Arc System Works translates the Dragon Ball universe into a spectacular 2D fighter with animation stunningly faithful to the anime. The three-on-three team battles are fast and readable, welcoming to newcomers yet rewarding mastery.
Your verdict
Category
Fighting2 players12+
Description
Dragon Ball's heroes clash in three-fighter teams in duels faithful to the anime. Published by Bandai Namco, released worldwide in 2018. Tag-switching between fighters, combos easy to start yet deep, signature attacks and staging true to the manga.
Dragon Ball FighterZ review
MAX
Art direction
★★★★★
"Iconic"
4/5
Music
★★★★★
"Excellent"
2/5
Story
★★★★★
"Classic"
Every Dragon Ball fan's dream: cel-shading so faithful you'd swear you were playing inside Toriyama's anime. Blazing energy effects, comic deformations and manga-worthy framing erase the line between cutscene and fight, for a flawless visual tribute.
Gameplay
"Masterful"
Seeing every signature attack recreated frame for frame is enough to hook you, but it's in play that the mechanics reveal their depth: three-on-three duels chain assists, tag-ins and nervy momentum swings, simple on the surface yet genuinely deep for the committed. The generous roster delights fans and competitors alike. On Switch the experience stays solid, even if the online scene has thinned over time. For solo fun and local play, it's a fighter that has lost none of its fire.
Every fight feels like an anime episode in motion, clashes bursting into energy explosions faithful to the manga. Mastering aerial combos, assist switches and Dramatic Finishes demands precision and anticipation. The cel-shaded rendering magnifies a formidable technical readability, making each duel a show that's as accessible as it is demanding at high level.
Better with friends
Dragon Ball FighterZ turns versus into a spectacle: two players, teams of three and combos of outrageous visual flair that faithfully replay the anime. Competition mixes with showmanship, each player chasing the flashiest string to dazzle the other. The execution gap between regulars and newcomers can be stark, yet the joy of the show and the easy entry make it a go-to to relaunch with friends.
Is Dragon Ball FighterZ still worth playing in 2026?
Dragon Ball FighterZ still holds its rank as the most anime-faithful fighter ever made. Arc System Works captures every signature attack with a staging that blurs into the show itself. The three-on-three duels deliver snappy tags and a system that is accessible on the surface yet genuinely deep for the committed. The generous roster delights fans and competitors alike. On Switch the experience remains solid, even if the online scene has thinned over time. For solo play and matches among friends, it is a fighter that has lost none of its fire.
