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Dead or Alive 2 for PlayStation 2
Dead or Alive 2 for PlayStation 2 is a three-dimensional fighting game in which fast strikes, throws and reversal moves constantly threaten one another. Every fighter has distinct combinations and ranges, but defence requires more than blocking. A well-timed hold catches an attack and reverses the advantage. A wrong read instead leaves room for a throw or another string of hits.
Arenas often consist of several sections. A heavy blow can send an opponent through a window, over an edge or into a lower area, after which the fight continues without a loading pause. Story follows the individual characters around the second Dead or Alive tournament. Versus, Time Attack, Survival, Team Battle, Tag Battle and Sparring also let you practise techniques or improve scores.
Regular bouts are for one or two players on the same console. Tag Battle supports up to four local players in two teams; three or four participants require a PlayStation 2 Multitap and additional controllers. There is no online multiplayer. The European box is titled Dead or Alive 2 and contains the expanded PS2 version released in North America as Dead or Alive 2: Hardcore.
Region and language
Our PlayStation 2 games are PAL editions and come with a Dutch or English box, unless stated otherwise. By default, you receive the version for the European market. We note it in the product details if the region is different or the box is in another language. In almost all cases, the game is playable at least in English, and often in the other five common European languages too.
Tag Battle with three or four players requires a PlayStation 2 Multitap and three or four controllers. Regular bouts with one or two players do not require a Multitap.
Manual
Dead or Alive 2 for PlayStation 2 includes the manual unless the product title states otherwise. If the booklet is missing, the title says “No Manual”. This lets you see before ordering whether the game comes with a manual.
The manuals included with our games usually contain at least English and often around six European languages. The exact languages vary by edition, so Dutch is not always included. The booklet explains the controls and the main rules. You can use it to check how to control the game, which actions are available and how its different features work.
The history of Dead or Alive 2
Team Ninja developed Dead or Alive 2 under Tomonobu Itagaki. Tecmo released the arcade version in 1999, followed by Dreamcast and PlayStation 2 versions. The first Japanese PS2 release had to be ready for the console's launch in March 2000. Itagaki later said that this version was sent to manufacturing too early and against his wishes.
The team continued work on an expanded PS2 release with additional characters, arenas, costumes and a Gallery. This version appeared in North America as Dead or Alive 2: Hardcore and in Europe simply as Dead or Alive 2. The European release followed in December 2000. Larger arenas made height differences a visible part of combat, while Tag Battle could bring four players together on one console.
Dead or Alive 3 then moved the series to the original Xbox and expanded the fighting system and environments again. Dead or Alive 2 Ultimate brought another, further revised version to Xbox in 2004 with online features. Those later additions are not part of this PS2 disc. The European PlayStation 2 game remains the expanded 2000 release, with local battles and no network play.
Similar games for PlayStation 2
Tekken Tag Tournament also appeared early on PlayStation 2 and lets you form teams of two fighters. Tekken uses one button per limb and swaps during almost every tag bout. Dead or Alive 2 places more emphasis on holds and danger zones in multi-level arenas. Both support four participants in team battles, but their pacing and defence differ greatly.
Virtua Fighter 4 builds combat around precise movement, short combinations and carefully reading an opponent. Dead or Alive 2 is faster and more spectacular, with falls between arena sections and direct reversal moves. Virtua Fighter offers a deep training path and strict ring boundaries; Dead or Alive lets the environment change more often during a round.
Soulcalibur II gives every fighter a weapon and therefore makes reach a central difference. Dead or Alive 2 keeps the action to punches, kicks, throws and holds. Both allow sideways movement in three-dimensional arenas, but Soulcalibur can end a round with a ring-out where Dead or Alive often lets a fall continue into a new section.
Deadly Alliance lets characters switch between two fighting styles and a weapon style. Its pace is heavier and damage is presented more grimly. Dead or Alive 2 does not switch styles with a separate button, but lets attacks, holds and throws counter one another directly. Its multi-level arenas give bouts a more fluid progression.
Bloody Roar 3 gives every fighter an animal form with additional power and distinct attacks. Dead or Alive 2 has no transformations and draws variety from human fighting styles, tag teams and the environment. Both play quickly and reward aggressive combinations, but a well-timed hold in Dead or Alive can reverse the initiative immediately.
