Platform: Super Famicom (Super Nintendo)
Size: Unknown. 16 Meg.
Supports: Requires a SNES-Super Famicom converter or modified SNES deck.
DRAGONBALL Z II is the sequel to DRAGONBALL Z, a Japanese one on one fighting game based on the popular Anime (Japanese Animation) of the same name. DRAGONBALL Z II, while being a fighting cart, is completely dissimilar to STREET FIGHTER II or MORTAL KOMBAT, with a play style that I have seen nowhere else.
DRAGONBALL Z II is centered around Son Gohan, the young son of Son Goku, the monkey god of Japanese mythology. The story is basically that of Son Gohan and his allies fight against Cell, a genetically engineered creature designed to destroy Goku and his friends, and two mysterious aliens, Zangja and Bowjack, who are apparently working for Cell. Behind the scenes is Brawley, whom you can only fight under certain circumstances. You can fight in three modes, Story, VS and Tournament. The Story mode is a series of conversations and uncontrolled actions, separated by choices and combat. Win a fight and you will take a different path than if you fail, these fights build to a climactic battle with Brawly, assuming that you play at a high difficulty setting and don't lose much. In story mode you can choose from Son Gohan, Piccolo, Trunks, and Vegita. In VS and Tournament modes, you can use all 8 characters, Son Gohan, Piccolo, Trunks, Vegita, Cell, Cell Jr., Zangja, and Bowjack. A code allows you access to Son Goku and Brawly in the VS and Tournament modes.
The game is very involving, and demands fast reflexes, a fighting strategy, and the ability to predict your enemy's attacks. The control takes some getting used to. DRAGONBALL Z II doesn't play like most fighting games, which also takes some getting used to, but it's also DRAGONBALL's strongest point. It also has some interesting features not found in most fighting games, which you should find enjoyable. The music, however, can get rather annoying at times, and the graphics could use some work.
The graphics have a distinctive comic-book look to them, which is appropriate considering DRAGONBALL Z started off as Manga (Japanese Comic Books). The backgrounds are detailed, but have little animation. Each character has a very distinctive look, and the characters are well drawn. The animation gets choppy at times. The sound effects are good, matching the Anime very well. Several of the musical scores are repetitive or annoying, which takes away from the game play. The graphics, while being very cool looking, are far from realistic. Considering the super-hero epic the game comes from, this isn't surprising.
Basic control is simple. You can walk back or forward, jump, duck, punch, kick and throw just like any other fighting game. The interesting control aspect is the flight capacity of your characters. Yes, flight. Pressing the X button takes your character to a second level of play, usually up in the clouds. You can also fly left and right, using the left and right buttons on the joypad. If your characters put enough distance between each other, the screen will split. From split screen distance only the Ultimate Energy attacks and fireball strikes will harm your opponent. Special move control is difficult, since the last joypad movement and the button press must be simultaneous, rather than consecutive. Ex. To throw a triple fir -ball with Trunks, you must roll the pad from down to back, and, the moment you reach back, simultaneously hit A.
In the story mode, you select one of four characters and take them on a quest to stop Cell, Brawley, and thier allies. You will be guided through a story (entirely in Japanese), in which you will be given various plot choices, and pitted against the other characters in climactic battles. During these encounters, you will fight your opponent in a large fighting area for a single round. There is no time limit. The fighting scenes are added to by Ultimate Power attacks, giant blasts of energy that must be fired when the screen is split. You can block these moves with special blocks, or you will take 1/4 of your life bar in damage. Combat consists of battling up close, striking from a distance, and avoiding your opponent's attacks. Unfortunately, on the higher levels, the CPU can be near-invincible, and at times rather cheap. The VS and Tournament modes are just combat sequences between two players, a player and the CPU or the CPU against itself. Combat follows the same rules as in story mode.
DRAGONBALL Z II is an enjoyable game, well worth the $80 cartridge cost and import fee. There is a great deal of replay value. Every time you play you'll figure out just one more plot point. It's one of the most original games I've played, and I have enjoyed my copy greatly. The ending, however is incomprehensible, one of the disadvantages of owning a Japanese game. Personally, I don't care, it's worth it to play something original.
The cinemas are of average quality. And the Tournament mode is a good touch, letting up to 8 people play without conflicts over playing order. I can't really comment on the manual, since I can't read it. The game is also full of tricks and secret features. Including: Secret characters, turbo mode, easy reset, and unlisted special moves.
I was quite impressed with DRAGONBALL Z II. I had high expectations due to all that I had read about it and the high price I paid. But I really wasn't expecting all the little touches that make this game really special. I really wish I could use the other characters in story mode, but the basic four are good enough. It is a really good game, and should have been released in the US. Unfortunately, this game probably never will.
If you are a fighting game addict like myself, you will be able to get the full enjoyment from this game. It's an impressive variation on the genre, and should challenge even the toughest die-hard gamer. If you can't stand not knowing what is going on in a game, then DRAGONBALL Z II is not for you. If you do purchase DRAGONBALL Z II, be sure to check AMERICA ON-LINE, COMPUSERVE and other on-line services for the translated documentation, or E-Mail me on AMERICA ON-LINE for the latest update. My screen name is ERMAC RED.
This review is Copyright (C) 1994 by S. Trent Troop for Game Bytes Magazine. All rights reserved.