Hard not to have fun with, whether you're a DBZ fan or not.
Dragon Ball Z: Goku Hishouden is a turn-based strategy game based on the popular Dragon Ball Z anime and manga, though you don't actually have to be a fan of the series to like the game. At one point, you may be screaming at the screen of your Game Boy that it's not fair, especially when you reach Nappa. At that point, the game seems to completely go against you. Still, the thought of an enemy having a lead on you due to impending doom that you don't see coming kind of works up the experience, and although it is turn-based, it can get very exciting sometimes.
Gameplay: 8.9
You may want to read the guide I made at strategywiki.com or check out the guide right here on GameSpot to get a better understanding of the gameplay. But I'll explain it briefly here anyway, just in case you're not into the thought of reading game guides of a game you don't even own. Throughout the game, you play as Goku and only Goku unless you're playing multiplayer. Multiplayer allows you to play against somebody else without using the Game Boy link cable because, you know, it's turn-based. But the main part of the game is the single player mode. You start at the end of Dragon Ball during the World Martial Arts Tournament, and end up at the beginning of Dragon Ball Z, where things get a little more serious. Each opponent has stats to mimic your stats: Ki, Battle Points, HP, and then there's the SP bar. The SP bar really isn't important, it just determines who goes first. Anyway, you have to basically choose your moves wisely by looking at the range of the attack, how you're facing the opponent, how much Ki you have, etc. Your goal is to get your opponent's HP down to zero, though there is one exception at the final boss of the game. Train with Kami or King Kai to boost your stats. Training is just a bunch of annoying mini-games, but it's something to do to give you a lead in battle. To sum it up, it's Dragon Ball, strategy style. I think we've seen enough Dragon Ball fighting games on the handhelds, and to see such a well-executed strategy game in the series is just something great to point out.
Graphics: 8.0
The graphics are great, and even better with the Super Game Boy and a Super Nintendo. The portraits and move stances look great, though there really is nothing else to show off in the graphics department.
Story: 8.5
The story is awesomely executed. Everything from the battle styles to the character dialogue is extremely faithful to the manga and anime. Fans of the anime and manga will appreciate this, while newcomers will admire the craftsmanship put into the story itself. Though the story stops kind of short, Vegeta is one epic final boss (including his transformation into Great Ape Vegeta) and that's why there's a sequel.
Overall, a very impressive installment in the Dragon Ball series. We've seen strategy games like this on the Nintendo Entertainment System, but never seen anything quite like it on a handheld. Heck, it's even better than the NES games themselves, and comparing consoles to handhelds, that's saying something.