Dead or Alive 6

File:DOA6 gameplay.png series.]]

New features include slow-motion moments and visible damage on the fighters during the course of the fight, while the sweat effects from Dead or Alive 5 return and are more pronounced.{{Cite web|url=https://www.redbull.com/int-en/dead-or-alive-6-interview-evo|title=Dead or Alive is more competitive than ever.|website=Red Bull|date=9 August 2018 |language=en|access-date=2019-01-24}}{{cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2018/06/25/e3-2018-dead-or-alive-6-first-hands-on-can-team-ninja-balance-familiar-and-fresh|title=E3 2018: Dead or Alive 6 First Hands-On: Could Team Ninja Balance Familiar and Fresh|first=Esra|last=Krabbe|work=IGN|date=June 25, 2018|access-date=October 4, 2018}} Dead or Alive 6 also marks the first time for the series to have costume customization mode.{{Citation|last=Quest GamingTV|title=DOA6 Character Customization Showcase {{!}} DOA Festival 2018 Gameplay|date=17 November 2018 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Im1eOVAZyFo|access-date=2019-01-18}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.famitsu.com/news/201811/19167813.html|title=【動画あり】『DOA6』の新衣装＆髪型変更を体験！ ティナ、バース、ミラ、クリスティの技表も！ 新堀Pインタビューも必見の『デッド オア アライブ 6』試遊リポート|website=ファミ通.com|date=19 November 2018 |language=ja|access-date=2019-01-24}} The game adds blood effects and new violence physics that can be user-adjusted or turned off in the options.

The game is supposed to be more accessible for newcomers.{{Cite web|url=https://twinfinite.net/2019/01/dead-or-alive-6-preview/|title=Dead or Alive 6 Is a Lot of Sexy Fun and More Accessible for Newcomers|last=Nelva|first=Giuseppe|date=2019-01-17|website=Twinfinite|language=en-US|access-date=2019-01-18}} New mechanics introduced are the Fatal Rush, a beginner-friendly mechanic where pressing one button multiple times results in the character performing a simple combo, and the Break Gauge, a meter that builds up as the characters attack. If the Gauge is full, a Fatal Rush will culminate in a Break Blow, similar to what the Critical Blow in Dead or Alive 5 would do. There is a new mechanic named the Break Hold, where the character reverses an opponent, stunning them, before appearing behind them, open for a counter.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.gameinformer.com/preview/2018/06/14/the-cast-is-back-in-fighting-shape-but-there-are-some-confusing-choices-made|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181004105646/https://www.gameinformer.com/preview/2018/06/14/the-cast-is-back-in-fighting-shape-but-there-are-some-confusing-choices-made|url-status=live|archive-date=October 4, 2018|title=Dead Or Alive 6: The cast is back in fighting shape, but there are some confusing choices made|first=Imran|last=Khan|magazine=Game Informer|date=June 14, 2018|access-date=October 4, 2018}} The juggling ground-bounce system in this game is also being enhanced to extend juggle combos.

{{See also|Characters of the Dead or Alive series}}

The game launched with a base roster of 24 characters. New to the fighter roster are Diego, a Mexican-American street fighter hailing from New York City, who enters the tournament in order to provide funding for his sick mother, Kula Diamond, a modified human from The King of Fighters series, mainly based on her appearance from The King of Fighters XIV, who was created by an organization called NESTS, NiCO, a M.I.S.T. scientist and silat martial artist from Finland, who wears a pair of EMF rings to utilize lightning-based attacks, and Tamaki, a Japanese former model turned fashion designer who made her debut in Dead or Alive Xtreme Venus Vacation and fights using aikido.

Characters listed in bold are new to the series or playable for the first time; characters listed in italics are guest characters.

{{Div col|colwidth=9em}}

• Ayane
• Bass Armstrong
• Bayman
• Brad Wong
• Christie
• Diego
• Eliot
• Hayate
• Helena Douglas
• Hitomi
• Honoka
• Jann Lee
• Kasumi
• Kokoro
• La Mariposa
• Leifang
• Marie Rose
• Mila
• NiCO
• Raidou
• Rig
• Ryu Hayabusa
• Tina Armstrong
• Zack

{{Div col end}}

The following characters are paid downloadable content added post-launch via updates.

