Early 3D graphics are often considered ugly. Artistically, they are inferior to 16 and 32-bit pixel art, but I do have a fondness for low polygon models. The simplicity in their designs make them a bit abstract.
However, resolution is a problem. I can play lower resolution 3D games just fine, but I do feel like I’m losing something underneath the pixelation. Unless the camera is positioned directly in front of a model, a lot of detail is lost.
Dead or Alive 1 Ultimate on the Xbox is a case of an early 3D game getting a resolution bump on stronger hardware. Dead or Alive’s visuals were designed around its original limitations, so it has basic character models that overcome the resolution challenge. But the simplistic look still benefits the Xbox version. Everything comes off as clean, bright and colorful.
Dead or Alive 1 Ultimate only runs at 480p. It isn’t perfect, but it’s an improvement over the original PlayStation and Sega Saturn releases. PC emulation is often the best solution for playing these games at a higher resolutions, but I’ve never liked unofficial emulation.
