8 Best Dragon Ball RPGs Of All Time, Ranked

Dragon Ball games are not a new occurrence in modern gaming spheres, especially for players who love jaw-dropping action from Goku and his friends in high-octane fights. However, beyond Dragon Ball fighting games are a rare breed of games that push the franchise to its limits: Dragon Ball role-playing games. Instead of relying on match-ups where Goku defeats villains to progress from one arc to the next, some Dragon Ball RPGs give the franchise a spin with new mechanics that provide better context on the world Dragon Ball has to offer.

Instead of traditional turn-based RPG mechanics, many Dragon Ball RPGs introduce new fighting mechanics such as cards, characters inside cards alongside stat progression, ability unlocks, and even entirely customizable characters. However, among the games Dragon Ball offers in the RPG genre, which ones stand out the most?

8 Dragon Ball Z: Super Saiya Densetsu

Early Card-Based RPGs With Stand-Out Graphics

Although it was only released in Japan (but fan translations do exist), Dragon Ball Z: Super Saiya Densetsu is classified as a remake of two earlier titles for the Super Famicon. The game takes players through the Vegeta, Namek, and Frieza sagas while including multicolored Saibamen and recolored Ginyu Force and Frieza henchmen as regular enemies.

The combat system is comprised of randomly regenerated cards (with other cards that allow exchanges) with values that determine the order they are played (Attack) and their defensive power (Defense). Unlike previous games, Super Saiya Densetsu stands out for trying to use regular-sized sprites for movement, while card attacks also possess unique animations. Dragon Ball fans looking for the ultimate retro experience without the typical fighting game action will appreciate this title.

7 Dragon Ball Z: Harukanaru Densetsu

Updated Take On A Card-Game RPG Classic

Essentially a modernized take on Super Saiya Densetsu’s card mechanics, Dragon Ball Z: Harukanaru Densetsu for the Nintendo DS is a refreshing nostalgia trip that introduces an innovative card game mechanic, adding a strategic spin to the often ultra-intense Dragon Ball fights.

Harukanaru Densetsu has a story arc taking place between the Saiyan saga up to the Cell Games saga, where players can use either Goku, Gohan, Piccolo, or Vegeta for their playthroughs. Similar to its inspiration, cards are used, but this time they can be combined to get higher Power or Defense, as well as cards that raise the stats of other cards, Item Cards with unique effects, and Counter Cards that swap abilities. Players still move along a board-game world, triggering story events and fights along the way.

6 Super Dragon Ball Heroes: World Mission

A Switch Port That Comes With A Unique Story Mode

While technically a Switch port of Super Dragon Ball Heroes, the gameplay in Super Dragon Ball Heroes: World Mission has unique characters alongside its own story mode. The game uses a turn-based card battle system that can facilitate up to 7-on-7 battles featuring Dragon Ball characters. The premise is that the player’s character goes to Hero Town and hopes to become the best player of “Dragon Ball Heroes”, an arcade game that takes place in the Dragon Ball world.

It’s the combat that makes World Mission such an entertaining affair. Since it tries to replicate a real-life card game, players also choose up to seven fighters to switch on and off throughout fights. While there’s not a lot of intense button-mashing to do, players do need to strengthen their fighters and understand their synergies — they need to know which characters complement each other, which transformations to use, when to leave characters who are resting, and when to unleash their most powerful moves.

5 Dragon Ball Z: Buu’s Fury

One Of The Most Accessible RPGs On Classic Consoles

Serving as the third and final entry in the Legacy of Goku trilogy of titles for the Game Boy Advance, Dragon Ball Z: Buu's Fury will take players through the fight against Majin Buu until a bit after his defeat. Similar to its sibling titles, Buu’s Fury is an adventure RPG where players control the Z-Fighters as they tour various recognizable landscapes. They can fight in melee, unleash Ki Blasts, or use unique techniques, this time with a proper skill allocation system to truly make the game feel like a full-fledged RPG.

