Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot Explained

Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot
Developer:CyberConnect2
Publisher:Bandai Namco Entertainment
Series:Dragon Ball
Genre:Action role-playing, fighting
Engine:Unreal Engine 4
Director:Akihiro Anai
Modes:Single-player

is an action role-playing game developed by CyberConnect2 and published by Bandai Namco Entertainment, based on the Dragon Ball franchise. It was released for PlayStation 4, Xbox One and Windows in January 2020, Nintendo Switch in September 2021, Stadia in October 2021, PlayStation 5 in January 2023, and Xbox Series X/S in February 2023. The game follows the main protagonist Goku and the Z-Fighters throughout the events of the Dragon Ball Z anime, including anime-original storylines and moments.[1]

The game received generally mixed reviews upon release. The game has sold over copies worldwide as of July 2024.

Gameplay

Kakarot is primarily an action role-playing game with fighting game elements. The player can battle opponents and do activities like fishing, collecting Z orbs, eating, driving in a hover car, training, and putting characters in soul emblems.[2] The game's plot follows the progression of the anime series, as the player interacts with the surrounding world as the different playable characters. Players can explore the world and complete side quests to progress the story. The game is broken up into four storylines: the Saiyan Saga, the Frieza Saga, the Cell Saga (where the player acquires their hover car), and the Buu Saga.

Bonus storylines can be purchased as downloadable content; including a retelling of the Battle of Gods and the Resurrection 'F' storylines seen in Dragon Ball Super. A DLC original storyline set after the events of , featuring Future Trunks' confrontation with Babidi to prevent Majin Buu's awakening (a scenario briefly covered in both the Super Anime and Manga), was released on June 11, 2021.

There are seven playable characters in Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot that the player will guide throughout the story. These include Goku, Vegeta, Gohan, Piccolo, Future Trunks, Gotenks, and Vegito.[3] As the player progresses through the game, they will unlock new characters to play.

In addition to the playable characters, the player is able to select two supporting characters to aid in their battle each with their own special moves. These characters include Krillin, Yamcha, Tien Shinhan, Chiaotzu, Android 18, Goten, and Kid Trunks.[4]

The bosses that appear in-game include Raditz, Nappa, Vegeta, Cui, Dodoria, Zarbon, Ginyu Force, Frieza, Android 19, Android 20, Android 18, Android 17, Cell, Cell Jr., Pui Pui, Yakon, Dabura, Majin Vegeta, Majin Buu, Super Buu, Kid Buu, Beerus and Mira.[4], an original character designed by Dragon Ball creator Akira Toriyama for the game, also appears as a boss.[5]

Development

The game was announced in January 2019 via a trailer during Dragon Ball FighterZ World Tour Finals under the working title Dragon Ball Game: Project Z. Described as an action role-playing game, the game was said to be in development by CyberConnect2, known for their work on Asura's Wrath and Naruto Ultimate Ninja series, for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC through Steam.[6] [7] Although initially targeting 2019 release, the final title, Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot, and the early 2020 release window were announced during Microsoft's 2019 E3 conference.[8]

The game was released for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One consoles in Japan on January 16, and for all platforms in the west one day later on January 17, 2020.[9] [10] The Nintendo Switch version of the game was announced in June 2021, and released on September 24, 2021.[11] It includes the base game and "A New Power Awakens" DLC. Versions for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S were announced in September 2022, set to launch in 2023.[12] While the former saw a release on January 12 in Japan, and January 13 worldwide, the launch of Xbox Series X/S upgrade and its coinciding DLC was postponed to February 3 due to a game-breaking technical issue where the save data from the Xbox One version would not readily work with the Series XS version without converting it from the original version.[13]

Downloadable content

A downloadable content (DLC) season pass launched alongside the game in January 2020. In addition to a "Steaming-Hot Grilled Fish cooking item", the pass gradually added new modes and storylines over the course of the following year.

The first DLC for the game, titled A New Power Awakens - Part 1, was released on April 28, 2020. The DLC introduces transformations and characters seen in and covers the events of the movie.[14]

A free update was released on the October 27, 2020, which added Dragon Ball Card Warriors, a card battle mode with online multiplayer support. Service for the mode is planned to be shut down in 2023 with an offline version being planned to release following after the servers shut down.[15]

The second DLC, titled A New Power Awakens - Part 2, was released on November 17, 2020. The DLC introduces a new mode where players battle 1000 enemies, including Golden Frieza, and is based on the events of .

