Top 20 Dragon Ball video games ranked

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Ignacio Weil

Gaming - October 9th 2024, 17:00 GMT+2

About this gallery:

Let’s be real, ranking *Dragon Ball* games is no small feat, but someone’s gotta do it! We dove headfirst into the sprawling universe of Goku and friends, handpicking and ranking all the video games from the *Dragon Ball* franchise—from the ones that left us shaking our heads to those that truly made us go Super Saiyan.

Remember, this list is totally subjective, so if you think we’ve committed an injustice by leaving out your favorite, drop us a comment and let the *Kamehameha* of debates begin! | © CyberConnect2

Cropped Legends — 20. Dragon Ball Legends (2018)

*Dragon Ball Legends* brings the fast-paced fighting action of the series straight to your mobile device, but with a twist—card-based combat. Surprisingly, it works pretty well! The flashy 3v3 battles feel satisfying, and the gacha mechanics for unlocking characters are addictive (though your wallet may not agree). It’s not perfect and can get a bit grindy, but for a mobile game, *Legends* packs quite a punch. Plus, with regular updates, it’s kept fans coming back for more. | © BNE Entertainment, Dimps

Cropped Shin Budokai Another Road — 19. Dragon Ball Z: Shin Budokai - Another Road (2007)

Ah, the PSP days, when handhelds ruled supreme. *Shin Budokai - Another Road* is basically Budokai on the go, with some interesting tweaks. The combat is tight, and it runs surprisingly well for a portable game. While the original story of Future Trunks versus Majin Buu isn’t exactly a masterpiece, the action more than makes up for it. It’s fast, fluid, and a blast for fans who wanted a solid DBZ experience while on the move. | © Dimps

Cropped Attack of the Saiyans — 18. Dragon Ball Z: Attack of the Saiyans (2009)

This turn-based RPG on the Nintendo DS is a bit of a hidden gem. *Attack of the Saiyans* may not reinvent the wheel when it comes to JRPG mechanics, but it’s a solid entry for Dragon Ball fans looking for something a little different. The story only covers up to the Saiyan Saga, which feels a bit limited, but the combat system is fun, and the exploration adds some nice variety. It’s not groundbreaking, but it’s definitely worth a look for die-hard fans of the series. | © Monolith Soft

Cropped Raging Blast 2 — 17. Dragon Ball: Raging Blast 2 (2010)

Imagine a simplified version of *Budokai Tenkaichi 3*, and you’ve got *Raging Blast 2*. It’s got plenty of characters, over-the-top battles, and flashy visuals, but it never quite reaches the heights of its predecessors. The combat feels a bit shallow compared to the complexity of other DBZ games, but for casual fans looking to blast through a few Kamehamehas, it’s still a solid pick. Just don’t expect it to hold your attention for too long. | © Spike

Cropped Extreme Butoden — 16. Dragon Ball Z: Extreme Butoden (2015)

*Extreme Butoden* on the 3DS brings Dragon Ball to handhelds with a focus on 2D fighting. Developed by Arc System Works, you’d expect it to pack a punch, and it does... to a point. While the gameplay is smooth and the 3v3 battles offer some variety, it’s a bit light on content. The story mode is short, and there’s not much to do once you’ve unlocked everything. It’s a fun, bite-sized DBZ experience but not exactly a game-changer. | © Namco Bandai, Arc System Works

Cropped DRAGON BALL ADVANCED ADVENTURE — 15. Dragon Ball: Advanced Adventure (2006)

Goku’s childhood gets some love in *Advanced Adventure*, a side-scrolling beat ’em up that focuses on the original *Dragon Ball* series. It’s simple but fun, with a nice mix of platforming and combat. The game’s charm lies in its throwback to Goku’s early years, with vibrant visuals and an endearing art style. It’s short and sweet, and for those tired of DBZ’s endless Saiyan fights, this one offers a refreshing change of pace. | © Dimps

Cropped SUPER DRAGON BALL Z — 14. Super Dragon Ball Z (2006)

*Super Dragon Ball Z* tries to do something a little different by leaning more into traditional fighting game mechanics, rather than the usual DBZ brawlers. Developed by Arika, it’s deeper than most DBZ games, with a focus on skill-based combos. Unfortunately, it lacks the bells and whistles that make the other games more accessible to casual fans. If you’re a hardcore fighting game enthusiast, you’ll appreciate the depth. If not, this might feel a little too bare-bones. | © Arika

Cropped DRAGON BALL ORIGINS — 13. Dragon Ball: Origins (2008)

*Dragon Ball: Origins* on the DS is an adorable throwback to Goku’s younger days, with a charming action-adventure format. The top-down gameplay, combined with touch-screen mechanics, offers a surprisingly solid experience. The game focuses more on exploration and puzzle-solving, which is a welcome change of pace from the constant fighting of most DBZ titles. If you’re into the original *Dragon Ball* series, this is a fun trip down memory lane. | © Game Republic

SUPER DRAGON BALL HEROES WORLD MISSION — 12. Super Dragon Ball Heroes: World Mission (2019)

If you love card-based strategy games, *Super Dragon Ball Heroes: World Mission* is right up your alley. With hundreds of cards to collect and a wild storyline involving virtual and real worlds colliding, the game provides plenty of fan service. However, the repetitive combat can get old fast, and the story is pretty cheesy. It’s definitely not for everyone, but if you’re a fan of both *Dragon Ball* and deck-building games, you’ll find a lot to enjoy here. | © Dimps

Cropped FUSIONS — 11. Dragon Ball Fusions (2016)

