Common Sense Media Review
By Marc Saltzman
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Fast-fighting game with violence and sexual overtones.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 18+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Play
Videos and Photos
Dead or Alive 5
What's It About?
As with past games in this series and the cringe-worthy Dead or Alive feature film, DEAD OR ALIVE 5 features a number of sexy female and male fighters, along with some guest characters from Sega's Virtua Fighter series. There's frantic hand-to-hand combat (as well as weapons, magic, and deadly finishing moves) and interactive environments that also change during the match. Visually speaking, this game offers high-definition graphics, including realistic-looking and smoothly animated fighters (that even sweat while they fight), facial expressions, and clothing that flows according to physics. The game also has numerous solo and multiplayer modes, including Internet-enabled matches and tournaments.
Is It Any Good?
Dead or Alive 5 is a fun and fast fighting game -- just like its predecessors -- but with more realistic characters and environments than ever before. On that note, be aware that most female fighters dress suggestively, usually showing off ample cleavage or partially covered buttocks. Unfortunately, in Camera mode, players can snap pictures of these scantily clad females, including having the option to zoom in on underwear, cleavage, and so on.
Along with a few single-player modes and recommended head-to-head fighting that can be played in front of the same television, the game offers online matches, tournaments, and a global leaderboard to compare your performance with others. Although the online dojo could do a better job to help you practice your moves, Dead or Alive 5 is overall a very good pick for fighting-game fans -- although it has more than its share of overly sexy eye candy.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the role of women in this fighting game. Does it objectify women?
Families also can discuss the impact of media violence.
Game Details
- Platforms : PlayStation 3 , Xbox 360
- Subjects : Science : gravity , physics
- Skills : Thinking & Reasoning : applying information , strategy , Self-Direction : work to achieve goals
- Pricing structure :
- Available online? : Not available online
- Publisher : Tecmo
- Release date : October 2, 2012
- Genre : Fighting
- Topics : Animals ( Dinosaurs )
- ESRB rating :
- Last updated : October 1, 2025
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