Super Dragon Ball Z

 PlayStation 2
  • Publisher: Atari
  • Release Date: Jul 18, 2006
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72

Mixed or average reviews - based on 31 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
6.6

Mixed or average reviews- based on 35 Ratings

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  • Summary: From the producer of the acclaimed Street Fighter II game comes Super DBZ, a new, highly intense DBZ fighting experience unlike any other Dragon Ball Z game. Super DBZ features an all new DBZ fighting system plus intense combos for super damage. With multiple unique special attacks andFrom the producer of the acclaimed Street Fighter II game comes Super DBZ, a new, highly intense DBZ fighting experience unlike any other Dragon Ball Z game. Super DBZ features an all new DBZ fighting system plus intense combos for super damage. With multiple unique special attacks and fighting styles for all 18 characters, Super DBZ gives players a more hard-core 3D fighting experience in the air or on the ground, complete with enough super-fast combination moves and dynamic battle scenes to satisfy any DBZ buff. [Atari]… Expand
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Super Dragon Ball Z Gameplay Movie 1

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 31
  2. Mixed: 16 out of 31
  3. Negative: 0 out of 31
  1. GamePro
    90
    The gameplay is where Super DBZ truly shines. From the first time you load up and play Super DBZ, you'll notice the game religiously pays homage to the Akira Toriyama Dragon Ball universe.
  2. PSM Magazine
    85
    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]
    All this publication's reviews
  3. PGNx Media
    81
    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.
  4. IGN
    74
    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.
  5. Game Chronicles
    71
    Had it had an online feature or the split-screen action of Budokai 3, the verdict would have been different.
  6. GamingExcellence
    70
    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.
  7. Gamezilla!
    50
    The problem is, most games of this type offer a significant price break, something that seems to be missing from this game.

See all 31 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 15
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 15
  3. Negative: 5 out of 15
  1. Kotone
    Sep 3, 2018
    10
    The cell shading looks fantastic given the PS2 graphics. The button combinations are very similar to Street fighter with a much appreciatedThe cell shading looks fantastic given the PS2 graphics. The button combinations are very similar to Street fighter with a much appreciated 8-directional movement mechanic. The inputs come out nice and crisp and the whole game flows very well. Its not to fast and none of the characters fell weaker or slower than the others. Its definitely a "new to fighting games" friendly game. One of the better old gen fighters I've played in a long time. Highly recommend.… Expand
  2. linvail
    Oct 7, 2015
    10
    No the best dragon ball z game, BUT is the best 2D FIGHTING dragon ball z game, fast and powerfull combos and each character feels different.No the best dragon ball z game, BUT is the best 2D FIGHTING dragon ball z game, fast and powerfull combos and each character feels different. I know that Budokai 3 has more characters, but they feel the same and the system of Dragon Rush is... Lame.… Expand
  4. OtakuFlame
    Jan 27, 2018
    10
    It's a shame this game wasn't popular, it is the best DBZ fighting of it's time overlooked because of it's small roster, limited game modes,It's a shame this game wasn't popular, it is the best DBZ fighting of it's time overlooked because of it's small roster, limited game modes, and difficulty to master with it's steep learning curve.

    Super DBZ is an attempt at a legitimate fighting game with some quirky aspects, like creating character cards and leveling up your fighters card with unique special moves and skill traits. I thought it was an interesting mechanic to me, for others this might not be as appealing and some players may be down right confused.

    Dragon Ball fans praise DBZ Budokai and Tenkaichi for the robust roster and insane super moves and how easy it is to just pick up and play, but what Super DBZ has is depth, an intricate combo system, and wide variety of characters with different character archetypes. Where the Budokai and Tenkaichi games fall off for me is that all characters play the same. You hit the same buttons for every character to do similar things and there is no difference in play style. Super DBZ has the grappler character Android 16, who wants to put fear into the opponent and try to open them up for a grab or a heavy string of strong hits into a super. They have zoners like Krillin who controls the area around him to make his opponent to approach from a bad angle to try and make an opening.

