Top Ranked Dragon Ball Video Games of All Time

Determining the best titles from the vast library of over 9000 video games inspired by Akira Toriyama’s iconic Dragon Ball manga and anime is no simple task. This challenge stems not only from a plethora of choices but also from the presence of numerous lackluster games that fail to stand out.

In 1986, Epoch launched Dragon Ball: Dragon Daihikyō for the Super Cassette Vision, marking the franchise’s initial venture into gaming. This early title, a shoot ’em up, never saw a release outside Japan. As Western audiences finally caught up to the Goku phenomenon a decade later, the gaming landscape has since evolved to feature nearly annual releases of Saiyan-centric fighting games and RPGs.

Amid this expansive portfolio, which titles can be considered the best Dragon Ball games of all time?

Updated February 1, 2025 by Mark Sammut: The list has been refreshed to reflect highlights of the best DBZ games along with a dedicated section for Shonen Jump crossovers.

30 Dragon Ball Z: Battle Of Z

Team-Focused Gameplay Just About Saves This One

Released in 2014, Dragon Ball Z: Battle Of Z did not exactly set the gaming world ablaze, earning a reputation as one of the franchise’s less favorable entries. Critics pointed to its clichéd storyline and overly simplistic combat mechanics as major flaws.

However, the title shows more promise on Sony’s PS Vita, where it boasts impressive graphics and smooth performance. Unlike many entries in the franchise, Battle Of Z emphasizes team-building and cooperative gameplay, shifting the focus toward assembling a well-rounded team rather than just combat. While superior Dragon Ball titles exist for PS3 and Xbox 360, the same cannot be said for the PS Vita, where it holds a more favorable position.

29 Dragon Ball Z: Attack Of The Saiyans

Decent Entry-Level Turn-Based RPG

On Nintendo’s handheld systems, Dragon Ball Z: Attack Of The Saiyans adopts a turn-based RPG format, injecting a refreshing twist into the franchise. While it offers a limited character roster and involves exploration, the game offers a more narrative-driven campaign rather than a series of battles, concluding with the Saiyan Saga.

While it doesn’t offer exceptional deviation from typical turn-based RPGs, the title serves as a solid option for both franchise enthusiasts and RPG fans alike. Within the expansive Dragon Ball universe, this Nintendo DS entry stands out as a unique experience.

28 Dragon Ball GT: Transformation

Even GT Deserves Some Love

Although Dragon Ball GT is often viewed as a low point in the franchise, it still retains merit, especially for devoted fans. The series attempted to blend adventure elements from Dragon Ball with the action-focused style of DBZ, struggling to maintain a coherent tone.

In terms of gaming, GT has been featured in several titles, but has primarily been relegated to two standalone games: Final Bout and Transformation. The former is widely criticized, whereas Transformation stands out as an average beat ’em up with its own charm. The campaign explores the Baby saga across different planets, featuring Goku, Pan, and Trunks as central characters, and while the gameplay is unremarkable, it delivers competent combat and appeals visually.

27 Dragon Ball: Revenge of King Piccolo

Reliving Goku’s Formative Years

Despite being released exclusively for the Wii, Dragon Ball: Revenge of King Piccolo has nearly faded from the memory of fans. Though it doesn’t quite match the originals found in the Origins series on the Nintendo DS, this title deserves credit for focusing on the early arcs of Akira Toriyama’s story.

As a straightforward beat ’em up with light platforming elements, players navigate linear levels while engaging in enemy encounters. While simplistic, the fast-paced combat can keep players engaged throughout its brief campaign. Ultimately, it appeals primarily to die-hard fans of the series.

26 Dragon Ball Z: Dokkan Battle

Something A Bit Different

As with many major anime franchises, Dragon Ball has spawned an array of mobile games, with Dragon Ball Z: Dokkan Battle and Dragon Ball Legends standing out due to their original narratives. Despite some skepticism regarding mobile free-to-play titles, both games exceed expectations.

Dokkan Battle introduces a unique concept by merging puzzle mechanics with traditional combat, encouraging players to strategize during battles. However, when compared to the best console titles, it doesn’t quite match up, but within the mobile arena, it holds its own.

25 Dragon Ball Z: Buyuu Retsuden

Mega Drive Alternative To Super Butoden

While the Super Butoden series enjoyed great success on the SNES/Super Famicom, Mega Drive/Genesis players had to settle for Buyuu Retsuden, a title that shares similar gameplay elements. This 1994 fighting game mirrors the original Super Butoden’s feel, but stands out with vibrant, eye-catching visuals.