{{Div col|colwidth=9em}}

• Phase-4
• Nyotengu
• Mai Shiranui
• Kula Diamond
• Momiji
• Rachel
• Tamaki

{{Div col end}}

Following previous events, Kasumi, a would-be leader of the legendary Mugen Tenshin Ninja Clan, who has abandoned her clan and became a "runaway ninja", secretly lives in a hermitage in a mountain village, while the reformed DOATEC corporation is still run by Helena Douglas.{{cite web|url=https://www.vg247.com/2018/06/11/672727/|title=Dead or Alive 6 story detailed, along with new screenshots|last=Arif|first=Shabana|date=June 11, 2018|work=VG 247|access-date=October 4, 2018}} Both DOATEC and the Mugen Tenshin discover that the organization, MIST, run by Victor Donovan, is after the fifth tournament qualifier participant, Honoka, due to her having a mysterious power signature, causing them to watch over her in different ways.

During preparations for the sixth Dead or Alive tournament, Helena orders her Swedish ward, Marie Rose, to guard Honoka while Zack recruits new and returning fighters. While Hayate and Helena discuss previous events, Hayate recognizes Rig from photos of the oil platform before its destruction. Wanting to find him, Helena informs Hayate on his whereabouts, being in New York city with Bass Armstrong. During the encounter, Rig doesn't know Hayate or remembers being involved in the events within MIST. Unsure if he was the same person, Hayate and Ayane decide to keep an eye on Rig. Kasumi accompanies Ryu Hayabusa to deal with MIST after the former is approached by her clone named Phase-4, and is ambushed by 3 other clones, which the two managed to fend off. Both Bass and his daughter, Tina, form their own wrestling team called the MUSCLE, with Helena announcing DOATEC as their sponsor and appointing Rig to sponsor them.

Sometime ago, Donovan recruits a Finnish scientist named NiCO, as Lisa Hamilton's replacement for MIST's revival of life project, believing she had enough intellect and fighting prowess to be a threat to the ninjas, though she also plans to use the project to resurrect her father, and also works on developing a prototype robotic version of the deceased ninja, Raidou, while accompanied by Christie. NiCO sought out Kokoro to repay her mother, Miyako, for getting her a job with MIST. Kokoro was left depressed after her mother abruptly left without a word, with NiCO empathizing with her abandonment as she too was abandoned by her own mother, but this angers Kokoro and the two fight. Kokoro bests her, but NiCO gives her a photo of Kokoro and Helena as children with Fame Douglas, prompting Kokoro to later asked Helena what the photo meant, with Helena reluctantly revealing that the two are half-sisters who shared the same father. Shocked by the revelation, Kokoro demanded to learn of it from her mother but Helena tries to stop her. Overpowered by Kokoro, Helena tearfully begs her not to leave, as Kokoro is the only family she has left and must protect her, ultimately convincing her. Zack manages to get Kokoro to reconcile with Helena, and offering her an invite to the tournament. Helena later meets with Lisa, who survived the lab destruction, as both discuss the information gathered during Lisa's risky infiltration of MIST. Afterwards, as a concerned Lisa wonders what has happened to the Phase 4 who attacked Bayman's military patrol during the previous events, she is approached by NiCO, revealing to be her replacement, and warns her to rethink working under Donovan, but NiCO refused, appearing to be already aware who he is.

During the tournament, Ayane informs Hayate on Honoka having similar abilities to Raidou, with Hayate deciding to have her taken into custody. While Rig is in the middle of cheering in the crowd, Donovan orders NiCO and Christie to activate Rig's "Donovan Jr" persona by planting the hypnotic device on him, brainwashing Rig into serving MIST, revealing to have been unknowingly brainwashed into serving them during the previous events. At the MIST laboratory, Donovan fawns over a capsule containing a mysterious female figure while NiCO watches in disgust. Hayate, unaware of Rig's brainwashed condition, comes across Rig who then calls him Epsilon and dispatches the prototype Raidou robot to deal with him. Hayate manages to defeat the prototype but the brainwashed Rig slips away and activates the Epsilon brace which freezes Hayate's body. Sometime later, Jann Lee, who won the previous tournament, spots Rig, whom he lost to in a fight during their previous encounter, and thinks he can challenge him again. Jann Lee defeats Rig, who appears strangely irritable and leaves claiming to lack memory of their previous encounter, which confuses Lee. After Rig is targeted earlier by Hayate and then by Bayman, Bass becomes worried about his best friend's situation and sudden disappearance. Jann Lee along with Mexican-American newcomer, Diego, both make it to the final round of the tournament with Jann Lee emerging victorious once again. However, Diego rises, refusing to give up and defeats Jann Lee in an unofficial rematch.

