Standard Edition: PlayStation ($59.99) | Xbox ($59.99) | Nintendo Switch ($59.99) | Windows ($59.99)
Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot Deluxe Edition: PlayStation ($84.99) | Xbox ($84.99) | Nintendo Switch ($74.99) | Windows ($84.99)
Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot Legendary Edition: PlayStation ($119.99) | Xbox ($119.99) | Nintendo Switch ($109.99) | Windows ($119.99)
Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot (Japanese: ドラゴンボールZ カカロット, Doragon Bōru Zetto Kakarotto) is an action role-playing video game that was developed by CyberConnect2 and published by Bandai Namco Entertainment. It is intricately woven into the expansive tapestry of the Dragon Ball franchise, drawing upon its rich narrative and characters. The game made its initial debut in January 2020, gracing the gaming platforms of PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Windows. Subsequent releases expanded its reach, with the Nintendo Switch version launching in September 2021, followed by a Stadia release in October 2021. The gaming experience was further enhanced for next-generation console enthusiasts, as the title became available on PlayStation 5 in January 2023 and Xbox Series X/S in February 2023.
At its core, Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot invites players to traverse the captivating journey of its central protagonist, Goku, and the valiant Z-Fighters. This odyssey encompasses the pivotal events and narratives of the beloved Dragon Ball Z anime, seamlessly interwoven with original storylines and moments unique to the game's universe.
Critics' voices harmonized in a chorus of mixed reviews during the game's initial release, reflecting a diverse range of opinions on its merits and shortcomings. Nevertheless, Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot managed to achieve a notable milestone in the gaming realm, boasting global sales that exceeded 4.5 million copies by December 2021.
Gameplay
Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot is an action role-playing game enriched with elements from fighting games. Within this immersive gaming experience, players engage in battles against adversaries and partake in various activities such as fishing, collecting Z orbs, dining, maneuvering a hover car, training, and arranging characters within soul emblems. The game's narrative aligns closely with the storyline of the anime series, allowing players to interact with the expansive world through a range of playable characters. The gameplay includes exploration, undertaking side quests, and advancing the overarching plot, which is divided into four distinctive storylines: the Saiyan Saga, the Frieza Saga, the Cell Saga (where the player obtains a hover car), and the Buu Saga.
Additional narrative content, in the form of bonus storylines, is accessible as downloadable content. This encompasses a reimagining of the Battle of Gods and Resurrection 'F' narratives featured in Dragon Ball Super, alongside a DLC-exclusive storyline set after the events of Dragon Ball Z: The History of Trunks. This unique storyline revolves around Future Trunks' confrontation with Babidi as he strives to thwart the awakening of Majin Buu. The DLC was introduced on June 11, 2021.
A total of seven playable characters guide players through Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot's unfolding tale. These prominent figures include Goku, Vegeta, Gohan, Piccolo, Future Trunks, Gotenks, and Vegito. As the game advances, players unlock additional characters to expand their roster.
Furthermore, players have the option to choose two supportive characters, each endowed with distinct special abilities, to aid them in battles. Among these supportive characters are Krillin, Yamcha, Tien Shinhan, Chiaotzu, Android 18, Goten, and Kid Trunks.
The game's formidable roster of in-game bosses features a host of iconic villains and adversaries from the Dragon Ball universe. Noteworthy opponents include Raditz, Nappa, Vegeta, Cui, Dodoria, Zarbon, Ginyu Force, Frieza, Android 19, Android 20, Android 18, Android 17, Cell, Cell Jr., Pui Pui, Yakon, Dabura, Majin Vegeta, Majin Buu, Super Buu, Kid Buu, Beerus, and Mira. Additionally, a novel character named Bonyū (ボニュー), conceived by Dragon Ball's creator Akira Toriyama specifically for the game, makes an appearance as a formidable boss.
Development
The unveiling of the game took place in January 2019, showcased through a trailer presented during the Dragon Ball FighterZ World Tour Finals. At that time, it bore the provisional moniker of "Dragon Ball Game: Project Z." This forthcoming entry into the gaming realm was classified as an action role-playing game, with development duties entrusted to CyberConnect2. This studio boasts a noteworthy portfolio including titles like Asura's Wrath and the Naruto Ultimate Ninja series. Platforms designated for the release encompassed the PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC via Steam platform.
Initially, the game's anticipated release window centered on the year 2019. However, pivotal announcements were unveiled during Microsoft's 2019 E3 conference. This included the game's definitive title, now christened "Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot," along with a new release timeframe slated for early 2020.
