Dead or Alive 5: Last Round – Aquaplus Mashup Set

Dead or Alive 5: Last Round – Aquaplus Mashup Set is a compilation expansion pack for the Dead or Alive 5: Last Round fighting game, released in December 2016. It features a unique collaboration with AQUAPLUS, known for their heart-warming games with beautiful characters, by introducing 16 character mashup DLCs that pair Dead or Alive fighters with AQUAPLUS counterparts. Each mashup includes themed costumes and crossover elements, blending the universes of both franchises within the Dead or Alive combat environment.

Dead or Alive 5: Last Round – Aquaplus Mashup Set: Review

1. Introduction

In the vast, ever-expanding universe of fighting game DLC, few collaborations are as delightfully niche as Dead or Alive 5: Last Round – Aquaplus Mashup Set. Released in December 2016 as the capstone of Season Pass 5 for Team Ninja’s venerable fighter, this bundle is a love letter to Aquaplus—a studio celebrated for its heart-warming visual novels brimming with “countless beautiful girls.” For veterans of DOA5LR, which itself served as the definitive version of a franchise spanning decades, the Aquaplus costumes represent the culmination of an ambitious post-release strategy: flooding the market with meticulously crafted, thematically distinct outfits. This review will dissect the DLC’s place within DOA’s legacy, its execution as a crossover, and its impact on the game’s already staggering customization ecosystem.

2. Development History & Context

Dead or Alive 5: Last Round (2015) was Team Ninja’s final, definitive update to the DOA5 saga, arriving on PS4, Xbox One, and PC with expanded rosters, stages, and a relentless DLC schedule that lasted until December 2017. The Aquaplus Mashup Set emerged late in this lifecycle, on December 12, 2016, as part of Season Pass 5—a pass that also included fan-favorite packs like Flower Bikinis and the debut of SNK’s Mai Shiranui.

The collaboration reflected Team Ninja’s strategy of leveraging Japanese pop culture to sustain player engagement. Aquaplus, known for franchises like To Heart and Dungeon Travelers, was an unconventional partner, given its focus on narrative-driven, non-violent experiences. Yet this contrast fueled the DLC’s appeal: merging the hyper-stylized violence of DOA with Aquaplus’s signature “kawaii” aesthetics. Technically, the costumes were platform-delineated: PS4 and Xbox One versions retained destructible functionality (a core DOA fanservice feature), while the PC edition, sold exclusively as a bundle, omitted this due to engine limitations—a notable compromise for the Steam audience. The set’s release also coincided with the peak of DOA5LR’s commercial success, which had amassed over 8 million downloads by January 2017.

3. Narrative & Thematic Deep Dive

As a cosmetic DLC, the Aquaplus set introduces no new narrative. Instead, its “story” is told through thematic juxtaposition. The 16 costumes—inspired by characters from Aquaplus’s library—transform DOA’s warriors into archetypes from visual novels: schoolgirls, maidens, and fantasy heroines. Kasumi becomes Mizuki Takase from To Heart, a bookish, gentle soul; Ayane dons Multi’s iconic maid outfit; Ryu Hayabusa is reimagined as Hakuowlo, a stoic general from White Album. This fusion creates a compelling subtext: the clash between DOA’s brutal martial arts and Aquaplus’s escapist, romanticized femininity.

The costumes evoke “heart-warming” nostalgia, as Aquaplus’s games often explore themes of friendship, love, and innocence. Honoka’s Tamaki Kousaka outfit, for instance, channels the cheerful optimism of a high school student, while Phase 4’s Melvy skin leans into the melancholy of a misunderstood android. Even the male characters are thematically resonant: Hayate as Arawn, a tragic hero from * Tears to Tiara, and Hayabusa as Hakuowlo, a noble leader. The absence of destructible functionality on PC subtly alters this narrative, as the costumes’ vulnerability—a core *DOA mechanic—is stripped, leaving them as static symbols rather than dynamic storytelling tools.

4. Gameplay Mechanics & Systems

The Aquaplus set integrates seamlessly into DOA5LR’s existing systems. As pure cosmetics, they do not alter combat mechanics, but they enhance the game’s core loop: customization and self-expression. Each costume is applied via the character-select menu’s “Costume Options,” allowing players to mix-and-match with hairstyles and accessories. Notably, the bundle covers 14 female and 2 male characters, ensuring most of the roster can partake in the crossover.

