
Dead or Alive‘s main roster has only lost a few characters over the years. If your favorite does leave, they usually have a direct replacement in newer titles. Tengu saw himself jettisoned as the franchise’s secret character and was replaced with a more voluptuous female counterpart. Wang also graduated out of the franchise, with his pupil Eliot filling in his aged shoes. The only characters that haven’t been replaced are guest fighters, like DOA4‘s Halo Spartan and DOA5‘s visit from a Samurai Warriors mainstay.
As far as new fighters, each Dead or Alive entry sticks to just two additions. That’s outside of DLC, which could see a bevy of guest stars this time around. With wild additions like Neegan in Tekken and Geralt in Soul Calibur, who knows what Koei Tecmo has up their sleeves. Let’s just hope that Sega lets them once again bring in the cast of Virtua Fighter so they can see sunlight. Maybe Sega can even find the inspiration to make a new entry in the series. Whichever one comes first.
Still Alive | The Unfamiliar Faces of DOA6
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Still Alive | The Unfamiliar Faces of DOA6
Dead or Alive has had a pretty consistent roster. If you've been playing since the Xbox days, you know Kasumi, Zack, and Bayman pretty well. However, with all the various iterations of DOA5, there are quite a few new faces. Here is everyone you may not recognize from Dead or Alive 6's roster. -
Diego
A street fighter from New York, Diego makes his series debut in Dead or Alive 6. He fights to procure funds for his ill mother. He's the first Hispanic fighter on the roster, wearing graphic t-shirts and sporting a killer mohawk. -
Honoka
A young school girl introduced in Dead or Alive 5 Last Round, Honoka is the daughter of series antagonist Raidou. Due to this, she has special energy powers, although she's not great at using them. She also enjoys a cow motif in her clothing, most likely due to... well, use your imagination knowing what Dead or Alive is infamous for. -
La Mariposa
A luchador from Dead or Alive 4, miss Mariposa has been around for quite a bit. However, you might know her better as Lisa, Tina's friend from the volleyball courts. She switches identities every other game, sometimes several times in the same game. -
Mai
SNK's ninja warrior Mai Shiranui is one of the only recurring guest characters in fighting game history. After appearing as DLC in Dead or Alive 5 Last Round, she'll return again as DLC in 6. She also fits right into the series for several reasons, and we can only hope that her Virtua Fighter compatriots also join her. -
Marie Rose
Helena's servant Marie Rose first became a playable fighter in the Ultimate Arcade update of DOA5. She's good friends with Honoka, sharing a tag team name. She is a hold specialist, but her small size means her strikes a bit weaker than the other fighters. -
Mila
One of Dead or Alive 5's new fighters, Mila is a mixed martial arts champion from New York City. She's a big fan of Bass and the other DOA wrestlers, wanting to show her stuff against them. As fitting for her professions, her attacks are very ground and pound, overwhelming opponents. -
Nico
Stylized as NiCO, this blue-haired scientist is one of Dead or Alive 6's newcomers. She attacks foes with electrified gloves alongside her other moves. Outside the ring, she's determined and asocial, burying herself in her work for Victor Donovan's MIST corporation. -
Nyotengu
You might remember Tengu as an unlockable Japanese demon in the earlier Dead or Alive games. He's been fully replaced by Nyotengu, a female variant of the character unlockable via DLC. -
Phase 4
Phase 4 is Dead or Alive 6's requisite Kasumi clone. Instead of being made of blue Jello, she's just a mysterious hooded figure. She also plays similar to Kasumi, although with a few interesting moves and a teleportation power thrown in for good measure. -
Rig
Would you believe that a character named Rig works in construction? The sone of series villain Victor Donovan, Rig works on an oil platform and practices taekwondo. Expect lots of kicks and keeping the pressure on your opponent when you play as him.
