Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Z: Top 10 Facts You Need to Know

It’s been a while since gamers have gotten the chance to smash in a few anime characters heads with some Super Saiyans. Dragon Ball Z for Kinect is a game that’s best left forgotten, so it’s about time we all got to play a solid fighter that’s worthy of containing the awesomeness of the DBZ universe. Here’s everything you need to know about Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Z’s new mechanics, roster, stages, pre-order bonuses and more.

1. The Game Now Features A Four-Player Mode and An Eight-Player Battle Royale

Dragon Ball Z’s past fighting games have primarily focused on one-on-one gameplay scenarios. Battle of Z changes the formula for this latest iteration by incorporating four-player fights and eight-player Battle Royale scenarios. During the four-player co-op’s battles, players can even perform signature attacks together and actually heal each other. The eight-player Battle Royale mode is just as crazy as it sounds (four vs. four). Single-player gameplay is also available. The only restriction for the multiplayer gameplay is this sad fact – two players can’t play on the same console.

2. New Mechanics, Such as the GENKI Gauge, Are Being Implemented

Battle of Z still retains the fast paced and chaotic action the series is known for. During the co-op battles, players share a singular energy meter called the GENKI Gauge. As you and your teammates attack their opponents, the gauge fills up.

When it becomes full, one character can pull off an amazing ultimate attack. The player’s co-op buddies can give up some energy to their friends or take some energy from the gauge to use it for their own special moves. The heroes and villains can actually share Ki with each other, but in a cool twist they actually don’t show any appreciation for all that Ki sharing.

As for the game’s other new mechanics, check out the full list of them below:

– Meteor Chain: co-op partners can team up to launch into attacks that follow after each other
– Synchro Rush: players can rush their opponents together and get into simultaneous hits
– Revive Soul: players can revive their fallen partners by giving them so of their energy

3. Some New and Familiar Game Modes Will Be Playable

The game’s Single Mission mode works as the game’s main story campaign. 60 missions are featured in full, where players can choose to fight as the Z Fighters or their evil counterparts. Some of the anime series’ most famous moments, such as the Z Fighters battle against the Androids/Cell, are playable.

Two new story scenarios (a special history mode that’s a “What If?” scenario about the Saiyans and a huge battle against all of Goku’s family) are also a part of the game’s single-player mode. The Multi Mission mode is filled with for four player, online co-op missions. The Team Battle mode includes other mini modes such as Normal Battle, Score Battle, Battle Royal and Dragon Ball Grab mode. A Character Customization mode allows players to upgrade characters with in-game cards and different costumes.

4. Over 70 Characters Are Being Included in the Game’s Roster

The game’s official roster is actually split up into all the different transformations that most of the characters can morph into. It looks like there won’t be any in-game transformations this time around. Some of the most popular DBZ fighters, such as Goku, Vegeta, Trunks, Cell, Majin Buu etc., will make it as playable characters. Each of the fighters fall into one of four different categories (Fighting Type, Ki Blast Type, Support Type and Interference Type). Check out the full list of the playable characters right HERE.

5. Giant Boss Characters Will Take on the Form of Massive Battles

The more larger franchise characters seen in various DBZ sagas and films will show up in the game. None of them won’t be playable, though. Check out the full list of those massive bosses below:

– Great Ape Vegeta
– Great Ape Gohan
– Great Ape Bardock
– Metal Cooler (nucleus)
– Hirudegarn (Final Form)

6. A Slew of Familiar Stages From The Show Are Being Added In

As for the game’s stages, here’s the full list of each one below:

– Plain
– Rocky Area
– Planet Namek
– Ruined Namek
– Urban Area
– Hyperbolic Time Chamber
– Tropical Islands
– Big Gete Star
– Cell Games Arena
– World Martial Arts Tournament
– Sacred World of the Kais

7. A New Development Team is Creating This New DBZ Fighter

DBZanto interviewed the producer of the game, Kunio Hashimoto, and he provided some details on the new development team that’s working on the game:

Many developers have previously worked on games like DBZ Dimps and Spike. This time, we wanted to incorporate something really different for this type of game on DBZ, we focus especially on the multiplayer action team. We worked with a development studio called Artdink. This company is very talented regarding the multiplayer game. So we thought that working with Artdink, we were able to offer something new in terms of features or gameplay. We aim to create a new type of DBZ game has led us to work with the talented and renowned studio in the world what Artdink. We thought that by working together we can offer a masterpiece.

8. The Game’s Story Mode Follows The Anime’s Main Sagas

During that same interview, Hashimoto provided some background info on what the single missions will focus on:

This game follows the story of the big manga or anime, original. Some changes were made due to the new features of the game, for example, during the Frieza Saga in the original work, Goku fights alone against Frieza. This game tells what would have happened if Krillin, Piccolo, Gohan or youth had enough energy and fought together against Frieza. Even if it is different from a “what if” (an alternative scenario) it is one of some sort. These are exclusive special situations this game, of course, we retain the basic story of the manga and anime. You can experience the story from the point of view of “Z Warriors” (Goku, Gohan, Piccolo, Tien, etc..) But you can also see the point of view of the wicked, such as Frieza.

9. A Sweet Pre-Order/Day 1 Bonus is Available for Early Adopters

The pre-order release for Battle of Z is getting packed with some awesome goodies. The GOKU Edition: A Collector’s Edition for the PS3/Xbox 360 will come with the Goku “Naruto Uzumaki Sage Mode” costume DLC, an art book and a Super Saiyan Goku figurine. Download codes for two exclsuive characters (Super Vegito and Super Saiyan Bardock) will also be available. Check out the pics for all those characters below:

Super Vegito.

Super Saiyan Bardock.

10. The Game is Confirmed for a Worldwide Release

Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Z is most certainly getting released in Japan. But DBZ is still a beloved Japanese anime franchise in other territories, including the U.S. The game is releasing in three territories in January 2014 for the PS3, Xbox 360 and PS Vita:

– January 23, 2014 (Japan)
– January 24, 2014 (Europe)
– January 28, 2014 (North America)