In 1995 fighting game fans received their first taste of the online realm with Killer Instinct for the Super Nintendo. Thanks to Catapult's Xband modem, Killer Instinct could be enjoyed online by thousands of people across the country. However, the connection was slow, people would pull the modem cord if they were about to lose, and the game suffered from quite a bit of lag. Now, with the help of Xbox Live, Tecmo will bring the original Dead or Alive (DoA), and Dead or Alive 2 to the Xbox console with compete online support. After the successful online arrival of Capcom vs. SNK 2, fighting game fans are eager to see what Team Ninja can do with Xbox Live.

For those unfamiliar with the Dead or Alive series, each game features a 3D fighting engine, as well as some of the best graphics to date on each console the series has graced. While the original Dead or Alive started things off with the now infamous "extreme bounce" featured in the title's leading ladies, DoA2 took the series to an entirely new level with tag team play, an enhanced juggle and combo system, and the integration of walls and structures as integral parts of the gameplay. Dead or Alive 3 took the series even further with a complete graphical overhaul for the Xbox, as well as stages that offered more interaction than the stages in DoA2. Dead or Alive Online is set to create yet another benchmark for the series with online play.

Dead or Alive Online will feature a Saturn perfect version of the original DoA, as well as an enhanced version of DoA2. Both games will allow gamers to play online via Xbox Live, but the enhanced version of DoA2 will likely garner the most interest, as it features graphics that will surpass the level reached with Dead or Alive 3. Team Ninja is even going so far as to say that this new version of DoA2 will make DoA3 only the second best looking fighter in the world.

In addition to the upgraded graphics, fans of the series will enjoy multiple new costumes for each character, as well as additional story elements. Many DoA fans were left in the dark after watching pre-fight cut-scenes and character endings in past DoA titles. Team Ninja will finally be shedding some light on a few of these mysteries. This will make DoA Online a completely new experience, even if you're playing offline.

As the first 3D fighting game to go online, it will be interesting to see how Tecmo handles the interface. The game will contain several online features and play modes in an effort to create the largest online community for fans of the genre. Since DoA2 featured tag team play with up to four players, hopefully this will make the transition into DoA Online, and allow four players to compete in tag team play from anywhere in the world.

Following the tradition of other popular Xbox Live titles, players will hopefully be able to look forward to some sort of online ranking system, as well as an officially sponsored tournament somewhere down the road. All of this is simply speculation for the time being, but gamers should expect no less from such an ambitious title. With a fall 2003 release date, more information on Dead or Alive Online should be surfacing in the very near future.