Meanwhile, Lisa prepares a prototype anti-Epsilon brace to help prevent it from freezing Hayate's body. Ayane attempts to take Honoka into custody, but is forced to fend off Marie Rose. Ayane ultimately bested the servant, but the distraction allowed Christie to kidnap Honoka. At the MIST laboratory, Honoka is knocked unconscious and is used as a subject to revive Raidou, revealing the former to be the latter's biological daughter. With Honoka's energy not being enough for the revival, and knowing Ayane is also Raidou's offspring, Christie sends a signal from Honoka's cell phone to Marie, attempting to lure Ayane to the facility. Upon arriving, Ayane and Marie encounter NiCO, who Ayane held off to allow Marie to find Honoka. Although Ayane defeats NiCO in battle, the latter then reveals Ayane's relation to Honoka with the two being half-sisters, shocking Ayane. NiCO then subdued Ayane off-guard with her electric gloves, not before Ayane sends two butterflies as signals for help. While fighting the brainwash Rig, Hayate receives the butterfly, prompting him to abandon the fight. Kasumi and Hayabusa would receive the other butterfly during their fight with Christie and the prototype Raidou. Afterwards, Bayman arrives at the facility, saving Marie from Christie, who held her a gunpoint. The energies of Honoka and Ayane successfully revives Raidou, who emerges as a powerful undead cyborg. As Kasumi and Hayate infiltrate the facility, they come across NiCO, attempting to dispose of the both unconscious Ayane and Honoka. Kasumi is forced to fight NiCO and a brainwashed Ayane while Hayate is forced to pursue a Phase 4 clone kidnapping Honoka.

As Ayane and Honoka are rescued, Honoka is left with Marie in Bayman's care while Hayate, Kasumi, and Ayane leave to track down the resurrected Raidou. With their combined efforts, the three siblings kill Raidou once and for all, leaving no trace of him behind. As Helena and Hayabusa arrive at the facility, Helena questions Miyako's whereabouts to NiCO, who reveals the revival of life project and that her mother, Maria, benefited from it. Helena disapproves, stating one has to overcome their grief and move on, much to NiCO's denial and escape from Helena while they were unknowingly viewed by an unknown figure from a distance.

