Goku, the main protagonist of Dragon Ball, has its own date on the calendar: the Goku day. And it deserves it. Every May 9, his fans from all over the planet agree to celebrate his adventures and his best battles. Partly because of those puns that the Japanese are so crazy; but mainly because it is a world-class icon. For little ones, and for those of us who are not so small.
Akira Toriyama He reflected on his most beloved character his own fascination with martial arts and gave him two very special gifts: the innocence of a child and an unwavering determination. Traits that he has made his own and has managed to masterfully combine to earn a special place in the hearts of millions of readers, viewers and, of course, passionate about video games.
In Extra Life We could not be less and we have also proposed to celebrate in a very special way the Goku day throwing a Kamehameha of nostalgia into the air: we want to share with you the memories of four of our favorite games of Dragon ball. The ones we have enjoyed the most, those with whom we leave our thumbs and, ultimately, those who have a special value for us.
A decision that in theory should have been complicated, due to the enormous legacy of Dragon ball on consoles, PCs and even recreational with titles released over 30 years. And yet, it didn't take long for us to associate our memories with a specific game and a specific time. As simple and as unique as Namekian magic.
Then Sergio Cejas, Jose Garcia, John Tones, Jonathan Leon, and Frankie MB (the one who writes you these words) we have proposed to offer you generous portions of mamporros, kamehamehas and transformations through games that have fascinated us. Experiences that, after all, invite us to celebrate a very special day.
Sergio He spent very memorable evenings with his brother and the legendary SNES Super Butōden
The cover of the classic Super Butōden is not only spectacular: it radiates nostalgia!
Dragon ball always it has been part of my life and especially my childhood, but the truth is that in terms of video games there are only a few that have particularly excited me. Of the most recent I would stay with Dragon Ball FighterZ, which seems amazing to me, but I also have very good memories of Dragon Ball Z: Super Butōden
At that time when we were all playing Goku, Vegeta and others when we were little, having a Dragon Ball title was the bomb, especially this one that was the first to be launched in our market. And that is not that this game is the best there is, because its number of characters and settings was very limited compared to other wrestling of that time, but the truth is that playably yes it offered a wide variety of possibilities.
In fact, one of the most amazing mechanics he introduced was the one that made the screen would split in two in case one of the two characters strayed too far. The latter was essential to execute the most characteristic techniques of each one, such as Goku's Kamehameha or Vegeta's Final Flash, which made us witness a spectacular sequence in which we could dodge, block or return those devastating attacks.
There I still have it on the shelf with its box and its instructions, although I am not sure if Dragon Ball Z: Super Butōden would still be one of my favorites in the franchise if I played it again after more than 20 years without touching it. In any case, it was one with which I had fun, with whom I spent very memorable evenings pique with my brother and my friends and, after all, fulfilled its purpose to entertain me and that today I continue to remember him well, that ultimately in the early 90s we weren't as demanding as we are now with the quality / quantity that the games offered.
Jose is clear: Budokai Tenkaichi 3 has been and always will be the best Dragon Ball ever
Budokai Tenkaichi 3 was brimming with action and characters, even in his cover image
I recognize that the last Dragon ball I haven't been convinced yet, though Kakarot catches my eye Be that as it may, if I had to remove all the games from the franchise and stick with one I would definitely be left with Tenkaichi 3. I played it on PS2 and I have a lot of memories of it, mainly because I was playing it with my little brother and we spent the dead hours smashing our faces in the video game.
But beyond that, I think it was a very advanced game for its time and the console on which it was played. The visual was fantastic, the combos were visual and the mobility of the character in that 3D environment was spectacular. The range of characters was absurdly huge, 150 or around if I remember correctly, with a lot of transformations, mergers and others.
It was crazy to play with Gogeta and make the combos using teleportation, but what I liked the most were the final attacks and their animations. I remember that I was much younger than now and I remember being amazed when a console like the PS2 was able to offer me that visual spectacle.
For me, Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 3 has been and always will be the best Dragon Ball ever. I have always really enjoyed the Goku and company saga, and being able to play with all the existing characters so far just by buying a disc, without DLCs, and with so many game modes … It is that little else can be added.
