Useless or Alive made probably the most inconceivable comeback

With the sheer variety of new releases, 2026 guarantees to be an enormous yr for the Combating Sport Group, however there has additionally been a serious shock announcement. By what can solely be described as a miracle, Useless or Alive is again, proving that the franchise is extra alive than useless.

This comes as a serious shock, contemplating that the sequence was thought-about virtually useless following its sixth entry, but the latest PlayStation State of Play showcase revealed that Useless or Alive 6 is coming to PS5 via the Final Spherical version, and that Workforce Ninja is even planning a brand new entry within the sequence for its thirtieth anniversary.

With that stated, let’s cowl why this comeback is so surprising and what it means for the way forward for preventing video games. 

The Useless or Alive 6 Final Spherical announcement would have been surprising sufficient by itself, however the addition of a brand new sport sooner or later was an enormous shock, for the reason that franchise hasn’t had a brand new venture since 2019. Greater than that, DOA 6 has had little influence on the esports scene.

Tomonobu Itagaki, the creator of Useless or Alive and the Ninja Gaiden sequence, which Useless or Alive is a spin-off of, sadly handed away in late 2025, on the early age of 58. Mix this with feedback that the sequence wouldn’t be making a comeback, and it appeared that Koei Tecmo would solely be engaged on new Ninja Gaiden titles. Even that appeared unlikely on the time.

But, right here we’re, with none warning, with a serious Useless or Alive announcement in 2026, a yr that the Combating Sport Group have been revelling in with the upcoming launch of many new titles. Koei Tecmo, basically, appears to be placing extra assets into making new video games, and for preventing sport followers, it’s unimaginable to see this embrace Useless or Alive, a franchise that has been round for 30 years.

So, with the announcement of a brand new title, does that imply we’re getting Useless or Alive 7? It hasn’t been confirmed, however it’s greater than probably, particularly contemplating that each Ryu and Kasumi, two of probably the most iconic Useless or Alive characters, have new designs.

With Useless or Alive 6 Final Spherical popping out first, it appears just like SEGA’s methodology of getting gamers prepared for a brand new preventing sport. SEGA re-released Virtua Fighter 5 helped to herald within the announcement of a brand new Virtua Fighter venture, and given the success of this methodology up to now, it appears a superb one for Workforce Ninja to duplicate.

Whereas DOA 6 is actually a enjoyable title, the hope is that Useless or Alive 7 will proper a number of the wrongs the sequence has suffered and get it again on monitor. There may be the prospect that, whereas will probably be well-received, it could not promote nicely sufficient to endure, struggling the same destiny to Soulcalibur 6.

A great way for DOA 7 to beat that is to enhance the sport’s on-line capabilities. Useless or Alive already has unimaginable customisation, one thing preventing video games have a number of within the 2020s, simply take a look at Tekken 7 and the costs of 2XKO skins. What it ought to concentrate on is options like rollback netcode and making it as simple as potential to seek out matches for each informal and ranked play.  

Whereas Useless or Alive isn’t a franchise the scale of Road Fighter or Tekken, particularly in 2026, its revival is an enormous deal. It, together with the brand new Virtua Fighter sport, implies that reviving storied preventing sport franchises is feasible, though expectations for the sport’s gross sales must be stored in verify.

Regardless of Soulcalibur 6 being well-received at launch, a mixture of mediocre on-line play choices, a low price range, and excessive gross sales expectations prevented it from getting additional funding from Bandai Namco. The net play was the largest blow, because it didn’t preserve gamers concerned with SC6 long run, regardless of the amount of single-player content material. That is one thing Useless or Alive 7 has to get proper, and rollback netcode is a must have.

Nonetheless, if Useless or Alive and Virtua Fighter could make a comeback, hopefully releasing throughout the decade, it might make the 3D fighter scene extra fascinating, though we’re nonetheless ready for a Useless or Alive 7 launch date. Whereas there was a myriad of 2D preventing video games, equivalent to Road Fighter 6, Responsible Gear Attempt, Dragon Ball FighterZ, and Deadly Fury: Metropolis of the Wolves, 3D fighters haven’t made the identical influence.

Tekken has had a monopoly on 3D fighters for the final decade, and DOA 7 and the brand new Virtua Fighter might upset this stability. The Useless or Alive 7 roster would most likely should be fairly giant, contemplating the scale of Tekken 8’s at launch, however DOA has the characters to do that. It additionally has its famed, raunchy aspect and unserious nature that may assist its enchantment to casuals, too.

The brand new DOA is a large announcement for the FGC, particularly since many had thought the sequence was condemned to everlasting dormancy. This, together with a brand new Virtua Fighter, the continued efforts of Road Fighter 6 and Tekken 8, and all the brand new fighters of 2026, together with: 2XKO, Avatar Legends, Invincible VS, and Marvel Tokon, implies that there will probably be a lot for FGC followers to get entangled with.

Then once more, there will probably be a number of competitors that DOA should overcome, and there’s no assure that it’s going to emerge victorious. It might want to sustain with trendy fighters, with streamlined, steady on-line play, whereas concurrently returning to the sequence’ peak with Useless or Alive 4 and earlier.

Whereas little or no has been revealed about this upcoming DOA venture, will probably be good for followers to lastly really feel like they’ve Useless or Alive information to stay up for, slightly than looking for scraps.