Released in 2018, Dragon Ball FighterZ has maintained a strong presence in the fighting game community and among casual players alike. The game, developed by Arc System Works, features a deep gameplay system that remains accessible even to newcomers, partly due to its autocombo mechanic. This allows players to execute flashy combos, such as Goku's Kamehameha, without extensive practice.
While some special attacks require precise timing and execution on the D-pad or buttons, mastering these elements can lead to satisfying combat. Mechanics like Vanish Attack, Dragon Rush, and Super Dash facilitate quick approaches to opponents, a feature noted as something that Marvel Tokon's characters could benefit from. When combined with assist attacks, these tools allow players to feel like formidable fighters.
Beyond its competitive multiplayer, Dragon Ball FighterZ offers substantial offline content for solo players. Its story mode serves as a good introduction to the game's characters and mechanics, and players will want to complete it to unlock the game's original antagonist, Android 21. Arcade ladders provide increasingly challenging matches and are the path to unlocking powerful characters like Super Saiyan God Super Saiyan Goku and Vegeta. The versus mode allows for focused 1v1 or 2v2 matches, ideal for honing skills with specific characters.
The base game launched with 24 characters, and has since seen its roster nearly double through DLC, bringing the total to 45 combatants with the addition of Super Saiyan 4 Goku from Dragon Ball Daima. For players primarily interested in offline modes, picking up Dragon Ball FighterZ years after its initial release is a worthwhile endeavor. Although it still retails at full price, the game and its DLC frequently go on sale. The Legendary Edition, which includes all DLC, is currently available for $27.49 on PlayStation.
While recent years have seen new fighting games emerge, including the 3D arena fighter Dragon Ball Sparking Zero, Dragon Ball FighterZ continues to be a valuable addition to any collection, even eight years after its debut.