Super Dragon Ball Z

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

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.

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]

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

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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

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

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]

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.

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]

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.