John Tones stays with Advance Adventure, the game that focuses on the good stage of the series
Holding the game box is practically a return to the adventures of little Goku
It happens to almost everyone who Dragon ball childhood did not mark us because we already had hair in the armpits, but as good enjoy From the aesthetics of the spanking and the eternal recycling of the Monkey King legend, our favorite stage of the series is that of the boy Goku. It reminds us more of Dr slump (a series of Toriyama superior in all respects to Dragon ball), he has more of a sense of wonder and the characters are more interesting than that single row of super-powerful aliens the series became.
So for many devotees of the good times of Dragon ball (the first), the best game in the series is, without question, Dragon Ball Advance Adventure, a platform title for Game Boy Advance that thoroughly squeezes the hardware of the Nintendo console and focuses on the good stage of the series: Goku with a tail in search of Bulma, participating in tournaments and until the defeat of the cool Piccolo arrives, the bad guy like ringworm.
All in a platform action game context uncomplicated and with enemies out of factions often neglected by hair and testosterone obsessed shine shine: The Red Ribbon Army or Pilaf's minions.
With a frenetic pace and very varied design levels (there are phases of destruction of almost infinite enemy factions, others one-on-one and other areas at speeds that recall the efforts of Treasure for the console), Dragon Ball Advance Adventure It doesn't have that need for recent games in the series to function as trading card collectibles, characters, powers, and scenes. It is simply a good action-adventure game in a carefree context, well designed, with perfect controls and with the Goku of the tail. Sometimes, no more is needed.
For Jon, Budokai 3 was so huge that everything seemed possible
The cover of the PAL edition of Budokai 3 was already a declaration of intent: Dimps put all the meat on the grill!
I admit that today I am not too excited Dragon ball. It is not that I have anything against the series, it is rather that I was losing interest in favor of other shonen. Now, like almost anyone who was born two or three decades ago, as a kid I was obsessed.
I was lucky to be a fan of Dragon ball
The pikes with friends after school were constant. We even had our own meta-game made up of rules. For example, we set the "loading time"Because we were so fucked up that they attacked us while we were carrying Ki, so it was kind of like a timeout.
Also, although there was internet at that time, neither I nor my friends had a connection at home, so we were participants in all those urban legends about unlockable secret characters that then did not even exist. The game was so huge that everything seemed possible, and I have fond memories of it.
Dragon Ball FighterZ has become Frankie's "head game"
The intensity of FighterZ fighting is manifested from its own main image
You may more or less like fighting games, but Dragon Ball FighterZ It is a must experience. Arc System Works signature a love letter for fans of Goku and company. A game as intense as explosive that manages to capture all the emotion of the manga and the television series and, in turn, retains the spirit of each and every one of the characters. Everything with an exquisite treatment and an almost reverential respect.
And not only that, he dares to offer us a tailored story with a character created for the occasion and designed by himself Akira Toriyama. Although of course, the most fascinating are not the three original plots that we will address in the game as Goku, Frieza wave Android No. 18but the sensations that Dragon Ball FighterZ is capable of transmitting to command. And they are great.
The secret of your success? Add content at a great rate and bring together new fans, veterans and fans of fighting games in an experience full of winks, great details and cinematics that make the set transcend from the fanservice to the highest expectations of the connoisseur pickier.
Personally, Dragon Ball FighterZ has become my head game. That video game that I enjoy between one game and another and to which I like to dedicate my spare time. With whom I share marathon afternoons with games, pikes and laughter with my brother, as with that L'appel du Destin from Mega Drive, almost 30 years ago. And, in turn, share moments from your online with anyone who wants to discover or push their skills to the limit. Something very typical of the good of Goku.
What is your favorite Dragon Ball game?
We resist closing our review of the legacy playable Goku on consoles, PCs, mobile and recreational. In fact, we have proposed leave it open and give you the word, reader friend: we want you to tell us through the comments what your games have been Dragon ball favorites.
Because games that even today would be complicated to defend, how Dragon Ball Final Bout, They have had a very special role in our childhood and our youth. And why not? they still have it in our day to day.
What game have you enjoyed the most? What was your first video game of Dragon ball? What titles have you spent the most hours on? Each and every answer is good. After all, if there is a perfect day for us to share our favorite memories, that is Goku's Day.
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