Top 10 Dragonball Z games

copyright: Dragonball, Dragonball z, Dragonball gt, and Dragonball super are owned by Funimation, Suiesha ,tv tokyo and Akira Toriyama

brevity and ethics: i have no association with these properties im just a fan

Dragon Ball Z has become a bona fide media juggernaut, with a sprawling empire spanning manga, anime, collectibles, and video games. So let's explore the vast and vibrant world of Dragon Ball Z video games, from the fighting games to the adventures, and everything in between. From stunning visuals to unforgettable gameplay, this galaxy-spanning franchise has something for every Z-fighter. So let's get our Zenkai boost and jump into the action, because there’s a lot to discover and discuss when it comes to the world of Dragon Ball Z video games.

1. Dragonball z: Budokai

copyright: Dragonball Z: Budokai is property of Namco Bandai

While not reaching the height of its successors like Budokai 3, the original Dragonball Z Budokai game is still a masterwork and one of the best offerings of early PS2 3D fighting games. The models are well designed and beautifully detailed, with the voice actors from the anime retaining their roles. The game came out just in time for the holiday season, giving gamers and anime fans a perfect Christmas gift. The game only goes up to the Cell Saga, which means you don't have to deal with a bunch of clone characters, with each fighter feeling unique with fluid movesets. 

While it's typical for most Dragonball games to offer a generic Budokai tournament, Budokai 1 takes things to a whole new level with the Cell Games Tournament. Instead of taking the concept of a tournament and using it in a run-of-the-mill way, the Cell Games Tournament turns the rules on their head, presenting a fresh and unique take on the classic format. You also get a game mode where you play as the hilarious Mr. Satan himself, trying to build up his infamous, albeit fraudulent, legacy and ending with his miraculous defeat of Cell.. somehow. 

2. Dragonball: Xenoverse: 

copyright: Dragonball Xenoverse is property of Bandai Namco

This is certainly not the first time I've endorsed the Xenoverse series, and certainly won't be the last either. Dragon Ball Xenoverse is an excellent fusion of fighting and RPG elements in a game for the Xbox 360 and PS3. Being able to create your own character and interact with Goku and the rest of the Dragonball world allows for a fun and unique gaming experience. The plot plays out similarly to 2's, except without the Time Patrol portion, as you assist in the main storyline.

Also, Xenoverse 3 when?

3. Dragonball Z: legacy of goku:

copyright: Dragonball Z legacy of goku is property of webfoot technologies and infogrames

Though the most popular Dragonball Z games are typically the fighting ones, which is no surprise for a popular anime series such as Dragonball Z. On the smaller side, the franchise saw a series of RPG titles on the portable Gameboy Advanced console, which was quite the surprise but a welcomed one nonetheless. With the small handheld console not exactly known for its RPG prowess aside from the Pokemon games, the RPG entries of the Dragonball Z series were surprisingly well done, packed full with charm and pizazz despite their size. While the first game ends at the Frieza saga, it was certainly memorable and a delight to play.plan to eradicate the sayajins

4. Dragonball Z: Dokkan Battle:

copyright: Dragonball Z Dokkan Battle is property of Bandai Namco

Dokkan Battle is a simple battle gacha game that follows the Dragon Ball Z series. It's fun and simple gameplay involves matching gems and performing combos to defeat opponents. You play as Goku or any other unlocked or purchased character, taking on enemies from the Dragonball Z saga with a team of characters and performing match attacks that cause combos. It's a fun and easy game that's perfect for long bus rides and waiting in lines at the dentist.

5. Dragonball FighterZ: 

copyright: Dragonball FighterZ is property of ArcSys and Bandai Namco

Dragonball Z and ArcSys are truly a match made in heaven. Arcsys's talent for creating fast-paced, small but somehow expansive hyper fighters like in BlazBlue or Persona 4 Arena was a perfect fit for a Dragonball Z game. As soon as news broke that they were going to be developing the game, fans could hardly contain their excitement. And when the game was finally released, fans were blown away by the fluid and beautifully crafted animations and fight mechanics. The team battles and hyper moves add a whole new level of excitement, making each fight unpredictable and fun.

