Dragon Ball is an IP that is popular not just among anime enthusiasts but also among gamers. Bandai Namco is a publisher responsible for many video games in the franchise.
Unfortunately, not all of them have been excellent titles that have gone down in history as timeless titles. With the release of Sparking Zero still a few months away, these video games should keep you occupied.
#7 Dragon Ball Z: Burst Limit
Fans of the franchise will remember the iconic Budokai series, which fans still consider timeless. Dragon Ball Z: Burst Limit was the entry to the Budokai series.
Released for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 and developed by Dimps. The game offered an incredibly gorgeous way to recreate battles from anime and manga. Despite being easy on the eyes, the game lacked real meat as it was released to mark the first release by the developer on the seventh generation of consoles, releasing only five months after its predecessor.
#6 Super Dragon Ball Z
Fans who played on their PlayStation 2 might remember Super Dragon Ball Z as one of the best competitive 3D fighting games. It was one of the only games at the time that focused more on action than on narrative.
It had a complex fighting input system similar to traditional fighting games like Mortal Kombat and Street Fighter. In short, the game was ahead of its time and was one of the foundations of one of our top picks on this list.
#5 Dragon Ball: Raging Blast
Widely regarded as one of the best-looking video games based on the IP, Dragon Ball: Raging Blast was one of the most incredible titles to grace the HD generation of consoles.
It had an impressive roster, including Vegeta Super Saiyan 3 and Broly Super Saiyan 3. This was also the game that first allowed team attacks. That is why, despite the game’s mixed reception, it is still the go-to for players who are into old-school games based on anime in 2024.
#4 Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2
The first game in the Xenoverse series was incredibly unique because it offered what no other game could manage before it. Players could create their characters and choose from Human, Namekian, Frieza race, Majin, and Saiyan.
Despite not being a massive improvement from its predecessor, the game allowed for more customization options and a more extensive campaign. The game also had a twist on the original story, similar to its predecessor, making it one of the most unique titles.
#3 Dragon Ball Z: Budokai 3
Dragon Ball Z: Budokai is widely known as one of the best 2D games in the franchise. Once again, it utilized a 2D plane like its predecessors. The game also had its small take on what-ifs, where a mishandled fusion dance or a totara throw could make for some intentionally funny-looking character models, just like the anime.
Being one of the most faithful anime recreations, the game also had incredibly replayable game modes and a fantastic roster. In short, it was everything fans needed then and probably more.
#2 Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 3
Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 3 is a title that took the entire video game community by storm, not just anime fans. It had everything from destructible environments to a fantastic set of modes, which had everything, and even online multiplayer on the Wii.
Sparking Zero‘s predecessor had everything that was needed at the time. A 3D plane for fighting, incredible camera angles, team battles, and fusions. Every character felt different, and every battle felt like a scene in the manga. Whether it was Shenron’s Gigantic Blaze or Gogeta Super Saiyan 4’s lightning-fast kicks, the game was an actual love letter to fans of the IP.
#1 Dragon Ball FighterZ
Despite all of the games mentioned here being worth your time, there is a reason why Dragon Ball FighterZ rises to the surface. The game took a unique approach as the real-time animations were all in 3D, but the fighting was in a 2D plane.
It felt like the best of both worlds, for good reason. The fighting mechanics made you feel like a god if you knew your stuff. The roster was incredible, and the cinematics felt like you were watching a UHD remaster of the anime.
It was on another level, and to date, it still reigns supreme. Even in 2024, it is one of the games that you shouldn’t pass on, even if you don’t know much about anime but like fighting games.
Those were our picks for the top video games based on the late Toriyama-san’s vast universe. Do you think we missed a game, or would you change the rankings? Let us know your thoughts on our picks.