This is probably one of the weirdest, yet coolest, Dragon Ball games out there. In *Fusions*, you can fuse almost any two characters together to create your ultimate dream fighter, which is as fun as it sounds. The turn-based combat is solid, and the open-world exploration is a nice bonus. The only downside? The battle system can get a little repetitive over time. Still, the sheer creativity of the fusion system makes this one worth checking out. | © Ganbarion

Cropped The Legend — 10. Dragon Ball Z: The Legend (1996)

*Dragon Ball Z: The Legend* brings team-based battles to the PlayStation and Sega Saturn, which was pretty innovative at the time. It covers all of DBZ’s main arcs and offers an impressive roster of characters. The gameplay is a bit clunky by today’s standards, but back in the 90s, it was one of the best ways to experience the full DBZ story. Nostalgia aside, it’s still worth a look if you want to experience early Dragon Ball gaming history. | © Tose

Cropped Legendary Super Warriors — 9. Dragon Ball Z: Legendary Super Warriors (2002)

*Legendary Super Warriors* mixes turn-based strategy with a card system, and while it’s not everyone’s cup of tea, it’s surprisingly fun. The Game Boy Color might not seem like the best platform for a DBZ game, but *LSW* offers a unique gameplay experience. It’s slow-paced compared to other DBZ games, but if you’re into strategy and love the idea of collecting cards, this one’s got you covered. | © Banpresto

Cropped Super Butoden 2 — 8. Dragon Ball Z: Super Butoden 2 (1993)

The SNES classic, *Super Butoden 2*, is still considered one of the better 2D fighters in the franchise. Its combat was surprisingly fluid for its time, and the roster, while small, included fan favorites. While it’s a bit stiff compared to modern DBZ games, *Super Butoden 2* remains a nostalgic gem for anyone who grew up during the 16-bit era. It’s simple, but the fast-paced action still holds up in its own retro way. | © Tose

DRAGON BALL Z KAKAROT — 7. Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot (2020)

*Kakarot* is a love letter to *Dragon Ball Z* fans, retelling the main story in a sprawling RPG format. The combat is fun, if a little repetitive, and the open-world exploration is full of nostalgia-fueled side quests and Easter eggs. It’s not perfect, with some pacing issues and occasional bloat, but for fans wanting to relive the iconic moments of DBZ, *Kakarot* delivers a satisfying experience. | © CyberConnect2

DRAGON BALL XENOVERSE 2 — 6. Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2 (2016)

*Xenoverse 2* builds on the original’s character customization and time-traveling shenanigans, offering a ton of content. The story might be a bit all over the place, but the sheer number of characters and missions makes it worth the time. The combat is fun, though not as deep as other DBZ fighters, but the ability to create your own Saiyan and mess with DBZ’s timeline is what really sets this one apart. | © Dimps

Cropped Hyper Dimension — 5. Dragon Ball Z: Hyper Dimension (1996)

*Hyper Dimension* is one of the best 2D DBZ fighters from the SNES era. It had tight controls, a solid roster, and impressive visuals for its time. While it’s a bit dated now, it’s still fun to revisit, especially for fans of retro fighting games. The game covers all the main DBZ arcs and offers a challenging yet rewarding experience for those who crave some old-school button-mashing action. | © Tose

Cropped Budokai Tenkaichi 3 — 4. Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 3 (2007)

The *Budokai Tenkaichi* series is beloved for its massive roster, and *Tenkaichi 3* is the peak of that love. With over 150 characters and huge, destructible environments, this game is DBZ fanservice at its finest. The combat is chaotic but fun, though some might argue it lacks the depth of traditional fighters. Still, for pure DBZ spectacle, it’s hard to beat. | © Spike

Cropped Budokai 3 — 3. Dragon Ball Z: Budokai 3 (2004)

*Budokai 3* is still considered one of the best DBZ games ever made. The cel-shaded graphics, deep combat mechanics, and extensive story mode make it a standout interms of both mechanics and visuals. It’s a must-play for any DBZ fan, and it still holds up surprisingly well today. *Budokai 3* combines fun fighting with RPG elements, making it one of the most complete *Dragon Ball* experiences out there. | © Dimps

Cropped The Legacy of Goku 2 Buus Fury — 2. Dragon Ball Z: The Legacy of Goku 2 & Buu’s Fury (2003)

*Legacy of Goku 2* and *Buu’s Fury* elevate the action-RPG genre on handhelds, offering solid gameplay and a faithful retelling of DBZ’s iconic arcs. The exploration and character progression systems are surprisingly robust for GBA games, with each character having unique abilities and transformations. These titles remain fan favorites for those seeking a more story-driven DBZ experience. | © Webfoot Technologies

DRAGON BALL Fighter Z — 1. Dragon Ball FighterZ (2018)

*Dragon Ball FighterZ* is the pinnacle of *Dragon Ball* fighting games. With its stunning cel-shaded visuals, tight mechanics, and easy-to-learn yet hard-to-master gameplay, it quickly became a favorite in both casual and competitive gaming circles. Developed by Arc System Works, *FighterZ* combines everything we love about the *Dragon Ball* series—fast-paced action, cinematic visuals, and epic battles—into one incredible package. Hands down, it’s the best *Dragon Ball* game to date. | © Arc System Works

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The Dragon Ball franchise has produced a vast array of video games, spanning multiple consoles and decades. From classic 2D fighters to expansive RPGs, fans have seen Goku and friends fight across nearly every gaming platform imaginable. With so many titles to choose from, it can be tough to figure out which games are truly worth a playthrough.

In this ranking of the top 20 Dragon Ball video games, we’ll take you on a journey from the most forgettable releases to the absolute fan favorites. Whether you’re a fan of fast-paced arena brawlers or deep RPG adventures, this list has something for every type of Dragon Ball enthusiast. Let's dive into the world of Dragon Ball gaming and see which titles rise to the top!