    Super DBZ has a ton of variety, and once you get past the skill wall you start to feel accomplished, you have a better understanding of the game, it's that feeling that gives the player the drive to play fighting games.

    PROS:
    +Tight Controls
    +Deep Complex Combat
    +Unique Skill Tree
    +Fun and Dynamic Combo System
    +Amazing Art Direction
    +Great Soundtrack

    Neutral:
    ≠Character Cards can be confusing
    ≠Game is technical and can be hard to understand for new players

    CONS:
    -Not a lot of single player modes
    -No in game tutorial

    In the end Super DBZ was a hidden gem overlooked and shadowed by the success of DBZ Budokai/Tenkaichi. It is an underrated classic and I still come back and play it with my friends with my friends since I discovered it back in 2014. I'd say to give it a shot if you're a DBZ fan or if you are a fighting game fan in general.

    Verdict:
    10/10

    P.S. Check out Super DBZ tournament videos on youtube to see what the game is all about.    … Expand
  5. AshokS.
    Jul 28, 2006
    7
    cool game.. fun 2 play.. 1 of d best these days when all d new games r dull!.. make more better games 4 gods sake.
  6. GreenSkullRider
    Mar 11, 2017
    7
    Siguiendo la estela de los grandes videojuegos de lucha como street fighter, KOF o Tekken. acá tenemos un muy buen videojuego de lucha realSiguiendo la estela de los grandes videojuegos de lucha como street fighter, KOF o Tekken. acá tenemos un muy buen videojuego de lucha real basado en dragon ball z. posee 18 personajes con algunos bastante únicos como gohan adulto con la espada z o milk (chi-chi). bastante profundo en técnicas y estrategia, aca se nota la carencia de personajes claves como ten shin han, yamcha, kid bu, super bu, ginyu, zarbon, nappa, raditz, garlic jr o dabura. carencia de ending o recompensas. esto esta basado en el arcade es un dragon ball exclusivo para los amantes de los videojuegos de lucha tradicional.… Expand
  7. bonnin40
    Mar 8, 2013
    7
    By the creator of Street Fighter 2, Super Dragon Ball Z is a really great fighting game that any fight fan can enjoy, and also adds in a veryBy the creator of Street Fighter 2, Super Dragon Ball Z is a really great fighting game that any fight fan can enjoy, and also adds in a very addicting level up mode for fans, where you raise one of the z warriors power level the more and more you fight, unlocking new moves, and adding an rpg element that i personally believe Dragon Ball Z games benefit from greatly. Even with the awesome powerlevels and well designed fighting engine, this game doesnt have alot of variety. other than a tournament mode, and a mode more specifically for your leved up characters, where you fight with each match opponents getting stronger, and your helth doesnt replenish, other than through the bonus roulette at the end of matches (essentialy a survival mode) this game doesnt have a whole lot to offer in terms of gameplay variety. On top of that, this game only has 18 characters, which is substantially low, considering they all control very similar, and with the exception of Cyborg frieza (which wasnt in any other dbz title at the time) this game really just doesnt have hours of fun and lots of unlockables to keep you playing. Regardless of the fairly low replayability, this is a pretty decent Dragon Ball Z fighting game that, while hated by alot of people, I find does what it does just fine, give the arcade super dragon ball z experience at home. no more, no less.… Expand
  8. MatheusJ.
    Sep 8, 2006
    0
    Man its bad. It is just like sagas I like Budokai 3 and Tenkaichi because it has a lot of characters and new sagas I didn't like it Man its bad. It is just like sagas I like Budokai 3 and Tenkaichi because it has a lot of characters and new sagas I didn't like it because it only goes to cell saga and it dosent have new characters because it only has one character that the budokais dont have cyborg frieza man it is bad i would like if it had all the characters from all the budokais and tenkaichi and even more new characters but wait the supreme game with all supreme characters is coming beware for the perferct ever DBZ game ever made wait for DRAGONBALL Z TENKAICHI 2 THE SUPREME GAME IS COMING… Expand

See all 15 User Reviews

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Awards & Rankings

66
#66 Best PS2 Game of 2006
53
#53 Most Discussed PS2 Game of 2006