Subsequently, the game's launch timeline materialized. Its introduction commenced with a January 16 debut for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One in Japan, closely followed by a global rollout on January 17, 2020, encompassing all platforms in Western markets. Expansion of the game's accessibility occurred with the revelation of a Nintendo Switch edition in June 2021, eventually hitting the market on September 24 of the same year. This variant bundled the core game experience along with the "A New Power Awakens" downloadable content.
Advancing the game's availability, plans for versions compatible with the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S came to light in September 2022, slated for a subsequent launch in 2023. In the case of the former, its release transpired on January 12 in Japan and subsequently on January 13 worldwide. Nevertheless, the release of the Xbox Series X/S iteration and its accompanying DLC was met with a delay until February 3. This postponement was necessitated by a critical technical challenge wherein save data from the Xbox One version encountered difficulties in seamless compatibility with the Series X|S edition, necessitating a conversion process from the original iteration.
Downloadable content
In January 2020, concurrent with the launch of the game, a downloadable content (DLC) season pass was introduced. This initiative commenced with the release of a culinary item called the "Steaming-Hot Grilled Fish," followed by a gradual incorporation of fresh modes and narrative expansions over the ensuing year.
The primary DLC offering, titled "A New Power Awakens - Part 1," was unveiled on April 28, 2020. This expansion introduces character transformations and personalities from Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods, encompassing the film's storyline and pivotal events.
In a subsequent development, an October 27, 2020 update was made available to players, delivering the novel Dragon Ball Card Warriors mode—an online multiplayer card combat feature. However, it is noteworthy that service for this mode is slated for cessation in 2023.
The subsequent DLC installment, denominated "A New Power Awakens - Part 2," was officially launched on November 17, 2020. This DLC introduces an innovative mode wherein players confront a staggering 1000 adversaries, among them the formidable Golden Frieza. The challenges of this mode are rooted in the narrative of Dragon Ball Z: Resurrection 'F'.
The culminating DLC episode of the season pass, titled "Trunks: The Warrior of Hope," was unveiled on June 10, 2021. This content extension introduces a fresh narrative set in the chronicles of Future Trunks as portrayed in Dragon Ball Z: The History of Trunks. In addition, an auxiliary saga featuring Babidi and Dabura is incorporated, briefly touched upon in Dragon Ball Z: Shin Budokai - Another Road, as well as the manga iteration of Dragon Ball Super.
Tokyo Game Show 2022 Announcement and Second Season Pass
In the course of the Tokyo Game Show 2022, an announcement was made regarding a second season pass, comprising three distinct DLCs, for the game. Notably, a complimentary next-generation update was revealed for users of PS5 and Xbox Series X/S consoles. The first DLC installment under this new initiative, titled "Bardock: Alone Against Fate," was officially released on January 13, 2023. This expansion envelops the events of Dragon Ball Z: Bardock – The Father of Goku, supplemented by a side narrative centered on an infant Vegeta.
A subsequent addition to this season pass, dubbed "The 23rd World Tournament," introduces an original "Ground Battle" mode, capturing the essence of the Piccolo Jr. saga from the original Dragon Ball anime. As of the current juncture, details regarding the final DLC for this season pass remain pending.
Reception
"Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot garnered a range of critical responses across various platforms. Review scores on Metacritic indicated a blend of evaluations: the Windows, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One versions received 'mixed or average' reviews, while the Switch and PlayStation 5 versions were met with a more favorable reception. Michael Saltzman from IGN awarded Kakarot a score of 7, commending its combat dynamics and storytelling presentation. However, he noted shortcomings in its role-playing game (RPG) components.
In a GameSpot review, Kakarot secured a rating of 7/10. Heidi Kemps lauded the game's modern and semi-open approach in retelling the DBZ saga. Despite minor hiccups, Kemps affirmed that the game effectively chronicles adult Goku's journey from a fresh perspective. She stated, '[i]f you're seeking an enjoyable exploration of Goku's life and experiences as an adult, Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot is poised to fulfill that desire.'
The launch of Kakarot in Japan witnessed robust sales, moving 89,537 copies during its debut week, securing the second-highest position behind Yakuza: Like a Dragon. In the United Kingdom, Kakarot debuted at the top of the sales chart.
Bandai Namco reported in a conference call that Kakarot achieved global sales of over 1.5 million copies within its initial week, marking a notable commercial triumph. By March 2020, cumulative worldwide sales, encompassing both physical shipments and digital purchases, surpassed the 2 million milestone. As of December 2021, Kakarot's global sales reached an impressive 4.5 million copies. Notably, Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot ranked as the best-selling game in the United States for January 2020. Its launch month sales performance in the Dragon Ball franchise ranked third, trailing only Dragon Ball FighterZ and Dragon Ball Z: Budokai.
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