Summary
- Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot is a great game for exploration, providing an immersive open world experience.
- Dragon Ball FighterZ features a new story to explore with unique characters, despite being primarily a fighting game.
- Dragon Ball Fusions has a huge open world to adventure in, focusing on fusions and answering fans' questions.
Dragon Ball is a franchise that first attracted a fan-base through its incredible anime series that saw the birth of popular characters such as Goku and Vegeta. While many viewers loved the adventures and plot of Dragon Ball and its many spin-off series that followed after it, those who truly enjoy the franchise and also love games have likely also played the various Dragon Ball titles that have been released over the years.
The Best Dragon Ball Games of All Time
From Budokai to FighterZ, here are the best Dragon Ball games ever made, ranked by fun, depth, and how well they capture the anime’s spirit.
Commonly, these games are fighting titles, with players either taking on other players or the AI in epic battles with their favorite characters. However, there have also been a few Dragon Ball games that have allowed players to lose themselves within the story of Dragon Ball via open-worlds or RPG mechanics. These games are brilliant for those looking to explore the world o f Dragon Ball, though exploration can also be done through unique stories . Although they might not all allow the player to entirely freely roam around the world of Dragon Ball, these are by far the best Dragon Ball games for exploration.
8 Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2
Explore The Hub World Of Conton City
Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2
- Released
- October 25, 2016
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T For Teen due to Cartoon Violence, Mild Blood, Mild Language, Mild Suggestive Themes
- Developer(s)
- Dimps
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Stadia, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
- Genre(s)
- Fighting
Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2 is a long-standing fighting game that pulled some players in through its character customization and decent – although limited – roster of characters. While this game may not have a large world for the player to walk around in, instead focusing on its combat, that doesn't mean it isn't a great Dragon Ball game for exploration.
With Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2 receiving so many DLCs since its original release back in 2016, the hub world of Conton City has only grown over the years. Besides this hub world, the various battlegrounds for these epic fights are also present across the Dragon Ball world, and this allows players to explore different arcs of the franchise, too. There is also nothing better than how this game can be explored alongside friends.
7 Dragon Ball Z: Sagas
Battle Across Maps Of The Dragon Ball Z Story
Dragon Ball Z: Sagas
- Released
- March 22, 2005
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- Teen
- Developer(s)
- Avalanche Software
- Platform(s)
- Xbox (Original), PlayStation 2, Nintendo GameCube
Gamers who are looking for exploration in the Dragon Ball world that they can enjoy with a friend should look no further than the only Dragon Ball game to be released across the 6th generation of consoles, and that is Dragon Ball Z: Sagas. As an action-adventure title, it's important for players to feel as if there is some sort of element of exploration when being a part of the Dragon Ball franchise.
While Dragon Ball Z: Sagas may not have an entirely open world for the player to navigate freely, as they take on various missions within the story of this action-adventure to complete the various beat 'em up moments, the player will visit familiar locations across the 19 missions that are part of several sagas from the anime.
6 Dragon Ball FighterZ
A Whole New Story To Explore
Dragon Ball FighterZ
- Released
- January 26, 2018
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T for Teen: Cartoon Violence, Mild Language, Mild Suggestive Themes
- Developer(s)
- Arc System Works
- Platform(s)
- PS4, Xbox One, Switch, PC, PS5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
- Genre(s)
- Fighting
Dragon Ball FighterZ is possibly one of the best Dragon Ball games of all time, though that doesn't mean that it has the greatest exploration of them all. This is due to it being primarily a fighting game that saw the Dragon Ball franchise finally earn itself a place in the competitive scene of the fighting game genre.
Dragon Ball Games With The Most Complete Stories
There have been dozens of video games in the Dragon Ball franchise, but for players who enjoy a good narrative, these are the best ones to check out.
That doesn't mean there is nothing at all for the player to explore and discover within this title, as although Dragon Ball FighterZ has a strong multiplayer presence, the story within Dragon Ball FighterZ is an entirely new one that cannot be found within the anime or the manga. It also marks the introduction of a brand-new character called Android 21, whom the player will learn more about through the campaign of this epic fighting title.
