Search results
Jan 22, 2018 · In Short: A dream come true for Dragon Ball fans, but also a highly competent fighting game that is a front runner for the best fighter of the generation. Pros: Amazing visuals and great...
- 3 min
- 5
- GameCentral
- The pairing of DBZ and Arc System Works is a match made in fighting game heaven.
- Dragon Ball FigtherZ Roster
- Verdict
- Dragon Ball FighterZ Review
- More Reviews by Mitchell Saltzman
- IGN Recommends
By Mitchell Saltzman
Updated: Oct 5, 2018 3:51 pm
Posted: Jan 22, 2018 2:00 pm
Who’d have thought: matching one of the most iconic action anime of all time with one of the best fighting game developers in the business turns out to be a good idea. Dragon Ball FighterZ, from developer Arc System Works, successfully adapts the fast and thrilling pace of a Dragon Ball fight into a three-on-three 2D fighting game built around a beginner-friendly combo system and some of the most gorgeous and true to the source cel-shaded art styles around.
Despite the visual chaos, Dragon Ball FighterZ’s mechanics are actually deceptively simple and easy to learn. There are just four attack buttons: light, medium, heavy, and a special attack button typically mapped to a projectile. There are no complicated special move input commands, like dragon punch, charge, or 360 motions. If you can throw a fireball in Street Fighter you can perform just about every single move and technique in FighterZ. That’s great, especially since you’re required to handle three characters at once.
The one place where its simplicity goes too far is that each character has two highly damaging auto combos that you can execute by just mashing either the light or medium attack buttons. Add on to that the ability to use a safe-on-block homing attack that can quickly close the distance and enable those auto combos to land, and you have a system where low-skill tactics are very effective. A skilled player will still likely prevail because a well-timed down + heavy attack can punish those homing attacks. But it can be tricky to time those, especially if lag is involved, which makes it frustrating when your opponent decides to spam the move. More importantly, it’s just not a very entertaining fight.
They real reason to play the single-player campaign is the fanservice converations between unlikely pairings.
“
The real reason it’s worth playing for Dragon Ball fans is the special fanservicey conversations before a match. Pairing Gotenks and Ginyu causes them to get into an impromptu pose-off with each other; another has Piccolo and Tien chatting about how Piccolo is a better grandfather than Goku; and just about any scene with Yamcha is worth seeking out because of how painfully aware he is that he’s by far the weakest fighter in FighterZ. Canonically, at least. Seeking out moments like these was by far the best part about the Story Mode.
If you want to test yourself against the AI, FighterZ’s unique approach to Arcade Mode is definitely the way to go. As you fight through specially themed teams of fighters you’re graded after each battle, and that grade dictates the path that you take: high, middle, or low. There’s no real difference between the paths outside of their difficulty and the specific characters you fight, but It can be extremely difficult to remain on the high path the whole way, which gives you something to strive for as you play. The downsides are that there’s no way to restart a losing match, and sometimes the difficulty spikes can be huge from one match to the next.
The most charming parts of FighterZ can be found in the lobby.
“
Between the accessible auto combos, homing attacks, and simplified command inputs, Dragon Ball FighterZ is an inviting gateway into the world of fighting games for newcomers — whether you’re a Dragon Ball fan or not. Those easy controls can open the door to some spammy behavior, but just as often it’s satisfying in a way that does right by the Drag...
Review scoring
great
Dragon Ball FighterZ’s pairing of DBZ and Arc System Works is a match made in fighting game heaven.
Mitchell Saltzman
Oct 1, 2018 · Dragon Ball FighterZ on the Switch is, simply put, the best fighting game we've seen on the system yet. Arc System Works went the extra mile in capturing the essence of the source...
- (154)
- Nintendo Switch
- Contributor
Nov 9, 2021 · Clearly, fans agree, as it’s become the fastest-selling Dragon Ball game of all time, and has pushed over 6 million copies, making it one of the best-selling fighting games ever.
- Daniel Dockery
Sep 30, 2018 · Dragon Ball FighterZ Review: Still The Best Dragon Ball Game Ever. By Derek Stauffer. Published Sep 30, 2018. Link copied to clipboard. Dragon Ball FighterZ has finally arrived on Nintendo Switch. After launching on PlayStation 4, Xbox One and PC earlier this year, Arc System Works' anime fighter has come to Nintendo's console/handheld hybrid.
- Derek Stauffer
Jan 22, 2018 · Shockingly easy to pick up but agonisingly difficult to put down, Dragon Ball FighterZ takes anime adaptations to the next level, combining fantastic gameplay with a crystal clear passion...
People also ask
Is Dragon Ball FighterZ a good game?
What is Dragon Ball FighterZ?
Does Dragon Ball FighterZ have a style?
When does Dragon Ball FighterZ come out?
Is Dragon Ball FighterZ coming to switch?
Is FighterZ a good game?
Jan 26, 2018 · Those games, which blended 2D Street Fighter-style combat with interspersed 3D animations, made the strongest case for why a DBZ video game should exist outside the show’s core fandom. They...