The final DLC of the season pass, Trunks: The Warrior of Hope, was released on June 10, 2021.[16] The DLC adds a new storyline set in Future Trunks' timeline seen in as well as an extra saga featuring Babidi and Dabura, briefly covered in Dragon Ball Z: Shin Budokai - Another Road and the manga version of Dragon Ball Super.[17]

During Tokyo Game Show 2022, a second season pass with three DLCs was announced for the game along with a free next-gen update for PS5 and Xbox Series X/S users. The first DLC, Bardock: Alone Against Fate, was released on January 13, 2023, and covers the events of along with a side story focusing on an infant Vegeta.[18] The second, The 23rd World Tournament, adds a new "Ground Battle" mode covering the Piccolo Jr. saga of the original Dragon Ball anime.[19] The third and final part, Goku's Next Journey, cover the battle between Goku and Uub, and was released in February 2024.[20]

Reception

Kakarot received "mixed or average" reviews for the Windows, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One versions and "generally favorable" reviews for the Switch and PlayStation 5 versions according to review aggregator Metacritic. IGN Michael Saltzman gave Kakarot a score of 7, praising its combat and story presentation, but criticized its poor RPG elements.[21]

Kakarot was awarded 7/10 in GameSpot review, with Heidi Kemps saying that its "modern, semi-open approach to telling the saga of DBZ - despite some minor issues - is a good one." Kemps concluded that "[i]f you're looking for an enjoyable way to see the life and times of adult Goku through a new perspective, Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot will grant your wish."[22]

The game was the second best-selling game during its first week on sale in Japan, with 89,537 copies being sold, behind .[23] In the United Kingdom, Kakarot debuted at number one on the sales chart.[24]

In a conference call, Bandai Namco revealed that the game sold over 1.5 million copies worldwide in its first week release, rendering it a commercial success.[25] [26] By March 2020, the game had sold over copies worldwide, combining total shipments and digital sales.[27] By December 2021, it had sold over 4.5 million copies worldwide.[28] Total shipments and digital sales surpassed 8 million units worldwide by July 2024.[29]

Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot was the best-selling game of January 2020 in the United States, and had the third highest-selling launch month for a game in the Dragon Ball franchise, behind Dragon Ball FighterZ and .[30]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot Will Cover The Cell Saga And Filler Material, Including The Fan-Favourite Driving Test Episode. GameSpot. 2019-08-20. August 19, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190819024436/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/dragon-ball-z-kakarot-will-cover-the-cell-saga-and/1100-6469183/. live.
  2. Web site: BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment America – More fun for everyone!. www.bandainamcoent.com. 2020-04-18. September 1, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190901132339/https://www.bandainamcoent.com/games/dragon-ball-z-kakarot. live.
  3. Web site: All Playable Characters in Dragon Ball Z Kakarot Guide. 2020-01-18. Gamer Tweak. 2020-04-18. October 21, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201021012359/https://gamertweak.com/dragon-ball-z-kakarot-playable-characters-list/. live.
  4. Web site: All Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot Playable Characters, Support, and Bosses - Full List - Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot Guides - Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot. Simone. Games Atlas. January 16, 2020 . 2020-04-18. May 6, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200506121259/https://www.gamesatlas.com/dragon-ball-z-kakarot/guides/dragon-ball-z-kakarot-characters. live.
  5. Web site: All-new character Bonyu will debut in Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot. Moyse. Chris. Destructoid. 22 August 2019. September 20, 2019. October 28, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201028212046/https://www.destructoid.com/all-new-character-bonyu-will-debut-in-dragon-ball-z-kakarot-564526.phtml. live.
  6. Web site: Dragon Ball Project Z Game Revealed, Check Out The First Trailer. GameSpot. 2019-08-20. August 20, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190820181649/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/dragon-ball-project-z-game-revealed-check-out-the-/1100-6464615/. live.
  7. Web site: It's Cell Saga Time in the Latest Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot Trailer. Luster. Joseph. Crunchyroll. 20 August 2019. 2019-08-20. August 20, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190820182101/https://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-news/2019/08/20/its-cell-saga-time-in-the-latest-dragon-ball-z-kakarot-trailer. live.
  8. Web site: Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot launches early 2020. Gematsu. June 9, 2019. October 26, 2021. October 26, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211026114349/https://www.gematsu.com/2019/06/dragon-ball-z-kakarot-launches-early-2020. live.
  9. Web site: Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot launches January 17, 2020 in the west. Gematsu. September 11, 2019. September 20, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190920160207/https://gematsu.com/2019/09/dragon-ball-z-kakarot-launches-january-17-2020-in-the-west. live.
  10. Web site: BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment America – More fun for everyone!. www.bandainamcoent .com. 2019-08-20. September 1, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190901132339/https://www.bandainamcoent.com/games/dragon-ball-z-kakarot. live.
  11. Web site: Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot + A New Power Awakens Set coming to Switch on September 24. Gematsu. June 15, 2021. October 26, 2021. October 26, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211026114350/https://www.gematsu.com/2021/06/dragon-ball-z-kakarot-a-new-power-awakens-set-coming-to-switch-on-september-24. live.
  12. Web site: Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot Is Getting A PS5/Xbox Series XS Upgrade And New Story DLC. Darryn. Bonthuys. GameSpot. September 16, 2022. September 17, 2022. September 16, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220916222427/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/dragon-ball-z-kakarot-is-getting-a-ps5-xbox-series-x-s-upgrade-and-new-story-dlc/1100-6507590/. live.
  13. Web site: Dragon Ball Z Kakarot 'next gen' delayed on Xbox X Series and Xbox Series S "due to a technical issue". Borja. Ruete. Diario AS. January 13, 2023. January 16, 2023. January 15, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230115222613/https://en.as.com/meristation_en/2023/01/14/news/1673652275_026267.html. live.
  14. Web site: Dragon Ball Super DLC Is Coming To Kakarot RPG This Spring. GameSpot. 2020-04-18. June 10, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200610083127/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/dragon-ball-z-kakarots-dragon-ball-super-dlc-is-ou/1100-6475062/. live.
  15. Web site: Tu. Trumann. Dragon Ball Card Warriors is Shutting Down. GameRant. September 11, 2023. December 10, 2022. July 15, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230715162659/https://gamerant.com/dragon-ball-card-warriors-shut-down-when/. live.
  16. Web site: DRAGON BALL Z: KAKAROT - TRUNKS - THE WARRIOR OF HOPE on Steam. August 11, 2022. August 11, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220811023608/https://store.steampowered.com/app/1144582/DRAGON_BALL_Z_KAKAROT__TRUNKS__THE_WARRIOR_OF_HOPE/. live.
  17. Web site: Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot – Next DLC Features Brand New Story Arc. 2020-11-23. October 9, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231009180519/https://gamingbolt.com/dragon-ball-z-kakarot-next-dlc-features-brand-new-story-arc. live.
  18. Web site: Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot DLC '-Bardock- Alone Against Fate' launches January 13, 2023. December 13, 2022. July 26, 2023. July 26, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230726025358/https://www.gematsu.com/2022/12/dragon-ball-z-kakarot-dlc-bardock-alone-against-fate-launches-january-13-2023. live .
  19. Web site: Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot DLC 'The 23rd World Tournament' – 'Ground Battle' trailer. July 13, 2023. July 26, 2023. July 15, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230715022205/https://www.gematsu.com/2023/07/dragon-ball-z-kakarot-dlc-the-23rd-world-tournament-ground-battle-trailer. live .
  20. Web site: Pineda. Rafael. Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot Game Reveals 'Goku's Next Journey' DLC. Anime News Network. January 29, 2024. January 28, 2024. January 29, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240129022256/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2024-01-28/dragon-ball-z-kakarot-game-reveals-goku-next-journey-dlc/.206958. live.
  21. Web site: Saltzman. Mitchell. 2020-01-21. Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot Review. 2023-12-02. IGN. June 27, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210627010442/https://www.ign.com/articles/dragon-ball-z-kakarot-review. live.
  22. Web site: Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot Is An Early Success. GameSpot. 2020-02-11. October 9, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231009180459/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/dragon-ball-z-kakarot-is-an-early-success-so-far/1100-6473540/. live.
  23. Web site: Romano. Sal. January 22, 2020. Famitsu Sales: 1/13/19 – 1/19/20. Gematsu. January 22, 2020. January 23, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200123164450/https://www.gematsu.com/2020/01/famitsu-sales-1-13-19-1-19-20. live.
  24. News: UK Sales Charts: Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot Goes Super Saiyan with Number One Debut. 24 January 2020. Push Square. Gamer Network. 20 January 2020. January 27, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210127134427/https://www.pushsquare.com/news/2020/01/uk_sales_charts_dragon_ball_z_kakarot_goes_super_saiyan_with_number_one_debut. live.
  25. Web site: Dragon Ball Z Kakarot Sales Surpass 1.5 Million in Its First Week, Bandai Namco Announces. 2020-02-10. February 10, 2020. June 16, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210616043307/https://wccftech.com/dragon-ball-z-kakarot-sales-1-5-million/. live.
  26. Web site: Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot Sells Over 1.5 Million in First Week. SCREENRANT. February 10, 2020. February 11, 2020. June 16, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210616043012/https://screenrant.com/dragon-ball-z-kakarot-sales-first-week/. live.
  27. Web site: Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot shipments and digital sales top two million. 2020-03-10. Gematsu. March 11, 2020. June 16, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210616043134/https://www.gematsu.com/2020/03/dragon-ball-z-kakarot-shipments-and-digital-sales-top-two-million. live.
  28. Web site: 2022-01-02. CyberConnect2 to announce new game in February. 2022-01-03. Gematsu. January 2, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220102214429/https://www.gematsu.com/2022/01/cyberconnect2-to-announce-new-game-in-february. live.
  29. Web site: Romano. Sal. Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot shipments and digital sales top eight million. Gematsu. July 4, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240704214637/https://www.gematsu.com/2024/07/dragon-ball-z-kakarot-shipments-and-digital-sales-top-eight-million. July 4, 2024. July 4, 2024. live.
  30. Web site: January 2020 NPD: Even Goku can't rescue game spending. Jeff. Grubb. February 14, 2020. February 15, 2020. VentureBeat. February 15, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200215091519/https://venturebeat.com/2020/02/14/january-2020-npd-even-goku-cant-rescue-game-spending/. live.

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot".

Except where otherwise indicated, Everything.Explained.Today is © Copyright 2009-2024, A B Cryer, All Rights Reserved. Cookie policy.