Team Ninja began full-time development on Dead or Alive 6 in December 2017{{Cite web|url=https://www.famitsu.com/news/201806/09158656.html|title=『DOA』が、セクシーからクールに。システム、キャラクター、あのエンジンは？ 『デッド オア アライブ 6』インタビュー|website=ファミ通.com|date=9 June 2018 |language=ja|access-date=2019-01-24}} and publicly revealed it in June 2018.{{cite web|url=https://www.polygon.com/2018/6/8/17441656/dead-or-alive-6-release-date-announcement-trailer|title=Dead or Alive 6 announced, coming early 2019|first=Michael|last=McWhertor|work=Polygon|date=June 8, 2018|access-date=October 4, 2018}} It was developed using a new graphics engine, which was created to power multiple Koei Tecmo titles.{{Cite web|url=https://www.dualshockers.com/dead-or-alive-6-interview-part-2/|title=DEAD OR ALIVE 6 Interview Part 2: Koei Tecmo Unveils its Powerful New Engine|date=2018-10-18|website=DualShockers|language=en|access-date=2019-01-24}} The studio announced they sought to slightly tone down the sexualized portrayal of female characters and focused on being an esports title.{{Cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/dead-or-alive-6-devs-want-to-make-the-jump-to-the-/1100-6464534/|title=Dead Or Alive 6 Devs Want To Make The Jump To The Larger Esports Stage|last=Fillari|first=Alessandro|date=2019-01-22|website=GameSpot|language=en-US|access-date=2019-01-24}}Walker, Ian (August 5, 2018) [https://web.archive.org/web/20181004062531/https://www.kotaku.com.au/2018/08/dead-or-alive-6-is-less-sexualized-and-more-esports/ Dead Or Alive 6 Is Less Sexualised, More Esports] Kotaku. Retrieved 4 October 2018. A single-player campaign, which was described as "cohesive" by director and producer Yohei Shimbori, was developed so that the game can appeal to both casual gamers and the Western audience.{{cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/dead-or-alive-6-makes-the-franchise-more-approacha/1100-6460271/|title=Dead Or Alive 6 Makes The Franchise More Approachable And Accessible For Newcomers|first=Jordan|last=Ramee|work=GameSpot|date=July 13, 2018|access-date=October 4, 2018}} A new character Diego was also designed specifically in mind for American males aged 25 to 35.{{Cite web|url=https://www.actugaming.net/dead-or-alive-6-interview-yohei-shimbori-producteur-184969/|title=Dead or Alive 6 : Notre Interview avec Yohei Shimbori, producteur du jeu|date=2019-01-18|website=ActuGaming.net|language=fr-FR|access-date=2019-01-19}} Tag Battle and Team Fight modes of the previous games isn't featured due to the team focusing all its resources on one vs one modes.{{Cite web|url=https://www.dualshockers.com/dead-alive-6-wont-use-soft-engine/|title=Dead or Alive 6 Won't Use the Soft Engine; Director Explains Tech and Change to "Cool" Looks|date=2018-06-09|website=DualShockers|language=en|access-date=2019-02-15}}

Shimbori later denied that the game has been censored due to the new Sony standards against sexual content in PlayStation games and promised it would be at the DOA5 standards, claiming to having been repeatedly misunderstood or mistranslated on the issue.{{Cite web|url=http://kayane.fr/2019/01/16/interview-with-yohei-shimbori-producer-on-dead-or-alive-6/|title=Interview with Yohei Shimbori, Producer on Dead or Alive 6|date=2019-01-16|website=Kayane.fr|access-date=2019-01-18|archive-date=2019-01-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190119010659/http://kayane.fr/2019/01/16/interview-with-yohei-shimbori-producer-on-dead-or-alive-6/|url-status=dead}}{{Cite web|url=https://twinfinite.net/2019/01/dead-or-alive-6-censorship/|title=Dead or Alive 6 Director Clarifies Comments on Reduced Fanservice; Debunks PS4 Censorship Rumors|last=Nelva|first=Giuseppe|date=2019-01-18|website=Twinfinite|language=en-US|access-date=2019-01-19}} He also cited the unfavorable perception of the previous games by "some media outlets" as a reason for the changes and blamed the reduction of female clothing damage on otherwise being unable to distribute the game in the Western stores,{{Cite web|url=https://www.polygon.com/2019/1/22/18192019/dead-or-alive-6-sexualized-characters|title=Dead or Alive 6's wokeness looks like marketing voodoo|last=Campbell|first=Colin|date=2019-01-22|website=Polygon|access-date=2019-01-24}} stating he has been trying to avoid the repetition of the situation with Dead or Alive Xtreme 3 where they could not sell it in Europe and North America.{{Cite web|url=https://twinfinite.net/2019/01/dead-or-alive-6-interview-director-talks-fanservice-accessibility-dlc-and-much-more/|title=Dead or Alive 6 Interview: Director Talks Fanservice, Accessibility, DLC, and Much More|last=Nelva|first=Giuseppe|date=2019-01-22|website=Twinfinite|language=en-US|access-date=2019-01-24}} Nevertheless, an Evo Japan 2019 official stream, featuring gravure idols Yuka Kuramochi and Saki Yoshida, was shut down and apologized for by the Evolution Championship Series president Joey Cuellar and head of business development Mark Julio citing "core values".{{Cite web|url=http://www.pushsquare.com/news/2019/02/japanese_dead_or_alive_6_stream_axed_after_things_got_a_bit_too_sexually_suggestive|title=Japanese Dead or Alive 6 Stream Axed After Things Got a Bit Too Sexually Suggestive|date=2019-02-15|website=Push Square|language=en-GB|access-date=2019-02-15}}{{Cite web|url=https://ezone.ulifestyle.com.hk/article/2272734/EVO%20Japan%20%E9%9B%BB%E7%AB%B6%E7%9B%B4%E6%92%AD%E8%85%B0%E6%96%AC%EF%BC%81DOA%20%E5%A5%B3%E6%A8%A1%E6%90%96%E8%83%B8%E6%8B%8D%E8%87%80%E6%9C%89%E9%81%95%E8%B3%BD%E6%9C%83%E6%A0%B8%E5%BF%83%E5%83%B9%E5%80%BC|title=EVO Japan 電競直播腰斬！DOA 女模搖胸拍臀有違賽會核心價值 - ezone.hk - 遊戲動漫 - 電玩遊戲|website=ezone.hk 即時科技生活|date=15 February 2019 |access-date=2019-02-15}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.eventhubs.com/news/2019/feb/15/evo-japan-stream-cuts-feed-after-lewd-display-during-dead-or-alive-6-presentation-staff-apologizes/|title=EVO Japan 2019 stream cuts feed after lewd display during Dead or Alive 6 presentation, staff apologizes|last=Chavez|first=Steven|date=2019-02-15|website=EventHubs|language=en|access-date=2019-02-15}} Cuellar would later be removed from Evo in 2020 due to allegations of sexual misconduct towards young boys during the 1990s and 2000s, resulting in the cancellation of Evo 2020.{{cite web |last1=Minotti |first1=Mike |title=Evo 2020 cancelled in wake of sexual abuse allegations (Updated) |url=https://venturebeat.com/2020/07/02/evo-2020-in-disarray-after-capcom-mortal-kombat-withdraw-in-wake-of-sexual-abuse-allegations/ |website=VB |publisher=Venture Beat|date=2020-07-02|accessdate=2020-07-02}}

