Summary
Aside from being one of the most popular anime titles in the world,Dragon Ball Zhas a constant stream of quality video games that fans (and non-fans) of the franchise eat up every year. Every system and decade has its ownDragon Ballvideo game releases and there is no sign of that changing anytime soon. Most of these games are developed in Japan with a Japanese release coming first and then an American release following. But did you know there was a majorDragon Ball Zgame that was never released in Japan despite being developed there? What is this game, and why did it never appear on Japanese shores?
The History of Dragon Ball Video Games
The history ofDragon Ballvideo games is extensive,spanning several decadesand across several console generations. The major release was in 1986 withDragon Ball: Dragon Daihikyofor the Super Cassette Vision and was a shoot ‘em up game (if you can believe it). A year later,Dragon Ball: Daimaō Fukkatsuwas released for the Famicom, introducing an action role-playing format. During the early 1990s, several Dragon Ball games were developed for the NES and Game Boy, including titles likeDragon Ball: Shenron no NazoandDragon Ball Z: Kyôshū! Saiyajin.Dragon Ball: Shenron no Nazo didmake its way to American shores, but with new graphics and artwork, and going under the titleDragon Power.
The 2000s saw the franchise gain new highs in the video game world with the release ofDragon Ball Z: Budokaiin 2002 for the PlayStation 2. This series introduced 3D fighting mechanics and story modes that more closely followed the anime. Between 2004 and 2006, theBudokai Tenkaichiseries expanded on this formula with more characters and enhanced 3D arenas. In 2009, theDragon Ball: Raging Blastseries debuted on PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360, focusing on high-definition graphics and expansive rosters. Since then, new video games continue to be developed, includingDragon Ball Xenoverse,Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2,Dragon Ball FighterZ, andDragon Ball Z: Kakarot, which promised an open-world action RPG experience that retells theDragon Ball Zstory.
The First Games to be Released in America
Although it may sound strange, the firstDragon Ballgame to be released in America wasDragon Ball GT: Final Boutfor the PlayStation. It was a strange release asDragon Ball Zhad been off the air for years (this was before the Cartoon Network Toonami run),Dragon Ball GThadnot made it over to American shores, and the voice cast consisted of people who were not part of any of the dubs. Gamers would have to wait several years later to receive some Game Boy games in the form ofDragon Ball Z: Legendary Super Warriors,Dragon Ball Z: The Legacy of Goku, andDragon Ball Z: Buu’s Fury. Most of these were simple action games with RPG elements, but they would pave the way for the far more popularBudokaiseries down the road.
What is the Kinect for XBox 360?
TheKinect for Xbox 360is a motion-sensing input device developed by Microsoft for use with the Xbox 360 video game console. It was released in November 2010 and allowed users to interact with games and the console interface through gestures, spoken commands, and objects or images presented to the sensor. It did so by incorporating features such as motion tracking, voice recognition, and facial recognition that gave gamers the ability to play games without their controller (or, as Microsoft put it, Kinect allowed gamers tobe the controller). While the Kinect was well-received for its innovative approach to gaming and interactivity (and it opened up new possibilities for games and applications beyond traditional controller-based systems), its adoption was mixed, with some players loving the immersive experience while others found it less precise than traditional controls.
Despite this, Kinect set the stage for future advancements in motion sensing and interactive technology in gaming and beyond. Several games were released for the Kinect that would gain some notable success though (particularly the Kinect Sports lineupfrom Rare), and making aDragon Ball Zfighting game where players could literally become their favorite Z Fighter made perfect sense.
The Dragon Ball Kinect Game
Dragon Ball Z: For Kinectis a motion-controlled fighting game developed by Spike Chunsoft andpublished by Namco Bandai Games(both notable Japanese companies, it should be noted). Released in October 2012 for the Xbox 360, it utilizes the Kinect motion-sensing device to allow players to physically perform various combat moves and actions seen in the anime series. Motion control was obviously the main draw for the game. However, the game also featured a decent story mode, score attack mode, and featured over 50 playable characters. As a bonus, there was an AR card game that players could use to unlock additional characters and power-ups (all one would need to do is scan the QR code on the Kinect).
The gameplay revolves around the player standing in front of the Kinect sensor and performing physical movements to control their character. Players engage in one-on-one battles against opponents, executing combos and special moves by mimicking the actions they want their character to perform. The game relies heavily on the accuracy of the Kinect sensor to track these movements and translate them into the game (which was hit-or-miss for most players). Ultimately,Dragon Ball Z: For Kinectreceivedmixed reviews. While the concept of using motion controls to performDragon Ball Zmoves was praised for its novelty and potential for immersive gameplay, the execution was often criticized. Common complaints included issues with the Kinect sensor’s accuracy, repetitive gameplay, and limited depth compared to traditional fighting games.
Why Wasn’t This Released in Japan?
The reason for the lack of release in Japan was not because of quality, but rather because of the platform itself. The XBox 360 simply wasnever a huge seller in Japan. While the Kinect may have sold over 24 million units worldwide, it is reported that in Japan the Kinect sold a mere 26,000 units in its first week (and later sales numbers weren’t much better). If one assumed every Kinect owner in Japan bought a copy ofDragon Ball Z: For Kinectat an average price of $70 (typically what games over there sell for), that would be a profit of roughly $1.8 million. Now, that sounds like a lot of money, but it’s really not much when you factor in the costs of pressing the discs, the packaging, the shipping, and the marketing.
Also factor in that this number is only possible if EVERY Kinect owner in Japan bought the game, and the chances of the game making any real money were slim to none! Ultimately, that meant it just didn’t make financial sense to even attempt a release. None-the-less, the international releases contained the Japanese audio track for those who wanted to import it. While it is strange that Japan never saw this release, what makesDragon Ball Z: For Kinectsuch a stand-out release is that it showed thatDragon Ball Zhad gained enough worldwide fame that the Japanese could develop a gameexclusively for the international marketand make it a success without an origin release. Such is the power of Akira Toriyama’s creation.
Dragon Ball Z
Cast
Dragon Ball Z is a Japanese anime series produced by Toei Animation and a sequel to the 1986 Dragon Ball series. It continues the adventures of Son Goku as an adult while also paralleling the life of his son Gohan. Son Goku typically defends the Earth from villains like Vegeta, Frieza, Cell, and Majin Buu. The series is followed by Dragon Ball GT and then Dragon Ball Super.
