Similar to in DOA5 Plus, the players are also able to choose their own custom music outside Dead or Alive series for the fights; Ultimate also features' the returning characters' past themes.

[6] The game features a total of 231 costumes (more than twice increase from 114 alternate outfits in the original DOA5[12]) that are to be unlockable using new system of Grade Points the players might earn by winning the matches as Prize Fighters in four levels (Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum).

The game's director Yohei Shimbori said: "Since we launched Dead or Alive 5, we received a lot of feedback from fans around the world.

[29] A standard collector's edition includes a soundtrack CD, "Kasumi-chan Blue" 3D mousepad, Kasumi playing cards, and a code for the "Ultimate Sexy Costume".

[30] Tecmo Koei Europe offered exclusive downloadable in-game costumes (the packs J-Pop, Schoolgirl and Bad Girl) as pre-order bonuses, making them available for the different characters depending on a given retailer: Kokoro, Leifang, Hitomi and Mila from GAME, and Kasumi and Ayane from Amazon.

[31][32] Exclusive costumes for Christie, Helena, Lisa, Rachel, Tina and Momiji were made available via indie retailers through CentreSoft.

[34] Tokyo Game Show themed booth babe costume for Kasumi was released as a free downloadable content.

Hayashi said he wants to introduce more people to the genre and make them interested, hoping it might help to bring back the fighting games' golden era of the 1990s.

[38] Core Fighters features four playable characters (Ryu Hayabusa, Kasumi, Hayate and Ayane) and almost all of the game's modes, whilst additional playable characters (for $4 each) and the game's Story Mode (for $15) may purchased separately as DLC (Core Fighters is compatible with DLC costumes from DOA5, but comes with no free additional costumes[6]).

"[46] Hedi Kemps of Official Xbox Magazine wrote that "despite issues regarding its distribution method, DoA5 Ultimate remains a fun, gorgeous, and accessible fighter, made sweeter by the wealth of new content.

"[49] Ryan King of NowGamer gave the PS3 version a score of 7.5/10, adding that "shallow but fun" Ultimate "has packed in a wealth of content alongside its solid fighting game core for a low price.

"[52] Angelo M. D’Argenio of Cheat Code Central opined that Ultimate is a must-have purchase only for those who are still playing Dead or Alive 5, giving the PS3 version a relatively low score of 3.2/5.