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Super Dragon Ball Z

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Super Dragon Ball Z
72
5.2 User Score:

Mixed or average reviews

Based on 31 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?

Based on 12 votes
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Game Info

Publisher: Atari

Developer: Crafts & Master

Genre(s): Fighting

Players: 2

ESRB Rating: T (Teen)

Release Date: July 18, 2006

Summary

From the producer of the acclaimed Street Fighter II game comes Super DBZ, a new, highly intense DBZ fighting experience unlike any other Dragon Ball Z game. Super DBZ features an all new DBZ fighting system plus intense combos for super damage. With multiple unique special attacks and fighting styles for all 18 characters, Super DBZ gives players a more hard-core 3D fighting experience in the air or on the ground, complete with enough super-fast combination moves and dynamic battle scenes to satisfy any DBZ buff. [Atari]

What The Critics Said

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

90

GamePro

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.

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90

AceGamez

The only thing holding it back from a full 10 is the lack of online play.

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87

eToychest

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.

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85

PSM Magazine

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]

85

Gaming Target

It’s a little more technical than Budokai, but nowhere near as technical as the hype would lead you to believe.

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85

Gaming Nexus

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.

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81

PGNx Media

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.

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80

Official U.S. Playstation Magazine

A robust fighting experience. [Sept 2006, p.81]

80

Gamer 2.0

Get your arcade sticks out, kids, this one's for real.

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77

GameZone

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.

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76

Cheat Code Central

Overall Super Dragon Ball Z would be [better] described as "slightly different" than "new and improved."

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76

GamerNode

Super DragonBall Z makes the most out of a sometimes overworked genre and will provide some hours of good old-fashioned fighting action.

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75

GameTrailers

A streamlined, fairly standard fighter that’s accessible, yet still very fun to play.

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75

PSM3 Magazine UK

As deep as a puddle, but a riot nonetheless. One for when the junior family members need a drubbing. [Sept 2006, p.74]

75

Games Master UK

Another quality slice of DBZ action, but a bit short on options for super-completists. [Sept 2006, p.75]

74

IGN

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.

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73

GameSpot

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.

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73

Da Gameboyz

Although it lacks some depth that other popular fighters have, one will still have fun with this game.

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71

Game Chronicles

Had it had an online feature or the split-screen action of Budokai 3, the verdict would have been different.

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70

GamingExcellence

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.

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70

GameSpy

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.

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70

GamerFeed

The custom card building and use of the Dragon Balls are excellent additions, making up for the lack of modes in the game.

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67

GameShark

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.

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65

PALGN

Super Dragon Ball Z has some fighting and DBZ, but there just isn't quite enough of either to go round.

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62

Console Gameworld

While a fairly decent attempt at a Dragonball Z game it does not live up to the legacy left behind by the Budokai games.

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60

Games Radar (in-house)

Once you've unlocked Mecha Frieza and have maxed out the skills of your favorite characters, the single-player modes are pure tedium.

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60

PSW Magazine UK

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.

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60

Game Informer

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]

50

Gamezilla!

The problem is, most games of this type offer a significant price break, something that seems to be missing from this game.

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50

Official Playstation 2 Magazine UK

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]

50

Eurogamer

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.

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What Our Users Said

The average user rating for this game is 5.2 (out of 10) based on 12 User Votes

Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Isaac M. gave it a4:
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

Dave B. gave it a0:
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.

Matheus J. gave it a0:
Man its bad. It is just like sagas I like Budokai 3 and Tenkaichi because it has a lot of characters and new sagas I didn't like it because it only goes to cell saga and it dosent have new characters because it only has one character that the budokais dont have cyborg frieza man it is bad i would like if it had all the characters from all the budokais and tenkaichi and even more new characters but wait the supreme game with all supreme characters is coming beware for the perferct ever DBZ game ever made wait for DRAGONBALL Z TENKAICHI 2 THE SUPREME GAME IS COMING

[Anonymous] gave it a9:
A very cool addition to the Dragonball franchise. Crafts and Master takes a different direction from Dimps and Spike and makes the game on it's own terms.

[Anonymous] gave it a3:
I think this was a big step backwards from tenkaichi. It is not nearly as fun. The move are really wierd. The graphics are worse, and the over all gameplay sux.

Ashok S. gave it a7:
cool game.. fun 2 play.. 1 of d best these days when all d new games r dull!.. make more better games 4 gods sake.

Andy M. gave it a1:
As assinine as everything else that has come out of this woeful franchise.

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