The game presents unique features that elevate the experience beyond the typical fighter, like online 2-player fighting, 6-party player matches, and integrated RPG elements. The addition of a compelling story mode, that stays true to the official Dragonball canon lore, enhances the gameplay to an even greater degree. It's a great time to be a Dragonball fan with the variety of gameplay experiences on offer and the chance to explore the story in a whole new and intriguing way. Also, Majin Android 21 is hot as hell for real.

6. Dragonball Fusions:

copyright: Dragonabll Fusions is property of Bandai Namco

The 3DS is a stark contrast to its predecessors like the DS and Gameboy Advanced, having only two Dragonball games in its library. While the number may not be plentiful, the quality of the two titles more than makes up for it. Dragonball Fusions is a beast of its own breed, taking place within the Xenoverse series but not having the burden of retelling the established storylines. It has its own story, characters, and pacing, providing a fresh and unique take on the series.

Instead of following the usual re-telling of the Dragonball Z saga, Fusions decided to take the story in its own unique direction. You play as a created character who has to help his best friend, Pinch, create the greatest tournament of all time. The adventure takes you to new and familiar locations, encountering many of the popular characters and villains from the Dragonball Z universe, as you work towards creating a tournament to be remembered for generations. 

7. Dragonball Z: Kakarot:

copyright: Dragonball Z: Kakarot is property of Bandai Namco

It's time to make a trip down memory lane, back to the Saiyan saga of the Dragonball Z franchise. Dragonball Z Kakarot is a beautiful, HD retelling of the entire Dragonball Z story, told through the lens of an action adventure game with RPG elements, serving as a sort of re-do of the old Sagas game. You take on the role of Goku as he goes on an epic adventure through the world of Dragonball Z, fighting against baddies and saving the universe.

The game is an absolute blast with over 20 hours of content straight from the Dragonball Z universe, keeping you engrossed for hours upon hours of gameplay. The developers aren't stopping at just that, with regular updates and DLC planned, so your adventures in Kakarot's world won't come to an end anytime soon.

8. Dragon ball Z: The Legend:

 copyright: Dragonball Z the legend is property of Bandai Namco

The Sony PlayStation was an absolute beast of 90s gaming, holding its own among the titans of media and entertainment. Sadly, the PlayStation never really got its fair share of great Dragonball Z games, leaving a void for all you 90s weeb gamers. Thank goodness Dragonball: The Legend is there to fill that void and carry the burden of Dragonball Z games.

This game has the distinction of being the first Dragonball Z game to incorporate every single saga in the Z portion of the series. Starting with the Saiyans saga and ending with the Kid Buu saga, the game covers a vast amount of ground to give fans and players a comprehensive experience. The cutscenes seamlessly blend the use of early 3D models and 2D sprites to brilliantly animate and recreate some of the most iconic moments from the franchise, all optimized and fine-tuned to perfection on the limited console.

9. Dragonball Advanced Adventure:

copyright: Dragonball Advanced Adventure is property of Atari

Taking a quick break from Dragon Ball Z, we can look at some of the more obscure and lesser-known games in the franchise. Some of these games never made it past being exclusive to Japanese markets, while others were developed for consoles that few have heard of or tried. There's a wealth of games to explore in the Dragonball world, giving us an insight into other facets of this beloved franchise. However, one dragonball game did make its journey to the west. on the gameboy advanced 

Dragon Ball Advanced Adventure is a classic 2D beat 'em up game created by Atari Games. The game centers around Goku's origin story, taking place before the Saiyan saga. It follows his journey from meeting Bulma through to the end of the King Piccolo fight. The graphics and sprites are charming and fluid, with unique combos that add some flare and replay value. There's also a special replay mode that allows you to take on up to 30 characters in a single-player mode for an entertaining and nostalgic experience.

10. Dragonball z: Supersonic Warriors: 

copyright: Dragonball Z Supersonic Warriors is property of Bandai Namco 

Dragonball Z Supgersonic Warriors is a 2D fighting game that appears to have fallen off the radar for many Dragonball fans. While it differs from other games in the franchise like the Budokai or Xenoverse series or FighterZ, it has its own merits. The sprites and animation are well-crafted for a Gameboy game, with semi-3D backgrounds adding depth and texture. Each character has a unique story which is a twist on the usual Dragonball Z plots. Everyone has a what-if version of the sagas which leads to alternate outcomes for the characters.. i.e Android 18's story is her and the androids in a what-if version of the android saga that leads up to them killing Goku. All of this on the Gameboy advanced of all games.