Dragon Ball games are nothing new in the modern gaming realms, especially for gamers who love the thrilling action of Goku and his friends in high-octane battles. However, off Dragon Ball Fighting games are a rare breed of game that pushes a franchise to its limits: Dragon Ball role playing games. Instead of relying on matches where Goku defeats villains to advance from one arc to the next, some Dragon Ball RPGs give the franchise a spin with new mechanics that provide better context to the world Dragon Ball has to offer.
The best Dragon Ball games of all time, ranked
From Budokai to FighterZ, here are the best Dragon Ball games ever made, ranked by fun, depth, and how well they capture the spirit of the anime.
Instead of traditional turn-based RPG mechanics, many Dragon Ball RPGs introduce new combat mechanics such as cards, characters within cards along with stat progression, ability unlocks and even fully customizable characters. Between games though Dragon Ball offerings in the RPG genre that stand out the most?
8
Dragon Ball Z: Super Saiyan Densetsu
An early card-based RPG with excellent graphics
Although it was only released in Japan (but there are fan translations), Dragon Ball Z: Super Saiyan Densetsu is classified as a remake of two earlier titles for the Super Famicon. The game takes the player through the sagas of Vegeta, Namek, and Frieza, featuring the multi-colored Saibamen and recolored henchmen Ginyu Force and Frieza as regular enemies.
The battle system consists of randomly regenerated cards (with additional cards that allow swapping) with values that determine the order in which they are played (Attack) and their defensive strength (Defense). Unlike previous games, Super Saiyan Densetsu it stands out by trying to use regular-sized sprites for movement, while the card attacks also have unique animations. Dragon Ball fans looking for the perfect retro experience without the typical fighting action will appreciate this title.
7
Dragon Ball Z: Harukanaru Densetsu
Updated Take On A Card-Game RPG Classic
Basically a modernized look Super Saiyan Densetsucard mechanics, Dragon Ball Z: Harukanaru Densetsu for Nintendo DS is a refreshing nostalgic trip that features innovative card game mechanics and adds a strategic spin to the often intense Dragon Ball is fighting
Harukanaru Densetsu has a story arc that takes place from the Saiyan saga to the Cell Games saga where players can use Goku, Gohan, Piccolo or Vegeta for their gameplay. Similar to its inspiration, cards are used, but this time they can be combined to gain increased power or defense, as well as cards that increase the stats of other cards, item cards with unique effects, and counter cards that exchange abilities. Players still navigate the board game world and trigger story events and battles.
6
Super Dragon Ball Heroes: World Mission
A switch port that comes with a unique story mode
While technically it is a switch port Super Dragon Ball Heroesgameplay in Super Dragon Ball Heroes: World Mission it has unique characters along with its own story mode. The game uses a turn-based card battle system that can facilitate up to 7v7 battles Dragon Ball characters. The premise is that the player character goes to Hero Town and hopes to become the best player of “Dragon Ball Heroes”, an arcade game that takes place in Dragon Ball world.
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It makes the fight World Mission such a fun thing to do. As it tries to replicate an actual card game, players also choose up to seven fighters to switch on and off during fights. While there isn't a lot of intense button mashing to be done, players need to power up their fighters and understand their synergies—they need to know which characters complement each other, which transformations to use, when to let characters rest, and when to unleash their strongest moves.
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5
Dragon Ball Z: Buu's Fury
One of the most accessible RPGs on classic consoles
It serves as the third and final item in the Legacy of Goku a trilogy of titles for the Game Boy Advance, Dragon Ball Z: Buu's Fury takes the player through the fight against Majin Buu until shortly after defeating him. Similar to its sibling titles, Buu's Fury is an adventure RPG where players control Z-Fighters as they travel across various recognizable landscapes. They can fight in close quarters, unleash Ki Blasts or use unique techniques, this time with a proper skill allocation system to really make the game feel like a full RPG.
Although it has essentially the same mechanics as Legacy of Goku 2, Dragon Ball Z: Buu's Fury it has new features that make it one of the most affordable Dragon Ball action RPG of the time. Everyone can use and deflect Ki Blasts, the Scouter can view the map and get information on others, and there are more sources for items (enemies, Z-Mart).
4
Dragon Ball Fusions
It boasts a Wild Dragon Ball story with Fusions
Despite the chibified appearance of most of her characters, Dragon Ball Fusions has some of the most interesting mechanics ever and The name Dragon Ball — namelyemphasis on Fusions. In the game, players take control of Tekka as they and their rival Pinich wish for the “greatest martial arts tournament”, resulting in parallel dimensions and different timelines coming together, complete with various game-exclusive forms of fusion.
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Battles in this time-space tournament take place in a circular arena where units take turns in actions (Melee Attack, Ki Attack, Zenkai Attacks, Ultra Fusion, Fusion, etc.) that take down enemies on the battlefield. Combos occur when an enemy lunges at an ally, making fights a strategic battle. Fighters must be placed carefully to engage the enemies in a satisfying game of ping pong.
3
Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2
Experience high-octane Dragon Ball battles with your own character to save the Multiverse
Players who have already experienced Dragon Ball: Xenoverse can look Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2 as a more straightforward sequel, but newcomers to the game will see it as an expansive action RPG that deserves to be a standalone title. While most of the gameplay takes place in traditional combat, skill progressions and unlocks ensure that characters are given enough customized control to play as an RPG, especially when players create their own Time Patroller, tasked with saving Dragon Ball's past and future in Conton City.
After creating their character, players can experience a warped story mode Dragon Ball timeline complete with Parallel Quests (alternate storylines) that unlock moves to refine their character's playstyle. The myriad of options available make each playthrough unique to each character, while providing plenty of multiplayer excitement should players want a change of pace.
2
Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot
A combat RPG set in a vast open world with multiple timelines
Due to nature Dragon Ball anime, it's no surprise that most of its games are focused on the fighting genre. That's what he does Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot a breath of fresh air as it offers an elaborate open world fighting game experience and adds more depth to a world that is often only seen in the background. As the name suggests, Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot allows players to assume the role of Goku and replay the entire story DBZ series, from the Saiyan Saga to the Majin Buu Saga (with Super Saiyan God and Golden Frieza unlocked via DLC).
The game also adds a new lore, offering a vast semi-open world where players can briefly switch to other characters (via Intermission), gain stat boosts (Cooking) through various minigames (Hunting, Fishing, Base Destruction, Training Exercises), and gain access to various collectibles (Z-Orbs, Time Orbs, D-Medals).
1
Dragon Ball Z: Attack Of The Saiyans
Take control of the original Z fighters in a turn-based game
Released in 2009 for the Nintendo DS, Dragon Ball Z: Attack of the Saiyans is often the game one imagines whenever one thinks of something Dragon Ball “RPG.” Set between the 23rd Tenkaichi Budokai and the Saiyan Saga anime, Attack of the Saiyans is a turn-based RPG that allows players to control Goku and the original Z-Fighters as they compete in a tournament and eventually battle Vegeta and Nappa. This in turn made the game a convincing demonstration of the Z-Fighters original abilities that went beyond the need for Super Saiyans to help.
game room, Attack of the Saiyans takes full advantage of the dual screen feature of the DS. The bottom screen serves as storage for tools and gadgets during exploration, while it serves as the main combat menu during combat. The game is played across the Dragon World map, 2.5D area maps and in battle mode. Players form groups of three using swappable characters and earn ability points that can be used to purchase or upgrade skills. The Rage Gauge can activate Sparking mode, which gives access to a character's ultimate attack or a Sparking combo.
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