Dragon Ball Z was my childhood – next with Yu Gi Oh and Pokémon. Sunday mornings were all about anime (even though I didn’t know what anime was at that time). So when Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot dropped in our inbox, I was hyped. The last full DBZ game I played was the Budokai series since my focus shifted to the One Piece (and its games). So let’s … go Super Saiyan!
Next time on Dragon Ball Z:
For those unfamiliar with Dragon Ball, let’s do a quick summary of what this manga and anime are all about!
Dragon Ball is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Akira Toriyama. Initially serialized in Shueisha’s shōnen manga magazine Weekly Shōnen Jump from 1984 to 1995, the 519 individual chapters were printed in 42 tankōbon volumes. The Chinese novel Journey inspired dragon Ball to the West and Hong Kong martial arts films. It initially had a comedy focus but later became an action-packed fighting series. The story follows the adventures of Son Goku, from childhood to adulthood, as he trains in martial arts and explores the world in search of the Dragon Balls, seven magical orbs which summon a wish-granting dragon when gathered. Goku makes several friends and battles villains along his journey, many of whom also seek the Dragon Balls.
Z-Time!
Dragon Ball Z picks up five years after the end of the Dragon Ball anime, with Goku now a young adult and father to his son, Gohan. A humanoid alien named Raditz arrives on Earth in a spacecraft and tracks down Goku, revealing to him that he is his long-lost older brother and that they are members of a near-extinct alien warrior race called the Saiyans (サイヤ人, Saiya-jin). The Saiyans had sent Goku (originally named “Kakarot”) to Earth as an infant to conquer the planet for them. Still, he suffered a severe blow to the head shortly after his arrival and lost all memory of his mission, as well as his blood-thirsty Saiyan nature (so far the comedic focus).
Gameplay
Kakarot is primarily an action RPG with fighting game elements. The player can battle opponents and do activities like fishing, collecting Z-orbs, eating, driving in a hovercar, training, and putting characters in soul emblems. All elements we love and know about the anime-esque games ranging from One Piece to Naruto. Keep in mind that this is not a Musou nor a Soul Calibur-kind of game. Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot plot follows the progression of the anime series, as you interact with the surrounding world as the different playable characters. You can explore the world and complete side quests to progress the story. For fans of the original series, it’s a trip down memory lane, covering the whole of the Saiyan Saga, the Namek Saga, continued with the Android Saga (where the player acquires their hovercar), and the Buu Saga.
Since this is the complete version, it includes a retelling of the Battle of Gods and the Resurrection ‘F’ storylines seen in Dragon Ball Super. In addition, a DLC original storyline set after the events of Dragon Ball Z: The History of Trunks, featuring Future Trunks’ confrontation with Babidi to prevent Majin Buu’s awakening (a scenario previously seen in Dragon Ball Z Shin Budokai: Another Road’s story mode and briefly covered in Super), is also included in this version (and was released in Juni of this year).
Kakarot…
For those who think you can only play as Goku, you are in luck! There are currently seven playable characters in Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot that the player will guide throughout the story. These include Goku, Vegeta, Gohan, Piccolo, Future Trunks, Gotenks, and Vegito. As the player progresses through the game, they will unlock new characters to play. In addition to the playable characters, the player will select two supporting characters to aid in their battle, each special moves. These current characters include Krillin, Yamcha, Tien Shinhan, Chiaotzu, Android 18, Goten, and Kid Trunks. And you can beat the crap out of iconic villains like Raditz, Nappa, Vegeta, Cui, Dodoria, Zarbon, Ginyu Force, Frieza, Android 19, Android 20, Android 18, Android 17, Cell, Cell Jr., Pui Pui, Yakon, Dabura, Majin Vegeta, Majin Buu, Super Buu, Kid Buu, Beerus and Mira.
Conclusion
So, to conclude. Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot is the perfect game for those looking for their Dragon Ball Z fix. Especially if you combine the great lore and gameplay with action RPG elements, it’s a great addition to the Nintendo Switch library. It offers a good amount of content for a reasonable price. Timmy called it the perfect Dragon Ball game, and I think it’s pretty close to being one. It offers something for everyone – and is even playable for those interested in Dragon Ball, without knowing the backstory.
