Dragon Ball: Zenkai Battle Royal (Game) - Giant Bomb (2025)

Overview

Dragon Ball: Zenkai Battle Royale is a 3D sci-fi fantasy free-form fighting game developed and released by Namco Bandai for arcades (using PS3-based Namco System 357 hardware) exclusively in Japan on February 4, 2011. It was later renamed to Dragon Ball Z: Zenkai Battle Royale - Super Saiyan Kakusei on July 11, 2012, then renamed to Dragon Ball: Zenkai Battle on July 30, 2015.

A fighting game adaptation of the Dragon Ball manga and anime series, Zenkai Battle Royale features a over-the-shoulder free-form fighting style similar to the Cyber Troopers Virtual-On series. Along with one-on-one matches, the game utilizes two-on-two simultaneous multiplayer.

Along with linked-machine multiplayer (for up to four machines, one player per machine), the game features online multiplayer using ALL.Net. It is notable for being the first commercial fighting game to use GGPO netcode. Players can also store customizable characters, player stats, and rankings using a dedicated card reader system.

The game received numerous updates post-release, adding new characters, costumes, and game modes (such as free-for-all matches and a freeplay "Trial Mode"). It also features monthly events where players can unlock new player card accessories and character costumes. Some monthly events feature a new character, which is temporarily exclusive to those who find seven "Dragon Balls" (earned through winning special online matches).

While the game itself did not receive a home version, its gameplay is similar to those in Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Z, Dragon Ball Xenoverse, Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2.

Characters

The game included 10 playable characters on the initial game's release. An additional 38 playable characters and transformations were added post-release.

• Goku (normal, Super Saiyan version added on July 11, 2012, Super Saiyan God version added on March 21, 2013, Super Saiyan Blue version added on April 14, 2015, Super Saiyan 3 version added on July 30, 2015)
• Krillin
• Vegeta (normal, Super Saiyan version added on July 11, 2012, Super Saiyan 3 version added on July 30, 2015, Super Saiyan Blue version added on December 17, 2015)
• Frieza (final form, Golden form added on April 14, 2015)
• Piccolo
• Android #16
• Android #18
• Trunks (future timeline, future timeline post-training Super Saiyan version added on July 11, 2012)
• Nappa
• Cell (perfect form)
• Gohan (kid version, added on July 19, 2011, teen Super Saiyan 2 version added on July 11, 2012, adult "Ultimate" version added on April 3, 2014)
• Captain Ginyu (added on July 19, 2011)
• Android #17 (added on November 2, 2011)
• Dr. Gero (added on November 2, 2011)
• Tien (added on January 11, 2012)
• Dabura (added on January 11, 2012)
• Majin Buu (fat version, added on May 24, 2012, pure form added on August 1, 2013)
• Mr. Satan (added on May 24, 2012)
• Yamcha (added on October 11, 2012)
• Broly (Legendary Super Saiyan, added on October 11, 2012)
• Videl (added on December 19, 2012)
• Zarbon (added on December 19, 2012)
• Beerus (added on March 21, 2013)
• Gotenks (Super Saiyan, added on August 1, 2013)
• Bardock (added on December 11, 2013)
• Cooler (final form, added on December 11, 2013)
• Babidi (w/ Spopovich, added on April 3, 2014)
• Vegito (Super Saiyan, added on July 31, 2014)
• Janemba (transformed, added on July 31, 2014)
• Pikkon (added on December 4, 2014)
• Raditz (added on December 4, 2014)
• Supreme Kai (added on December 17, 2015)
• Turles (added on April 27, 2016)
• Whis (added on July 14, 2016)
• Master Roshi (added on September 29, 2016)
• Meta-Cooler (added on February 16, 2017)