Summary
- Release Year: 1993
- Genres: Fighting
- Platforms: Super Famicom, Super Nintendo Entertainment System
- Developers: Tose
- Publishers: Bandai
Dragon Ball Z: Super Butouden (1993)
The First Dragon Ball Fighting Game
Released in 1993 for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES), Dragon Ball Z: Super Butouden was the first fighting game to bear the Dragon Ball license. Developed by Bandai, the game was a critical and commercial success, selling over 2 million copies worldwide.
Super Butouden covers some of the series’s key battles, from Goku’s battle with Piccolo to the Cell Games. The game features a roster of 12 playable characters, each with their own unique moves and abilities. The game also includes a story mode, which allows players to experience the events of the Dragon Ball Z anime from a new perspective.
Gameplay
Super Butouden is a 2D fighting game with simple controls and fast-paced combat. Players can use a variety of punches, kicks, and energy blasts to defeat their opponents. The game also features a number of special moves, which can be performed by inputting specific button combinations.
One of the most unique features of Super Butouden is its “Ki” system. Ki is a type of energy that can be used to power up attacks and perform special moves. Players can build up their Ki by attacking their opponents or by using certain items.
Super Butouden also features a number of different game modes, including:
- Story Mode: This mode allows players to experience the events of the Dragon Ball Z anime from a new perspective. Players can choose to play as Goku, Gohan, Vegeta, or Piccolo, and they must fight their way through a series of battles to defeat the game’s final boss.
- Arcade Mode: This mode allows players to fight against a series of computer-controlled opponents. Players can choose the difficulty level of their opponents, and they can also choose to play as any of the game’s 12 playable characters.
- Versus Mode: This mode allows two players to fight against each other. Players can choose to play as any of the game’s 12 playable characters, and they can also choose the stage on which they will fight.
Characters
Super Butouden features a roster of 12 playable characters, each with their own unique moves and abilities. The characters include:
- Goku
- Gohan
- Vegeta
- Piccolo
- Trunks
- Krillin
- Yamcha
- Tien
- Chiaotzu
- Nappa
- Frieza
- Cell
Critical Reception
Super Butouden was a critical and commercial success. The game was praised for its fast-paced combat, its impressive graphics, and its faithful adaptation of the Dragon Ball Z anime. Super Butouden was also a commercial success, selling over 2 million copies worldwide.
Legacy
Super Butouden is considered to be one of the best Dragon Ball fighting games ever made. The game’s fast-paced combat, its impressive graphics, and its faithful adaptation of the Dragon Ball Z anime have made it a classic among fans of the series. Super Butouden also helped to popularize the Dragon Ball franchise in the West, and it paved the way for a number of other successful Dragon Ball games.
Conclusion
Dragon Ball Z: Super Butouden is a classic fighting game that still holds up today. With its fast-paced combat, its iconic characters, and its faithful adaptation of the Dragon Ball Z anime, it’s a must-play for any fan of the series.
Review Score
8.5/10