This game can still hold its own against the next gen DBZ games of today. Please try this game out.
Graphics/Animation:
The graphics of this game is really good. It isn't as great of the newer games; however it gets the good done. The animation is smooth and teh controls are very responsive.
Story:
The story pretty much follows the story of the anime with a little twist. You can fly around to different locations to activate fight missions and search for dragon balls before you fight by using a dragon radar. Pretty straight forward if you already know the show. You have to play the story mode in order to unlock character specific special moves, ultimate attacks, and support capsules.
Gameplay:
This is were the game truly shines. The character roster is huge. You get characters from the beginning of the series all the way up to the end of the GT ark. You have your basic punch, kick, and ki button. You can use attack combos by using a combination of punches and kicks. You can also hold the punch and kick button to do a charge attack, which can go through one of two attacks. If you knock the your opponent backwards, then you can follow up with multiple teleport attacks. You can also teleport counter any attack as long as you have enough energy to do so. If you are low on energy make sure to regain energy by powering up. You powerup by holding the guard button and tap the down button twice. Energy management is important, therefore don't waste energy and make sure to keep your energy level up at a decent level. Using special attacks, the dragon rush, and transformations drain energy.
To use special attacks, ultimate attacks, and support items you have to use the customization capsule system. Each character has a the same number of slots and you can use those slots to enhance and change the abilities of fighter. There are transformation, ultimate attack, special attack, and support capsules. Some characters even have special support capsules that will activate a special transformation cinematic that will transform them into a special form when certain conditions are met.
The ultimate attacks has a cinematic flare like no other dragonball game. When you connect with the attack the cinematic mini game starts. Both players compete in a tug of war like mini game. If the attacker wins, then the attacker gets max damage and a flashy cinematic of his/her opponent's possible demise. If the defender wins, then the defender minimizes the damage and the attacker fails to complete the final attack in a flashy less painful way. Some successful attacks even destroys the entire area after a crazy outer space view of the destruction.
There is also a dragon rush attack mode, which is a rock paper scissors game that involves flying around, knocking your opponent in the air, and pummeling your opponent with mid air assaults until the victim escapes or suffers the finishing strike. Some characters even had a unique finishing attack that you can add to your customization slots.
There are also danger zones located around the stage. If you get knocked into a hazard area, then you will find yourself under a pile of rubble or flying into various structures. This is why it is important to master recovery moves, because you can avoid unexpected shocking moments like those. This addition was really cool, because it is another reason why it captures the essence of DBZ.
There are also beam clashes in the game. When two of the right blasts are shot at the same time, then a power struggle with start. This is another tug of war mini game that involves spinning the analog stick. You can tell who is winning by looking the screen, because the winning blast will over power and cancel the other one out.
The only problem I see is the fact that many of the characters has similar punches and kicks; however this is a small issue that will not ruin anything since each character's special abilities are unique.
Final Thoughts:
This game has so many great features that many of the next gen DBZ titles lack. The gameplay is fast paced, smooth, exciting, and easy to grasp. This game is so good that you don't have to be a DBZ fan to like it. The story mode also has great voice acting.
The story is a bit shallow; however the gameplay is what really matters.
This game deserves a 10 out of 10 due to epicness and well thought out gameplay. This game is the only game the captures the true essence of DBZ.