5 Dragon Ball Z: Attack Of The Saiyans
A Little Exploration In A Turn-Based RPG
Dragon Ball Z: Attack of the Saiyans
- Released
- November 10, 2009
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- e
- Developer(s)
- Monolith Soft
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo DS
- Genre(s)
- RPG
Handheld consoles were once arguably one of the best ways to enjoy Dragon Ball games, especially for those looking to have an adventure and therefore be able to explore this anime world. One promising entry for the Nintendo DS was Dragon Ball Z: Attack of the Saiyans. In this turn-based RPG, the player has access to a small roster of characters from Dragon Ball Z that many will be familiar with.
As the name of the game suggests, Dragon Ball Z: Attack of the Saiyans focused heavily on the Saiyan Saga, which is only a small part of the Dragon Ball Z franchise, though being able to explore made this DS game a truly unique experience for fans.
4 Dragon Ball Fusions
Fuse Characters Within An Open World
Dragon Ball Fusions
- Released
- November 22, 2016
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T For Teen // Cartoon Violence, Mild Language, Mild Suggestive Themes
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo 3DS
Fusions is a mechanic that few Dragon Ball games have focused on as much as Dragon Ball Fusions on the 3DS has. Similar to the likes of Dragon Ball FighterZ, which creates an entirely new story and character for players to discover, Dragon Ball Fusions proves to be another game where players are left to explore a story that hasn't been seen in the anime or the manga.
Besides the obvious features of fusions in Dragon Ball Fusions, this is one of the few games in the Dragon Ball franchise that has a huge open-world for the player to adventure within. Those who are looking for a Dragon Ball title with great exploration are sure to want to check out Dragon Ball Fusions. It also does a lot to treat players to plenty of fan service and answers many of the questions about fusions.
3 Dragon Ball Z: Buu's Fury
A Sense Of Adventure On The Game Boy Advance
Dragon Ball Z: Buu's Fury
- Released
- September 14, 2004
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- e
- Developer(s)
- Webfoot Technologies
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo Game Boy Advance
- Genre(s)
- Action
As expected, Dragon Ball Z: Buu's Fury focuses on the Majin Buu sagas of the Dragon Ball Z franchise. Similar to what players may have seen on TV or in the manga, Dragon Ball Z: Buu's Fury highlights the thrill of adventure that was seen within this arc of the story. Exploration and adventure go hand in hand in this Action RPG title, which is the final game in the Legacy of Goku series of games.
Best Dragon Ball Games You Can No Longer Buy
Unfortunately, these Dragon Ball titles are no longer available for players to buy for different reasons.
Exploring on a handheld like the Game Boy Advance is arguably one of the best ways to enjoy not only the Dragon Ball series but also when exploring in general. It's also a surprise that such a small device could hold the vast world of Dragon Ball Z, along with the astounding story and combat that countless players came to love.
2 Dragon Ball Z: The Legacy Of Goku 2
One Of The Greatest Handheld Dragon Ball Experiences
Dragon Ball Z: The Legacy of Goku II
- Released
- June 17, 2003
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- e
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo Game Boy Advance
- Genre(s)
- Action
As arguably one of the best action RPGs for the Dragon Ball franchise on the Game Boy Advance, Dragon Ball Z: The Legacy of Goku 2 sits happily alongside Buu's Fury as being two unbelievable titles for gamers to consider when looking for the Dragon Ball games with the best exploration.
As discussed in Buu's Fury, these titles are best for those looking to explore games that take heavy inspiration from their source material while also highlighting the epic adventures that could be followed within the franchise. Gamers who are looking for an experience that is less of a grind should be sure to prioritize trying The Legacy of Goku 2 over Buu's Fury, especially if they are ever looking for a classic game full of exploration.
1 Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot
The Best For Exploring The World Of Dragon Ball
Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot
- Released
- January 16, 2020
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T for Teen: Mild Language, Suggestive Themes, Violence
- Developer(s)
- CyberConnect2
- Platform(s)
- Stadia, PS4, Switch, Xbox One, PC, PS5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
Out of all the available Dragon Ball games over the years, by far the best for those looking for exploration is Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot. This is a title that many fans of the Dragon Ball Z franchise believe allows them to feel most like they were a part of the Dragon Ball world.
With Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot fully investing in the immersion of this Action RPG title, there is a whole open world for the player to explore while also being the hero of the tale. When players aren't reliving the epic arcs of the Dragon Ball Z story, they can instead find the time to fly around the map, do a spot of fishing, or even eat a tasty treat as they truly explore.
Dragon Ball Fighting Game Tier List
Dragon Ball has enjoyed a number of quality fighting game releases throughout history, with a few series in particular managing to come out on top.