An open beta version was made available between January 12–14 for the PlayStation Plus subscribers.{{Cite web|url=http://www.pushsquare.com/news/2019/01/dead_or_alive_6_open_beta_test_available_to_download_now|title=Dead or Alive 6 Open Beta Test Available to Download Now|date=2019-01-11|website=Push Square|language=en-GB|access-date=2019-01-18}} A new demo has been exclusive to PlayStation Plus and Xbox Live Gold members between February 22–24.

Dead or Alive 6 was released for PlayStation 4, Windows, and Xbox One on March 1, 2019,{{Cite web|url=https://www.siliconera.com/2019/01/07/dead-or-alive-6-delayed-until-march-2019/|title=Dead Or Alive 6 Delayed Until March 2019|date=2019-01-08|website=Siliconera|access-date=2019-02-15}} delayed two weeks from the original release date of February 15.{{cite web|url=https://www.gamerevolution.com/news/429355-dead-or-alive-6-release-date-announced-by-koei-tecmo|title=Dead or Alive 6 Release Date Announced by Koei Tecmo|first=Alleef|last=Ashaari|work=Game Revolution|date=September 10, 2018|access-date=October 4, 2018}} Limited edition items in Japan included life-size bed sheets of Ayane and Kasumi, a bath poster of Ayane and Kasumi, and bust and buttocks shaped 3D mousepads of Honoka and Marie Rose.{{Cite web|url=https://www.famitsu.com/news/201811/21167962.html|title=『DOA6』新堀P＆『DOAXVV』作田Dのコメントも掲載！ 『DOA』ファンの祭典""DEAD OR ALIVE FESTIVAL 2018"全体リポート|website=ファミ通.com|date=21 November 2018 |language=ja|access-date=2019-01-24}} The characters Nyotengu and Phase-4 were launch DLC as pre-order and deluxe edition bonuses respectively. The Deluxe Edition also featured exclusive costumes for the launch roster.{{Cite web|url=https://twinfinite.net/2019/02/dead-or-alive-6-deluxe-costumes/|title=Dead or Alive 6 Reveals All Deluxe Costumes with New Images|last=Nelva|first=Giuseppe|date=2019-02-22|website=Twinfinite|language=en-US|access-date=2019-03-02}}