Though modern audiences might find it challenging to revisit, especially due to the rarity of its European version, fans of the SNES trilogy could discover it as a delightful alternative. While its combat can be stiff and repetitive, it offers a unique story mode featuring distinct campaigns for each character, primarily centered around combat introduced by text.

24 Dragon Ball Z: Tenkaichi Tag Team

Tag Team Addition Cannot Save A Tired Formula. Still, Not Bad.

Dragon Ball Z: Tenkaichi Tag Team feels like another installment in the long-running series, continuing the same narratives while relying on outdated combat system. The introduction of 2v2 battles adds a layer of excitement, albeit not enough to rejuvenate the formula that has seen little innovation.

Despite being one of the less memorable entries among the Tenkaichi series, this 2010 PSP title shines in its portable adaptation of console gameplay. Spike successfully retained much of Budokai Tenkaichi’s control scheme while simplifying it for the PSP, delivering fast-paced, enthralling action alongside impressive graphics tailored for a handheld.

However, the game retreads familiar territory, merely revisiting the same well-known arcs. The Dragon Walker story mode’s appealing overworld is overshadowed by its formulaic approach. Meanwhile, its secondary modes serve primarily as fun distractions, acceptable for a game on the go.

23 Dragon Ball Z: Supersonic Warriors

Enjoyable Story Mode

The Game Boy Advance boasts a strong lineup of Dragon Ball titles across multiple genres, among them Supersonic Warriors, which fills the fighting game niche. While its mechanics may feel dated, they still provide an entertaining experience overall.

Much of its appeal derives from the engaging story mode, where developers have crafted an enjoyable journey through DBZ’s main sagas, along with unique “what-if”scenarios for each character, offering delightful surprises. Overall, its gameplay may not be remarkable, yet it succeeds in complementing the game’s strengths.

22 Dragon Ball Legends

In contrast to Dokkan Battle, Dragon Ball Legends offers a mobile experience that echoes elements from its console counterparts, while still being optimized for smartphones. Its alluring graphics and engaging combat system, which combines fighting with card mechanics, strikes a successful balance between accessibility and strategic depth.

This mobile title has continued to evolve over the years, adding extensive content. The story revolves around a new Saiyan character named Shallot, who grapples with memory loss, while 3v3 battles deliver a robust roster of characters acquired through a gacha system. Fans of the franchise will appreciate its engaging narrative and diverse gameplay.

21 Dragon Ball: Raging Blast 2

Fine Evolution Of Budokai Formula

Although the Raging Blast series is often perceived as a less polished alternative to Budokai Tenkaichi, Dragon Ball: Raging Blast 2 deserves recognition for its qualities. Effectively, it serves as a more accessible version of Budokai Tenkaichi 3, which can be seen as a positive trait.

With unique techniques for each character, the game grants players personalized experiences beyond the overarching narrative.“Galactic Missions”replace the typical retelling of the anime, offering isolated battles that explore various character arcs, from Goku to Tarble. While it might lack the depth of other Dragon Ball titles, it remains an enjoyable outing.

20 Dragon Ball: Advanced Adventure

Simple But Fun Adventure

Dragon Ball: Advanced Adventure presents an ambitious entry predominantly as a side-scrolling beat ’em up. While the Game Boy Advance is filled with titles in this genre, Advanced Adventure stands out as a competent and enjoyable experience for fans and newcomers alike.

In addition to its beat ’em up mechanics, the game offers a fighting mode allowing players to pit characters against each other, enhancing overall replayability. It emphasizes the original Dragon Ball narrative, making it a refreshing alternative to the usual focus on DBZ characters and storylines.

19 Dragon Ball Z: Supersonic Warriors 2

Not Quite Hyper Dimension, But Good Enough

Following its predecessor, Supersonic Warriors 2 emerges as both an advancement and a regression. The initial game offered a rich story mode with character-specific quests, while the sequel adopts a more linear branching approach, lacking the surprises of its predecessor.

Despite these changes, it significantly improves its core gameplay, making it a strong competitor for Nintendo DS fighting games. The sequel introduces additional playable characters and support figures to diversify the experience. While story-wise the original is superior, the sequel excels in overall gameplay quality.

