• Publisher: Atari
  • Release Date: Jul 18, 2006
Metascore
72 out of 100

Mixed or average reviews - based on 31 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 31
  2. Negative: 0 out of 31
  1. The only thing holding it back from a full 10 is the lack of online play.
  2. 90
    The gameplay is where Super DBZ truly shines. From the first time you load up and play Super DBZ, you'll notice the game religiously pays homage to the Akira Toriyama Dragon Ball universe.
  3. Super Dragon Ball Z takes the best elements of Akira Toriyama's Dragon Ball universe and meshes them with solid fighting mechanics to deliver a one-two punch that all fighting game fans should enjoy.
  4. The game's developer has made fighting, not story, the main focus, so you're going to be spending most of your time beating up your opponents and not scrolling through boring plot descriptions. [Sep 2006, p.84]
  5. There's enough over-the-top action in Super Dragon Ball Z to make this an easy game to recommend for fans of the series, unfortunately fans of modern 3D fighting games may want to look elsewhere for their fix.
  6. It's a little more technical than Budokai, but nowhere near as technical as the hype would lead you to believe.
  7. Probably the finest DBZ fighting title in terms of pure gameplay. The game takes obvious inspiration from new and classic fighters and successfully plugs it into the DBZ formula. However, with the increased focus on technical gameplay, some of the flash found in the Budokai titles is missing.
  8. A robust fighting experience. [Sept 2006, p.81]
  9. Get your arcade sticks out, kids, this one's for real.
  10. It's repetitive, and a lot like the other Dragonball Z games out there. But if you love them, you'll enjoy this – and if you haven't played the series before, Super DBZ is an easy way to enter.
  11. Overall Super Dragon Ball Z would be [better] described as "slightly different" than "new and improved."
  12. Super DragonBall Z makes the most out of a sometimes overworked genre and will provide some hours of good old-fashioned fighting action.
  13. Another quality slice of DBZ action, but a bit short on options for super-completists. [Sept 2006, p.75]
  14. As deep as a puddle, but a riot nonetheless. One for when the junior family members need a drubbing. [Sept 2006, p.74]
  15. A streamlined, fairly standard fighter that's accessible, yet still very fun to play.
  16. 74
    Designed to appeal to traditional fighting fans before anime nuts, its strengths lay more to the thinking player's side of things rather than the casual. Had it boasted a larger move set and perhaps a few more playable characters, then its value as a long-term tournament title might have been higher.
  17. Although it lacks some depth that other popular fighters have, one will still have fun with this game.
  18. Super Dragon Ball Z doesn't have the depth of the serious fighting games it patterns itself after, providing an experience that is hardly any more technical than certain past DBZ fighters, and without the exceedingly over-the-top charm that has been a series hallmark.
  19. Had it had an online feature or the split-screen action of Budokai 3, the verdict would have been different.
  20. It may start out as a fighter without much depth but if players are willing to take the time to level up characters and acquire new abilities, the game is a lot of fun.
  21. 70
    There aren't as many playable characters as we'd like, and the visuals really aren't up to snuff, but the voice actors from the series bring the characters to life, and there's plenty to unlock and accomplish. Best of all, it's good fun for head-to-head competition.
  22. The custom card building and use of the Dragon Balls are excellent additions, making up for the lack of modes in the game.
  23. One gorgeous looking game and would be hard to find a 3D fighter with a more pleasing style anywhere else but there just isn't enough meat found in the game to sink your teeth into and keep it playable over and over.
  24. 65
    Super Dragon Ball Z has some fighting and DBZ, but there just isn't quite enough of either to go round.
  25. While a fairly decent attempt at a Dragonball Z game it does not live up to the legacy left behind by the Budokai games.
  26. Once you've unlocked Mecha Frieza and have maxed out the skills of your favorite characters, the single-player modes are pure tedium.
  27. To get the most out of Super DBZ you need to be willing to spend hours and hours plumbing the depths of the combo system and mastering every character. Beyond that, there's just not enough to do here.
  28. Unfortunately, it still isn't very good. The fighting system remains pretty simplistic and feels like it was awkwardly transplanted from 2D into 3D space. [Sept. 2006, p.92]
  29. While the Budokai series may not have enjoyed the universal appeal of more traditional brawlers, it did at least give the games their own unique identity. In sacrificing that, Super Dragon Ball Z becomes just another paint-by-numbers 3D fighter, sitting alongside the likes of "Battle Arena Toshinden" and "Star Gladiator" in the ranks of the also-rans.
  30. Its colorful looks may appeal to younger gamers, but Super DBZ is too limited in every department to attract interest from anyone else. [Aug 2006, p.93]
  31. The problem is, most games of this type offer a significant price break, something that seems to be missing from this game.
User Score

Mixed or average reviews- based on 14 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 8
  3. Negative: 5 out of 8
  1. This game get a lot of hate for no reason whatsoever. Yes you can't zoom around the landscape or spam teleports and massive fireballs. There are plenty of other fighter games that allow you to do that. This is more of a technical fighting game for the universe. Noritaka Funamizu from Street Fighter 2 provided input, and you can really tell. It feels more like an SF2 EX fighting game, than a Budokai one. That isn't necessarily a bad thing, but certainly not for everyone. Full Review »
  2. IsaacM.
    4
    Old school fighting that really isn't that good does nothing to replicate the dragon ball world DBZ Budokai 3 was the pinnacle and the most faithful of fighting engines to the anime, this is a major step backwards the creators should hang their heads in shame Full Review »
  3. DaveB.
    0
    This game is so stupid, seriously. The fighting styles are wierd and the powers are wack. Also, the graphics suck and the worst thing about it is that there are only 18 characters, what's up with that. Full Review »