Similar to Dead or Alive 5, Dead or Alive 6 also has a "Core Fighters" free-to-play version,{{Cite web|url=https://www.teamninja-studio.com/doa6/uk/corefighters.html|title=DEAD OR ALIVE 6 {{!}} CORE FIGHTERS|website=DEAD OR ALIVE 6|access-date=2019-03-19}} which was made available two weeks after release on March 15.{{Cite web|url=https://gematsu.com/2019/03/free-to-play-dead-or-alive-6-core-fighters-now-available|title=Free-to-play Dead or Alive 6: Core Fighters now available|date=2019-03-15|website=Gematsu|language=en-US|access-date=2019-05-16}}

The first season pass added two additional characters and 62 new costumes. It received mixed reception due to being priced higher than the base game and not including all downloadable content costumes available at the time.{{Cite web|url=https://www.shacknews.com/article/110254/dead-or-alive-6-93-season-pass-1-might-not-include-all-dlc|title=Dead or Alive 6 $93 Season Pass 1 might not include all DLC|website=Shacknews|date=March 2019 |language=en|access-date=2019-03-02}} The characters added as part of season one were guests Mai Shiranui and Kula Diamond from The King of Fighters, mainly based on their appearances from The King of Fighters XIV.{{Cite web|url=https://twinfinite.net/2019/02/dead-or-alive-6-season-pass-snk/|title=Dead or Alive 6 Getting Mai Shiranui DLC, New Demo, and More; First Season Pass Detailed|last=Nelva|first=Giuseppe|date=2019-02-15|website=Twinfinite|language=en-US|access-date=2019-02-15}}

An arcade version announced in late 2018{{Cite web|url=https://www.dualshockers.com/dead-alive-6-arcade-version-announced/|title=Dead or Alive 6's Arcade Version Announced|date=2018-09-29|website=DualShockers|language=en|access-date=2019-01-18}} was released on July 18, 2019.{{cite tweet |user=doa6jp |number=1151792766629756929 |date=2019-07-18 |title=DOA6アーケード版はAPM3(ALL .Net P-ras MULTI バージョン3)筐体でプレイできます。このAPM3には複数のゲームタイトルが含まれておりますので、店舗で本タイトルをお探しの際はご注意ください。 |language=Japanese }} Returning character Momiji was teased before release{{Cite web|url=https://twinfinite.net/2019/01/dead-or-alive-6-dlc-momiji/|title=Dead or Alive 6 -- There Is Hope for Momiji's Return as DLC if the Game Does Well|last=Nelva|first=Giuseppe|date=2019-01-18|website=Twinfinite|language=en-US|access-date=2019-01-18}} and eventually was added to the game as part of season two on September 19, 2019.{{Cite web|url=https://www.famitsu.com/news/201909/14183337.html|title=『DOA6』に紅葉（声：皆口裕子）の参戦が決定。紅葉用の衣装や忍者衣装のDLC配信も【TGS2019】|website=ファミ通.com}} Rachel, also from Ninja Gaiden, returned as DLC for season three and was released on December 17, 2019.{{Cite web|url=https://gematsu.com/2019/11/dead-or-alive-6-dlc-character-rachel-announced|title=Dead or Alive 6 DLC character Rachel announced|date=November 23, 2019}}

During a developer interview, characters from Dead or Alive Xtreme Venus Vacation were originally ruled out by Team Ninja from being added to the mainline fighting game series.{{Cite web|url=https://www.dualshockers.com/dead-alive-6-wont-feature-new-girls-dead-alive-xtreme-venus-vacation/|title=Dead or Alive 6 Won't Feature the New Girls from Dead or Alive Xtreme: Venus Vacation|date=2018-06-13|website=DualShockers|language=en|access-date=2019-01-18}} However, during the "Dead or Alive Festival 2019" event, it was announced that Tamaki would join the roster of Dead or Alive 6.{{Cite web|url=https://twitter.com/doa6jp/status/1198182652756582404|title=【DOA Fes告知情報⑥】 DMM GAMES用PCゲーム『DEAD OR ALIVE Xtreme Venus Vacation』からコラボキャラクターの参戦が決定！こちらも現在製作中につき、続報をお待ちください！ #DOA6 #DOAXVV #ブイブイpic.twitter.com/57FaXRxguk|date=November 23, 2019}}{{Cite web|url=https://game.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/news/1237128.html|title = 「Doa6」に「Doaxvv」より服飾デザイナー「たまき」が参戦！|date = 25 February 2020}} She was released on March 10, 2020 as part of season four.