However, the DLC’s design carries a critical flaw: the destructible functionality is absent on PC. In console versions, outfits tear and fray during battles, adding visceral, interactive fanservice. The PC’s omission, while acknowledged by Team Ninja, feels like a regression, especially given the set’s $31.99 price tag (or $2.99 per costume individually). This disparity highlights a technical compromise that diminishes the value proposition for PC players. Otherwise, the costumes are polished, with textures and animations consistent with DOA5LR’s high standards. They function in all modes—Story, Versus, Online—making them a versatile, if superficial, addition to the game’s 400+ costume library.

5. World-Building, Art & Sound

The Aquaplus costumes are a masterclass in thematic art direction. They transport DOA’ fighters into Aquaplus’s world: classrooms, gardens, and fantasy realms. Kasumi’s Mizuki Takase outfit, for example, features a delicate sailor uniform and twin tails, evoking a sense of youthful innocence that contrasts sharply with her shinobi origins. Nyotengu’s Camyu skin swaps her tengu garb for a frilly, winged dress, blending mythological grandeur with kawaii charm. Even the male costumes, like Hayabusa’s Hakuowlo armor, retain intricate details—armor plates, flowing capes—that feel authentic to their source material.

Sound design remains untouched: the costumes introduce no new voice lines or battle cries, relying on the base game’s audio. This is understandable for a cosmetic pack, but it underscores the DLC’s lack of narrative depth. Visually, the costumes shine on PS4/Xbox One, where the “Soft Engine” enhances skin textures and cloth physics. On PC, the higher resolution support (up to 4K) compensates somewhat, but the lack of destruction makes the outfits feel “flat.” Overall, the art celebrates the synergy between two distinct Japanese aesthetics—DOA’s hyper-stylized realism and Aquaplus’s illustrative vibrancy.

6. Reception & Legacy

At launch, the Aquaplus Mashup Set received muted but positive reviews. Critics acknowledged its niche appeal, with COGconnected calling it a “dream collaboration” for Aquaplus fans while noting its high cost for casual players. The $2.99-per-outfit pricing was seen as steep, though the bundle’s discount (vs. buying individually) was appreciated. The PC version’s destructible omission drew criticism, with players on forums like SocksCap64 lamenting the technical disparity.

Commercially, the DLC was a modest success, bolstered by DOA5LR’s dedicated fanbase and the hype surrounding Season Pass 5’s conclusion. Its legacy, however, lies in its role as a time capsule of DOA’s post-release ambition. It stands alongside collaborations with SNK (The King of Fighters), Gust (Atelier), and Attack on Titan as evidence of Team Ninja’s commitment to keeping DOA5LR relevant years after its release. For Aquaplus, it was a rare foray into fighting games, expanding its audience beyond visual novel enthusiasts. By 2020, sales were discontinued, cementing the set as a finite, collectible piece of DOA history.

7. Conclusion

Dead or Alive 5: Last Round – Aquaplus Mashup Set is a fascinating artifact of gaming culture—a high-budget, artistically ambitious crossover that thrives on its own specificity. As the final major DLC in DOA5LR’s Season Pass 5, it exemplifies the team’s relentless pursuit of customization and cross-promotional synergy. The costumes are undeniably gorgeous, brimming with personality and thematic depth, even if their impact is purely cosmetic. Yet, the PC version’s lack of destructible functionality and the set’s premium pricing temper its appeal, limiting its relevance to die-hard collectors and Aquaplus devotees.

In the grand scheme of video game history, the Aquaplus Mashup Set is a footnote—but a vibrant one. It underscores the Dead or Alive series’ legacy as a platform for bold, unconventional collaborations and celebrates the art of cosmetic DLC as a form of cultural exchange. For players willing to embrace its niche charm, it’s a dream realized; for others, it’s a testament to the era when fighting games could dress their fighters in schoolgirl outfits and call it art. Final Verdict: A lovingly crafted, if niche, crossover that enriches DOA5LR’s world but falters on technical consistency.