Although it essentially has the same mechanics as The Legacy Of Goku 2, Dragon Ball Z: Buu’s Fury has new features that make it one of the most accessible Dragon Ball action RPGs of the era. Everyone can use and deflect Ki Blasts, the Scouter can view the map and get information about others, and there are more sources for items (enemies, Z-Mart).

4 Dragon Ball Fusions

Boasts A Wild Dragon Ball Story Featuring Fusions

Despite the chibified appearance of most of its characters, Dragon Ball Fusions has some of the most interesting mechanics to ever grace a Dragon Ball title — namely, an emphasis on Fusions. In the game, players take control of Tekka as they and their rival, Pinich, wish for the “greatest martial arts tournament,” resulting in the convergence of parallel dimensions and different timelines, complete with assorted game-exclusive fusion forms.

Fights in this Timespace Tournament happen in a circular arena where units take turns doing actions (Melee Attack, Ki Attack, Zenkai Attacks, Ultra Fusions, Fusions, etc.) that knock enemies around the battlefield. Combos happen when the enemy is flung towards an ally, making fights a battle of strategy. Combatants need to be positioned carefully so that enemies get whipped into a satisfying game of ping pong.

3 Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2

Experience High-Octane Dragon Ball Fights With A Custom Character Who Saves The Multiverse

Players who have already experienced Dragon Ball: Xenoverse may look at Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2 as more of a straightforward sequel, but newcomers to the game will see it as an expansive action RPG worthy of being a standalone title. Although the majority of the game takes place across traditional fights, skill progression and unlocks ensure characters receive enough tailored control that it plays like an RPG, especially when players create their own Time Patroller tasked to save the past and the future of Dragon Ball within Conton City.

After creating their character, players can experience a story mode featuring a distorted Dragon Ball timeline, complete with Parallel Quests (alternate storylines) that unlock moves to hone their character’s playstyle. The myriad of choices available makes each playthrough unique to each character, while providing enough thrills in multiplayer should players want a change of pace.

2 Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot

A Fighting RPG Across A Sprawling Open World With Many Timelines

Due to the nature of the Dragon Ball anime, it’s no surprise that a majority of its games are geared towards the fighting genre. This makes Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot a breath of fresh air, as it offers a fighting game experience within a fleshed-out open world, adding more depth to a world often only seen in the background. As the name implies, Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot lets players take on the role of Goku as they replay the story of the entire DBZ series, from the Saiyan saga to the Majin Buu saga (with Super Saiyan God and Golden Frieza unlocked through DLC).

The game also adds new lore and features a sprawling semi-open world where players can switch to other characters briefly (via Intermission), get stat boosts (Cooking) through various minigames (Hunting, Fishing, Base Destruction, Training Exercises), and access different collectibles (Z-Orbs, Time Orbs, D-Medals).

1 Dragon Ball Z: Attack Of The Saiyans

Take Control Of The Original Z-Fighters In A Turn-Based Game

Released in 2009 for the Nintendo DS, Dragon Ball Z: Attack of the Saiyans is often the game one visualizes whenever they think about a Dragon Ball “RPG.” Set between the 23rd Tenkaichi Budokai and Saiyan sagas of the anime, Attack of the Saiyans is a turn-based RPG that lets players control Goku and the original Z-Fighters as they compete in the tournament and eventually fight Vegeta and Nappa. This, in turn, made the game a compelling demonstration of the Z-Fighters’ original competencies beyond needing the assistance of Super Saiyans.

Gameplay-wise, Attack of the Saiyans makes full use of the dual-screen function of the DS. The bottom screen serves as a storage of tools and gadgets during exploration, while serving as the main combat menu during combat. The game is played across an overworld Dragon World map, 2.5D area maps, and within battle mode. Players create parties of three using interchangeable characters, and they earn Ability Points that can buy or upgrade skills. A Rage Gauge can activate a Sparking Mode that gives access to a character’s Ultimate Attack or a Sparking Combo.