{{Video game reviews

| MC = XONE: 76/100{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/dead-or-alive-6/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox-one |title=Dead or Alive 6 for Xbox One Reviews |website=Metacritic |publisher=CBS Interactive |access-date=19 March 2019}}
PC: 73/100{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/dead-or-alive-6/critic-reviews/?platform=pc |title=Dead or Alive 6 for PC Reviews |website=Metacritic |publisher=CBS Interactive |access-date=29 March 2019}}
PS4: 72/100{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/dead-or-alive-6/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-4 |title=Dead or Alive 6 for PlayStation 4 Reviews |website=Metacritic |publisher=CBS Interactive |access-date=3 March 2019}}

| EGM = 7/10{{cite magazine |last=Patterson |first=Mollie L. |title=Dead or Alive 6 review |url=https://www.egmnow.com/articles/reviews/dead-or-alive-6-review/ |magazine=EGMNow |date=3 March 2019 |access-date=6 March 2019}}

| Fam = 35/40{{cite web |title=Famitsu review scores (2/19/19) |url=https://nintendoeverything.com/famitsu-review-scores-2-19-19/ |access-date=March 6, 2019 |website=Nintendo Everything |date=February 19, 2019}}

| GI = 6.75/10{{cite magazine |last=Vazquez |first=Suriel |title=Dead Or Alive 6 Review – A Low Blow |url=https://www.gameinformer.com/review/dead-or-alive-6/a-low-blow |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190305094022/https://www.gameinformer.com/review/dead-or-alive-6/a-low-blow |url-status=live |archive-date=March 5, 2019 |magazine=Game Informer |date=1 March 2019 |access-date=6 March 2019}}

| GameRev = {{Rating|4|5}}{{cite web |last=Treese |first=Tyler |title=Dead or Alive 6 Review |url=https://www.gamerevolution.com/review/501319-dead-or-alive-6-review-ps4-xbox-pc |website=Game Revolution |date=March 2019 |access-date=6 March 2019}}

| GSpot = 7/10{{cite web |last=Kemps |first=Heidi |title=Dead Or Alive 6 Review - Battle Ready |url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/dead-or-alive-6-review-battle-ready/1900-6417097/ |website=GameSpot |date=4 March 2019 |access-date=6 March 2019}}

| IGN = 7.7/10{{cite web |last=Epstein |first=Mike |title=Dead or Alive 6 Review |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2019/03/01/dead-or-alive-6-review |website=IGN |date=1 March 2019 |access-date=6 March 2019}}

| PCGN = 9/10{{cite web |last=Ridsale |first=Jack |title=Dead or Alive 6 review – a sublime evolution of the fighting legend |url=https://www.pcgamesn.com/dead-or-alive-6/review |website=PCGamesN |date=1 March 2019 |access-date=6 March 2019}}

| rev1 = The Games Machine

| rev1Score = 8.4/10{{cite web |last=Dellafrana |first=Danilo |title=Dead or Alive 6 Recensione PC PS4 Xbox One |url=https://www.thegamesmachine.it/dead-or-alive-6-ps4-xbox-one-pc/dead-or-alive-6-recensione-pc-ps4-xbox-one/ |website=The Games Machine |date=28 February 2019 |access-date=6 March 2019 |language=it}}

| rev2 = The Guardian

| rev2Score = {{Rating|4|5}}{{cite news |last=Boxer |first=Steve |title=Dead or Alive 6 review – fabulous fighting with an unwelcome soft-porn vibe |url=https://www.theguardian.com/games/2019/mar/04/dead-or-alive-6-review-fabulous-fighting-with-an-unwelcome-soft-porn-vibe |newspaper=The Guardian |date=4 March 2019 |access-date=6 March 2019}}

}}

Dead or Alive 6 received "mixed or average" reviews from critics for the PC and PlayStation 4 versions, while the Xbox One version received "generally favorable" reviews, according to review aggregator website Metacritic.{{r|MC_PC|MC_PS4|MC_XONE}}

IGN's Mike Epstein said: "DoA 6 proves there's plenty of depth to this fighter beneath its skimpy outfits, but its story mode is disjointed and its multiplayer features are currently bare." GameSpot's Heidi Kemps said, "despite some missteps, DoA6 is a fun, engaging fighter with great-feeling, easy-to-pick-up combat, a strong sense of visual style, and a lot of personality. If you're looking for a new fighting game to learn the ins and outs of--or perhaps a nice entry into the 3D side of fighting games--DoA6 is a fighter of choice."

