The 15 Best Dragon Ball Games [2025 Edition]

By Otis East / September 8, 2025

Introduction

The best Dragon Ball games aren’t just tie-ins; they’re playable hype machines that make you feel like you can scream your way into Super Saiyan 2. For over three decades, Bandai Namco and friends have been pumping out titles that range from competitive esports staples to pure nostalgic chaos.

But let’s be real: not all Dragon Ball games are created equal. Some deserve to be locked in the Hyperbolic Time Chamber forever, while others define entire eras of anime gaming.

We ranked the top 15 by looking at:

Competitive scene longevity
Combat clarity and mechanics
Story faithfulness
Replay depth and DLC/mod ecosystem
Accessibility for newcomers

Whether you’re here for sweaty esports, giant arena spectacles, or just a faithful retelling of Goku vs. Vegeta, this list has you covered.

The 15 Best Dragon Ball Games (Ranked)

1. Dragon Ball FighterZ (2018)

Platform(s): PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Switch, PC
Why it’s great: The undisputed competitive king. Arc System Works blended Marvel vs. Capcom chaos with anime-perfect visuals in 3v3 battles. FighterZ isn’t just a game—it’s a tournament mainstay.
Who it’s for: Ranked warriors, lab monsters, and EVO dreamers who enjoy studying frame data as much as they enjoy landing a 30-hit combo.

2. Dragon Ball: Sparking! ZERO (2024)

Platform(s): PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC
Why it’s great: The Budokai Tenkaichi formula returns in glorious modern form. With massive rosters, destructible environments, and anime-faithful spectacle, ZERO brings fan service and competitive depth together.
Who it’s for: Arena brawlers, story enjoyers, and anyone who wants to actually feel like they’re in an episode of Z.

3. Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot (2020)

Platform(s): PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Switch, PC
Why it’s great: A semi-open world RPG that lets you live through the Z saga from Raditz to Buu. Exploration, RPG progression, and cinematic boss fights make this the most faithful “play the anime” experience.
Who it’s for: Loreheads, casual players, and anyone who secretly wished filler episodes were optional DLC.

4. Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2 (2016, still updated)

Platform(s): PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Switch, PC
Why it’s great: Time-travel fan service meets create-a-Saiyan chaos. Thanks to years of DLC and a still-active community, Xenoverse 2 refuses to die.
Who it’s for: Build crafters, co-op grinders, and modders who want to put Shaggy Ultra Instinct into canon.

5. Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 3 (2007)

Platform(s): PS2, Wii
Why it’s great: The holy grail of couch battles. BT3 packed over 150 characters and gave fans the ultimate playground before online multiplayer was mainstream. It’s the blueprint for ZERO.
Who it’s for: Old-school fans, emulator enjoyers, and anyone who still remembers blowing on a PS2 disc to make it work. Just be ready to spend a few hundred dollars on that bit of nostalgia.

6. Dragon Ball Z: Budokai 3 (2004)

Platform(s): PS2
Why it’s great: Tight 2.5D combat with branching story paths. For many, this was the first DBZ game that felt like the anime.
Who it’s for: Retro duelists and anyone who wants to play “What if Raditz was actually competent?”

7. Dragon Ball Z: Burst Limit (2008)

Platform(s): Xbox 360, PS3
Why it’s great: Gorgeous visuals, sharp combat, and surprisingly faithful story arcs. Criminally underrated.
Who it’s for: Mid-2000s anime fans who remember when 720p was “next-gen.”

8. Dragon Ball Legends (2018)

Platform(s): iOS, Android
Why it’s great: A mobile fighter that’s way deeper than it has any right to be. PvP, card mechanics, and cinematic supers make it a rare mobile win.
Who it’s for: Commuters, gacha grinders, and people who want Goku in their pocket.

9. Dragon Ball Z: Super Butoden 2 (1993)

Platform(s): SNES
Why it’s great: The 16-bit classic that introduced split-screen battles and cinematic special moves. A trailblazer for its time.
Who it’s for: Retro collectors and purists.

10. Dragon Ball Online (2010, Korea/Taiwan only)

Platform(s): PC
Why it’s great: The dream MMO. Although short-lived, it inspired Xenoverse and fan servers still keep it alive.
Who it’s for: Hardcore fans and MMO archaeologists.

11. Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Z – Xbox 360 (Renewed)

Platform(s): Xbox 360 (Renewed edition available via Amazon)
Why it’s great: A four-player co-op fighter that dared to try something new. While controversial for ditching 1v1 balance, its team battles and large-scale boss fights carved a niche.
Who it’s for: Squad players, collectors hunting the renewed physical edition, and fans who want to experiment with DBZ in a different format.

12. Dragon Ball Z: Supersonic Warriors 2 (2005)

Platform(s): GBA, DS
Why it’s great: Portable chaos with branching “what if” storylines. Perfect for school bus tournaments.
Who it’s for: Handheld nostalgics.

13. Dragon Ball GT: Final Bout (1997)

Platform(s): PS1
Why it’s great: The first 3D Dragon Ball fighter. Janky, yes. Historic, also yes.
Who it’s for: Retro warriors who don’t mind clunky mechanics.

14. Dragon Ball Z: Legacy of Goku II (2003)

Platform(s): GBA
Why it’s great: Action RPG brilliance. Play as multiple Z fighters with RPG progression—something fans still want in modern form.
Who it’s for: RPG lovers and handheld vets.

15. Super Dragon Ball Z (2006)

Platform(s): Arcade, PS2
Why it’s great: Developed by ex-Street Fighter devs, this one leaned into pure fighting mechanics instead of spectacle. A cult classic.
Who it’s for: Competitive purists and mechanics nerds.

Honorable Mentions

Dragon Ball Z: Budokai (2002) – The one that started the 3D console wave.
Dragon Ball Z: Extreme Butoden (2015, 3DS) – ArcSys on handheld.
Dragon Ball Z: Infinite World (2008) – Budokai’s swan song.

Buyer’s Guide: Which Dragon Ball Game Is For You?

For competitive ladder players: FighterZ still rules esports.
For anime spectacle: Sparking! ZERO is the modern Budokai Tenkaichi you dreamed of.
For story immersion: Kakarot nails the anime retelling.
For customization fans: Xenoverse 2 has endless builds and DLC.
For nostalgia seekers: Budokai Tenkaichi 3 or Legacy of Goku II.

FAQ

Q: Is Sparking! ZERO on current consoles?
Yes—launched October 2024 on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.

Q: Which Dragon Ball game has the biggest roster?
Budokai Tenkaichi 3 still holds the crown, but ZERO is close.

Q: Which one’s best for casuals?
Kakarot—it balances story, exploration, and accessibility.

Call to Action

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