Dio appears in the PS3 fighting game as two separate fighters; the first being "Dio Brando" from Part 1 Phantom Blood, and the second being "DIO", from Part 3 Stardust Crusaders. This marks him as one of only three characters with two incarnations in the game, the others being Young/Old Joseph Joestar and Original/Kosaku Yoshikage Kira.
Vampire characters (Dio Brando, DIO and Vanilla Ice) and Pillar Men characters (Wamuu, Esidisi and Kars) can't fight on stages that contain sunlight. To play on those stages they need to be equipped with the Red Stone of Aja on the character select screen, which is unlocked by beating their respective parts in Story Mode.
Dio Brando from Phantom Blood uses the rare Vampirism Style as part of his moveset, which allows him to follow up on any number of his skills with attacks that let him steal small amounts of his opponent's health or even Heart Heat Gauge.
This is also the first piece of JoJo media to feature Takehito Koyasu as Dio's Japanese voice actor, replacing all of his other voices prior. Since this casting decision, Takehito has remained as Dio's voice actor for the anime adaptation, as well as future, related games like Eyes of Heaven and All-Star Battle R.
Dio has 900 HP. His moveset mostly comprises the vampiric feats he had done in the original manga.
He falls into the "rushdown" archetype of character, wielding high-speed mobility and a healthy mix of unblockable attacks, command throws, and high-low mix-up attacks to maintain an overwhelming offensive against a defending foe. His aggressive playstyle is compounded by his ability to freely cancel many of his skills into his dedicated Super Jump, rendering many maneuvers safe that would otherwise leave him vulnerable. Dio also has multiple ways to chain into his signature Vampirism-style abilities while attacking to rapidly take both his opponent's health or Heart Heat for himself. His HHA is a very valuable asset, dealing all of its damage in a single hit and striking at all ranges, allowing him to readily punish unwise actions regardless of distance and potentially inflict massive Counter Hit damage in the process.
Dio's core weaknesses are lower-than-average health to offset his Vampiric powers, as well as the potency of his aggression being affected by his foe's own familiarity with him. Without proper handling, placing him in high-risk combat scenarios can lead to massive amounts of health lost, and even with his Super Jump ability there are always gaps in his offense that a savvy opponent can exploit. Because of these, he must not make himself too predictable in order to continue taking the advantage of his formidable offensive potential.
As a whole, Dio is a extremely tricky, aggressive, close-ranged fighter. He holds the means to repeatedly assault his foe from multiple angles with few obvious openings for counterattack, and exert constant pressure until he finally bypasses their defense. Using his great maneuverability, he ultimately aims to get within melee range of his opponent and then continuously force them to guess how to properly defend against his physical onslaught.
Command List
Style/Specials/Etc
You worthless primate!
then //ON GROUND
A 'Super Jump' skill. Dio bounds higher into the air than normal, a move that can be used to evade attacks. Any skills marked with a diamond (◇) can be seamlessly chain into this ability, allowing Dio to quickly cancel them into the leap for both offensive and defensive purposes.
Aerial Chain Beat
//IN AIR OK
While in mid-air, Dio can chain his aerial normal attacks together in order of increasing power, much like any other character could on the ground. This ability synergizes with "You worthless primate!", allowing Dio to freely finish aerial combos canceled from his Super Jump with said normal attacks.
Punch right through you!
+ ON GROUND
Dio lunges forward and delivers a downwards strike that hits twice and knocks the opponent down. The second hit is a middle attack that cannot be blocked crouching. A command normal that can chain into any of Dio's skills. (Comboable)
Throw
You impudent fool!
2 ATK buttons at close range or ON GROUND
Dio grabs the opponent by the neck with one hand, strangling them, then forcefully throws them away.
Special Moves
Vaporizing Freeze [☆] [◇]
+ /ON GROUND
After a brief start-up period, Dio freezes his leg and strikes the opponent, freezing their body and leaving them vulnerable. The attack performed is dependent on the button inputted. (Comboable)
Light (): Dio delivers a high knee, and the attack becomes a middle attack that cannot be blocked crouching.
Medium (): Dio delivers a shin kick, and the attack becomes a low attack that cannot be blocked standing.
