One more DOA Ultimate delay for Japan

It's déjà vu all over again: Tecmo announced today that the Japanese release of Dead or Alive Ultimate has been pushed back for a fourth time. Announced in late 2003, the online fighting game was originally slated to ship in March, then "summer," then October 7, then October 28.

Now, Tecmo says it has the absolutely final, final release date: November 3. This time, the company says the push back is due to production delays at Microsoft.

The limited edition Kasumi-chan Blue Xbox bundle package has likewise been delayed to November 3. It will include the game, an Xbox console with a translucent blue shell, an identically colored controller, the DVD player kit, an Xbox Live starter kit with one year of service, and perhaps most importantly, a life-size dakimakura or "hugging pillow" printed on the front and back with the image of the character Kasumi. Just a few more days and Xbox fans in Japan won't have to sleep alone anymore.

The US release of Dead or Alive Ultimate is still slated for October 26.