In a mixed review, Game Informer said that "while the tutorial and DOA Quest mode do a decent job of getting you up to speed on what makes combat tick, the awful story mode does it no favors, and the barebones online puts a damper on what could have been a second wind for the series."

EGMNow{{'}}s Mollie Patterson, who reviewed the game, stated that "if its flaws can be forgiven, it's still a genuinely decent new Dead or Alive chapter that offers most of what fans have loved in the past. And, even if they are a pain to unlock, I love some of the non-paid alt costumes we've been given."

In 2023, DualShockers ranked Dead or Alive 6 8th hardest fighting game, calling the game's defense mechanisms both complex and confusing, and that learning character moves and the game's unique kind of difficulty is the key to getting over its massive learning curve.{{cite web |last=Donato |first=Leah |title=10 Hardest Fighting Games, Ranked |url=https://www.dualshockers.com/hardest-fighting-games/#dead-or-alive-6 |website=DualShockers.com |date=July 28, 2023 |access-date=28 September 2023}} Watchmojo ranked it 10th hardest fighting game, calling it the most violent the series that's easy to pick up and tough to master, also stating how fighting game pros unleash their fury quicker when given easier mechanics.{{cite web |last=Reynolds |first=Johnny |title=Top 10 Hardest Fighting Games |url=https://www.watchmojo.com/articles/top-10-hardest-fighting-games |website=Watchmojo |date=September 2023 |access-date=28 September 2023}}

In Japan, approximately 26,442 physical units for PS4 were sold during its launch week becoming the number one selling game of any format.{{cite web |last=Romano |first=Sal |title=Media Create Sales: 2/25/19 – 3/3/19 |url=https://gematsu.com/2019/03/media-create-sales-2-25-19-3-3-19 |website=Gematsu |date=8 March 2019}} 350,000 units of the game have been shipped worldwide during the first month across all three platforms.{{cite web |last=Romano |first=Sal |title=Dead or Alive 6 shipments top 350,000 |url=https://gematsu.com/2019/04/dead-or-alive-6-shipments-top-350000 |website=Gematsu |date=26 April 2019 |access-date=16 May 2019}} By May 2019, the game had been downloaded 1 million times.{{Cite web|url=https://www.eventhubs.com/news/2019/may/16/dead-or-alive-6-core-fighters-crosses-1-million-downloads-and-team-ninja-rewarding-players-celebrate-update-version-105-released/|title=Dead or Alive 6 Core Fighters crosses 1 million downloads and Team Ninja is rewarding players to celebrate; update Version 1.05 released|first=Dakota 'DarkHorse'|last=Hills|date=May 16, 2019|website=EventHubs}} The number of digital versions' owners crossed 2 million by December of that year.{{Cite web|url=https://www.eventhubs.com/news/2019/dec/17/rachel-now-available-dead-or-alive-6-along-santa-bikinis-free-hayate-costume-and-bonus-character-playstation-plus-and-xbox-live-users/|title=Rachel now available in Dead or Alive 6 along with Santa bikinis, a free Hayate costume and bonus character for PlayStation Plus and Xbox Live users|first=Dakota 'DarkHorse'|last=Hills|date=December 17, 2019|website=EventHubs}} As of April 15 2020, the game has been downloaded 3 million times.{{Cite web|url=https://www.thegamer.com/dead-or-alive-6-core-fighters-free-weeks/|title=Dead Or Alive 6: Core Fighters To Get Free Character Weeks For A Month|first=Peter|last=Glagowski|date=April 15, 2020|website=TheGamer}}

{{clear}}

{{Reflist}}

• {{Official website|https://teamninja-studio.com/doa6/}}

{{Dead or Alive series}}

{{Team Ninja|state=collapsed}}

{{King of Fighters Characters}}

{{Fatal Fury}}

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