Rare Dragon Ball Games That Did Not Release In North America

Key Takeaways

Some Dragon Ball games never made it to the US, like Dragon Daihikyō for Super Cassette Vision.
Saiyajin Zetsumetsu Keikaku for Playdia offers a choose-your-own-adventure style gameplay.
Shin Butōden for Sega Saturn provides detailed sprites and fun modes like Mr. Satan betting.

As a longtime Dragon Ball fan who has been following this iconic series since its inception, I can’t help but feel a pang of nostalgia when I delve into these overlooked gems from our beloved franchise. These games, though not as famous as their fighting brethren, offer unique and engaging experiences that hardcore fans like myself crave.

Dragon Ball is undeniably one of the world’s most beloved anime series, which means that the majority of games developed since its debut have also enjoyed widespread popularity. These games offer fans an immersive experience, allowing them to personally engage in the high-octane combat between otherworldly characters.

Nevertheless, this series has been on air for quite some time, accumulating followers from around the world somewhat later in its existence. Consequently, there are several games that remained exclusive to Japan, or failed to reach the U.S. markets. Here’s a brief list of a few such games.

5 Dragon Ball: Dragon Daihikyō

Platform(s): Epoch Super Cassette Vision
Released: September 27, 1986
Developer(s): Epoch Co.
Genre(s): Shoot’em Up

As a devoted fan, I’d say Dragon Daihikyō is an uncomplicated top-down shooter that has me soaring through the skies aboard my faithful Nimbus cloud. My mission? To track down the fabled dragon balls while warding off adversaries with my trusty power pole. And, to keep my beloved Goku’s strength at peak levels, I need to ensure he never goes hungry!

This game was part of only a few titles that came out for the Super Cassette Vision by Epoch. Despite being launched in the early 80s, this system had a surprisingly brief existence of just three years, which meant most of its games, such as “Dragon Daihikyō,” struggled to stay relevant and eventually slipped into relative obscurity.

4 Dragon Ball Z: Saiyajin Zetsumetsu Keikaku

Platform(s): Playdia
Released: December 16, 1994
Developer(s): Bandai
Genre(s): Action

The game came out in two separate installments: Earth Chapter and Space Chapter. These parts were inspired by the same-named OVA (Original Video Animation) that was launched in the same year. They incorporated animations straight from the original production. Players can engage with the game as if they’re reading a choose-your-own-adventure book, either by choosing dialogue options or tackling various quick-time challenges.

To put it straight, the Playdia didn’t exactly take off like we hoped. Given that Shin Saiyajin Zenmetsu Keikaku was already available in a straightforward, TV-style format, there wasn’t much incentive for gamers like me to shell out our savings on either the console or the game. However, if fans hadn’t dived into this story within the Dragon Ball Z universe before, it wasn’t a bad introduction at all.

3 Dragon Ball Z: Idainaru Son Goku Densetsu

Platform(s): TurboGrafx-16
Released: November 11, 1994
Developer(s): B.B. Studio
Genre(s): Fighting

During its time, the TurboGrafx-16 was generally less famous compared to other consoles like the Super Nintendo and Sega Genesis. Consequently, a significant number of people might have overlooked some exceptional Dragon Ball games that were exclusive to it, such as “Idainaru Son Goku Densetsu”.

As a die-hard fan, I can’t help but be thrilled by the fact that Densetsu serves as an epic compilation of Goku’s most memorable battles throughout the Dragon Ball series. From his intense confrontation with Mercenary Tao to his heart-wrenching defeat at the hands of Cell, this game allows me to revisit these iconic clashes in all their dramatic glory. The system pulls out all the stops, showering us with cinematic effects that make every battle feel like a blockbuster movie!

2 Dragon Ball Z: Shin Butōden

Platform(s): Sega Saturn
Released: November 17, 1995
Developer(s): Tose
Genre(s): Fighting

In terms of simplicity among sequels of anime-based fighting games, “Shin Butōden” stands out as one of the most straightforward. As the final installment in a series that enjoyed decent popularity, it incorporates elements such as assets and cutscenes from its predecessors, while also revisiting sections of the beloved “DBZ” storyline.

Absolutely, for numerous individuals, this isn’t a negative aspect, particularly when the game, along with its impressive character sprites, successfully portrays characters from the entire Dragon Ball Z series in stunning detail. The game offers multiple modes to engage with, such as a Mr. Satan mode, where players wager on CPU versus CPU matches, and employ different button combinations to secure their team’s victory.

1 Dragon Ball

Platform(s): WonderSwan Color
Released: November 2003
Developer(s): Bandai
Genre(s): RPG, Card Game

Under the title “Dragon Ball“, players might anticipate an immersive recounting of the cherished “Dragon Ball” narrative. Indeed, it is a retelling, but with gameplay that may not align with the usual expectations, particularly following years of conventional fighting games.

As a passionate fan, I must admit that what sets this game apart is its reincarnation as a remake of “Dragon Ball 3: Gokuden.” Being a card-based game at its core, it offers an immersive experience where every aspect, from traversing the world (depicted as a board) to engaging in battles, relies on the strategic use of a deck of cards. This design choice allows for a level of detail in each screen that is truly remarkable, making the game visually captivating.

2024-10-10 02:34