18 Dragon Ball: Origins

A Proper Adventure

Dragon Ball: Origins draws attention to the often overlooked segments of the franchise. It champions adventure and humor rather than the intense combat typical of Dragon Ball Z, offering a different perspective on the series.

Structured into episodic chapters with solid visuals, Origins allows players to immerse themselves in entertaining escapades while retaining combat elements. The game’s sequel also provides a commendable experience, making the Origins series a noteworthy pick for fans seeking adventure-centric Dragon Ball titles.

17 Dragon Ball Z: Burst Limit

Style Over Substance, But The Former Is Impressive

Dragon Ball Z: Burst Limit stands as a somewhat forgotten entry in the extensive DBZ gaming lineup. While it was lauded as the first title for the Xbox 360 generation and generated significant buzz, it hasn’t maintained a positive legacy.

Part of this is due to its limited character roster and a story mode that concludes prematurely. Nonetheless, Burst Limit impresses visually, with remarkable in-engine cutscenes that were stunning for its time. The streamlined combat mechanics may disappoint some, but the overall experience remains engaging.

16 Dragon Ball: Shin Budokai – Another Road

Contrary to common belief, the Budokai series didn’t end with Budokai 3; it continued with ports for the PSP, one of which being the often underrated Dragon Ball: Shin Budokai – Another Road.

This game manages to deliver gameplay on par with the PS2 classics, making several enhancements to its predecessor. The removal of cinematic Dragon Rushes and refined Ultimate moves enhance the fighting experience. Although its storyline may not stand out amongst the rest of the series, Another Road offers unique story paths depending on battle outcomes featuring Future Trunks navigating encounters with Majin Buu.

15 Dragon Ball Z: Extreme Butoden

A Very Good 3DS Fighting Game

Dragon Ball Z: Extreme Butoden stands out as one of the top handheld fighting games within the franchise, attributed largely to contributions from Arc System Works. Initial appearances may be deceiving; while the game begins with a focus on Z Story, emphasizing major anime arcs through specific team-based fights, it later opens up to Adventure Mode, presenting a fresh narrative.

Although not a perfect title, it ranks among the better-fighting options available on the 3DS, making it worthy of attention from franchise aficionados.

14 Dragon Ball Fusions

Turn-Based Battle System Overstays Its Welcome, But Fusing Characters Never Gets Old

Fusions are a beloved concept in the Dragon Ball universe, yet few titles explore this idea as thoroughly as Dragon Ball Fusions on the 3DS. With a central premise allowing any character to fuse, the game excels in fan service and easter eggs.

This engaging setup provides players with endless possibilities in character combinations, creating a unique experience that resonates deeply with aficionados of the franchise.

13 Super Dragon Ball Z

Great Combat & Visuals, Mediocre Everything Else

Before Arc System Works reimagined the franchise, Super Dragon Ball Z aimed to adapt the series into a more traditional fighting game rather than the customary arena format. Boasting a selection of 18 characters and a combo-focused combat style, it emphasizes skill while aesthetic gameplay offers notable depth.

Although its combat mechanics are lauded, the game falls short regarding single-player content and unlockables, limiting its overall appeal.

12 Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot

Gorgeous Visuals, Open-World Attempt & Decent RPG Mechanics

Launched in January 2020, DBZ: Kakarot demonstrates that even with the main story told numerous times, new approaches can still be invigorating. This single-player RPG delivers an engaging narrative experience complemented by combat reminiscent of the Xenoverse series, albeit with a slightly simpler approach.

Its presentation is exceptional, offering the most compelling visualization of the DBZ story within a game. The side quests include clever nods for dedicated fans, creating an immersive gameplay experience. Though it has its flaws, Kakarot presents a robust gaming adventure worth pursuing for any Dragon Ball enthusiastic.

11 Super Dragon Ball Heroes: World Mission

Addictive Deck Builder & Nice Change Of Pace

In Japan, Dragon Ball Heroes has become a beloved arcade trading game since its 2010 launch. Western players had to wait until 2019 to enjoy the spin-off series through Super Dragon Ball Heroes: World Mission.

This title features a narrative where Dragon Ball’s existence as an anime leads to a real-world card game crossover, putting players in a position to collect cards of their favorite heroes to combat various foes. Despite its cheesy story, in-depth turn-based gameplay and extensive card collection make it a strong contender for the title of best Dragon Ball game.

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