Since its arrival in cartoon in the 90s in the West, the Dragon Ball franchise has created generations of fans of flying warrior fights with abracadabrant hairstyles.
And who says successful franchise says video games. Games featuring the characters created by Akira Toriyama are legion, and there are some on all platforms.
Where to start? Which ones are worth it? Which ones are best avoided?
We’ve got you on a list!
PS: There have been Dragon Ball games since the 80s. In order not to get lost, we have decided to include in this list only games released since 2015 and which are still available.
Table of Contents
Console and PC games
Mobile games
Dragon Ball Fusions
Dragon Ball Fusions is a turn-based role-playing game with action elements that allows players to merge key characters from the series to create more than a hundred new fighters.
If the game can become quite repetitive, fans of the series may have fun creating unusual combinations of fighters.
The game asks us to climb the ranks of a martial arts tournament, so there is violence. However, the violence is rather cartoonish and is not likely to disturb children aged 10 and over.
For 1 or 2 players simultaneously (requires two consoles and two copies of the game).
Offers paid downloadable content (additional characters).
Available on Nintendo 3DS.
Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2
In Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2, you create your own character and team up with the heroes of the franchise to protect the universe from villains who travel back in time to change the course of events in the original manga and anime…
It is a three-dimensional fighting game that requires you to explore wide scenery by flying and running to face enemies, which are often numerous.
The fights become repetitive, but the content is generous and the presentation is successful. A game that will charm Dragon Ball fans.
A certain degree of violence makes this game a better choice for teenagers.
1 to 2 players on the same console, from 2 to 6 online players.
Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2 offers a lot of paid downloadable content (characters, arenas, additional missions).
Available on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4 (Playstation 5 compatible), Xbox One (Xbox Series S or X compatible), Microsoft Windows, Google Stadia
Buy Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2 digitally for Steam PC on Humble Store
Dragon Ball FighterZ
Let us do in hyperbole a bit by claiming that Dragon Ball FighterZ is most likely the best game in the history of the franchise.
It is a 2D fighting game, where players compete on a vertical plane. It’s not just a good fighting game for fans of the franchise; some players compete in high-level competitions.
The extraordinary presentation gives the impression of playing a cartoon.
On the other hand, a level of violence a little more intense and a level of difficulty quite high make Dragon Ball FighterZ a game reserved for teenagers and adults.
1 to 2 players simultaneously (local or online).
Dragon Ball FighterZ offers a lot of paid downloadable content (mostly additional characters).
Available on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4 (Playstation 5 compatible), Xbox One (Xbox Series S or X compatible), Microsoft Windows
Buy Dragon Ball FighterZ digitally for Steam PC on Humble Store
Super Dragon Ball Heroes: World Mission
Super Dragon Ball Heroes is a special title; under the guise of a more traditional action game, it is actually a playing card game.
Players must build the best possible deck of cards in order to triumph over opponents. Elements of action during the fighting make the clashes more dynamic.
The game offers a good level of strategy and a lot of content for fans, but the graphics are slightly outdated, and the title is inspired by an arcade game practically exclusive to Japan, which limits its appeal on our pacific side.
Suitable for teenagers.
1 to 2 players simultaneously (but two consoles and two copies of the game will be required for multiplayer).
The only paid downloadable content offered by this title consists of additional music tracks.
Available on Nintendo Switch and Microsoft Windows.
Buy Super Dragon Ball Heroes World Mission digitally for Nintendo Switch on Humble Store
Dragon Ball Z Kakarot
Dragon Ball Z Kakarot is a mix between the Dragon Ball Xenoverse combat system and a more traditional role-playing game.
In this game, players are invited to relive the milestones of the Dragon Ball Z saga, while allowing them to explore the world of Dragon Ball and interact with its inhabitants.
That being said, repetitive combat and underdeveloped role-playing elements may leave the average player ice.
We would tend to reserve this title for die-hard fans of the series.
Cartoonish violence should not disturb children aged 10 and over.
Many paid downloadable content are offered (additional missions, additional characters, etc.)
Available on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4 (Playstation 5 compatible), Xbox One (Xbox Series S or X compatible), Microsoft Windows, Google Stadia
Buy Dragon Ball Z Kakarot digitally for Steam PC on Humble Store
Buy Dragon Ball Z Kakarot A New Power Awakens Set digitally for Nintendo Switch on Humble Store (includes additional content)
Dragon Ball Dokkan Battle
Dokkan Battle is a mix between a puzzle game and an action game; you have to make connections between orbs of the same color to trigger powerful attacks and defeat enemies.
The game also uses gacha mechanics, so named because of the popular gachapon machines in Japan, machines that sell figurines randomly in small capsules.
Players are therefore invited to try to win their favorite characters. It is possible to get them for free, but the game strongly invites us to put our hands in our pockets to get more powerful fighters and thus have a chance to progress.
Again, the level of violence makes this game more suitable for a teenage audience. In addition, the incentive to spend force, with mechanics close to gambling, also encourage us to advise against this title to a young audience.
Only 1 player at a time.
Available on iOS and Android.
Dragon Ball Legends
Dragon Ball Legends is an action game for mobile phones, whose action is designed to be controlled with one hand.
Again, this game uses gacha mechanics. You have to form a team of fighters, and you can unlock new characters using crystals. If you want to make sure you progress, you will be strongly encouraged to take out your credit card.
The same comments as for the previous game apply once again: the violence and the mechanics of gacha push us to advise against this game to children.
Only 1 player at a time.
Available on iOS and Android.
Which game to choose?
From the outset, we do not recommend Dragon Ball mobile games. True, they are free, but the mechanics encourage the player to pay at every turn, which can end up becoming very expensive.
The best title in the Dragon Ball franchise is undoubtedly Dragon Ball FighterZ. The presentation is exceptional, and the dynamic and polished combat system makes this game appealing even for those who are not necessarily fans of the franchise. In addition, FighterZ is already a few years old, and Bandai Namco, the publisher, often offers it at a discount. It’s worth monitoring sales.
If your child is a finite fan of Dragon Ball and everything related to it, Xenoverse 2 offers a ton of characters and a lot of content to satisfy the addicts of the franchise. Since this is a game that is already several years old (although it continues to receive new content!), it is also possible to find it at an affordable price.