Frozen in your tracks! [☆]
+ ON GROUND
A counter. Dio mockingly gestures the opponent toward him, and if struck with a non-Throw/HHA/GHA melee attack in that moment, he will use a frozen hand to intercept the hit, freezing their body and leaving them vulnerable. (Comboable)
KUA! [◇]
+ //ON GROUND
Dio quickly delivers a high spinning kick. This skill has a follow-up attack. (Flash Cancel comboable)
5 or 6 broken ribs! [◇]
(After "KUA!") + //ON GROUND
Dio delivers two alternating knee strikes, staggering the opponent. This skill has two possible follow-up attacks. (Flash Cancel comboable)
Think you can beat the great Dio?! [☆] [◇]
(After "5 or 6 broken ribs!") + //ON GROUND
Dio finishes his assault by reaching forward with a frozen hand. If he grabs the opponent, he freezes them before uppercutting them high into the air with his other hand. (Flash Cancel comboable)
WRYYY!! [☆] [◇]
(After "5 or 6 broken ribs!") + //ON GROUND
Dio finishes his assault by performing a downwards double-hand slam, knocking the opponent to the ground hard enough for them to bounce. This move has a slower start-up period, but is a middle attack that cannot be blocked crouching. (Flash Cancel comboable)
You weakling!
(After ☆ ability) ON GROUND
This attack can only be used after any skill marked with a star (☆) connects. Dio follows up on his previous skill by plunging his fingers into his opponent and draining their blood, stealing their health.
MUDA, MUDA, MUDA!
(After ☆ ability) + ON GROUND
This attack can only be used after any skill marked with a star (☆) connects. Dio follows up on his previous skill by plunging his fingers into his opponent and draining their blood, syphoning roughly ~1/3 of a bar of their Heart Heat.
I'll suck you dry!
+ ON GROUND
Dio lunges forward and stabs with his fingers. If his attack connects, he will lift the opponent up into the air and begin draining their blood, stealing their health.
Heart Heat Attack / Great Heat Attack
Space Ripper Stingy Eyes
+ 2 ATK Buttons ON GROUND
Reassuring his opponent that they won't feel a thing, Dio suddenly fires high-pressure fluid from his eyes in a single-hitting, beam-like attack that will hit at all ranges instantly. As a successful Counter Hit doubles the damage of only a single initial hit, the damage increase to this HHA is massive compared to most other attacks in the game. Coupled with the attack's speed and range, it becomes an excellent tool for retaliation and punishment.
If this HHA is used to K.O. Jonathan, a special animation will play where Jonathan futilely tries to block the beams and whispers "Erina..." as he falls.
A cruel death awaits you!
+ 3 ATK Buttons, or ON GROUND
Dio lets out a shrill "WRYYY!!" and viciously dives forward with freezing arms outstretched. If he successfully connects with the opponent, they are suddenly completely frozen over in his grasp. He will grin and mock them for their weakness, before pummeling them ruthlessly with a barrage of punches and knee strikes, then unleashing an uppercut that launches them high into the air. Inviting them to oblivion, Dio finishes the attack by rapidly smashing his fists together to catch them as they fall, shattering their frozen body to pieces while maniacally chuckling.
Dio Brando playable (on all stages), Part 1 Another Battle, "End of Part 1" BGM, Part 1 Special Illustration, Glossary: Dio's Castle, Dire, Wang Chan
Special Conditions
The enemy's attack power is increased.
Secret Missions
1. Land a First Attack. (1000 G) 2. Land the "The Sword of Luck and Pluck" skill. (1000 G) 3. Win a round with a Heart Heat Attack. (Jonathan Joestar Publicity Art)
Entrance Dialogue
Dio: I'll wring every last bit of life out of you! Jonathan: I'll cleanse the world of your filth!
Victory Dialogue
Jonathan: You must be annihilated, Dio!
Defeat Dialogue
Dio: Come, JoJo! Accept my vampire extract, and become my newest slave!
1. Use the "You worthless primate!" special. (1000 G) 2. Land the "Vaporizing Freeze" skill. (1000 G) 3. Land a Heart Heat Attack. (Dio Brando Publicity Art)
Entrance Dialogue
Dio: I'll wring every last bit of life out of you! Jonathan: I'll cleanse the world of your filth!
Victory Dialogue
Dio: Come, JoJo! Accept my vampire extract, and become my newest slave!
then 
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ON GROUND 
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IN AIR OK 
+ 
ON GROUND 
+ 
ON GROUND 
ON GROUND 
