Dragon Ball has a long history in gaming, as countless games based on the popular anime have been released. Some have been fighters, others RPGs, and there has also been the occasional beat 'em up.
While there has been a range in genres, there's also been a range in quality, with not every Dragon Ball game living up to the excellence of the shows. However, there has been plenty of great Dragon Ball titles too, with the ten best (in Metacritic's eyes anyway) included in this list.
As some have different Metacritic scores based on what platform they're on, we've chosen the highest-rated version of each title.
10 Dragon Ball Z: Supersonic Warriors - 73
Living up to its name, Supersonic Warriors is one of the few Dragon Ball games that can match the anime's battles in terms of speed, as fights in this handheld game, play out at the frantic pace.
Although what really makes this title stand out is its wonderful story mode. A lot of Dragon Ball game stories fall into the trap of just retelling the story of the anime, Supersonic Warriors however, adds a delightful 'What if' element to theirs. Seeing Killian be the one to take down Buu or witnessing Piccolo bring back then fight Demon King Piccolo makes for a unique Dragon Ball narrative.
9 Dragon Ball Z: Attack Of The Saiyans - 73
Another handheld game here, although Attack of the Saiyans is very different from the last entry as it's a turn-based RPG and not a fighter. Dragon Ball has found success in the RPG genre with the release of multiple strong titles, and Attack of the Saiyans is no different.
Visually the 2d character models are charming, and the attack animations are brilliant. Although the game has more than just looks, as while it's not known for having the deepest combat system in the genre, the gameplay is still a lot of fun.
8 Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 3 - 73
Many regard Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 3 as the ultimate Dragon Ball game, yet it seems Metacritic doesn't quite agree, though it still makes the top ten.
It's easy to see why the game is so beloved by fans, as it's unbelievable character roster that boasts more than 150 fighters still hasn't been matched by any other game in the series. Also, it's Mission 100 mode includes a plethora of different teams of opponents to face and is an exciting and challenging experience to playthrough. Add in the game's great gameplay and presentation, and you have a title that deserves more than a 73.
7 Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 2 - 73
It's no surprise that Budokai Tenkaichi 2 comes just after its successor as there is not a whole lot of difference between the two titles. Like Tenkaichi 3, BT2 includes an incredible amount of characters (though not quite as much as the third game) as well as an arena gameplay style that allows you recreate the large scale battles you'd see in the anime.
Additionally, it has one of the best story modes in the franchise, as it features virtually all the major fights from Dragon Ball Z, GT, and the movies, which isn't always the case in Dragon Ball games.
6 Dragon Ball: Advanced Adventure - 75
Advanced Adventure is an example that it's possible to make a great Dragon Ball game outside of the fighter or RPG genres. This Game Boy Advance title is a very well crafted beat 'em up.
The highlight of the game is the story mode, where you take Goku (or potentially Krillin on further run-throughs) and playthrough his adventures from when he was a kid. Experiencing the original Dragon Ball series in a game isn't very common, as most of the franchise's games focus on DBZ, so it makes for an enjoyable change of pace. This enjoyment is enhanced by the fluidity of the side-scrolling combat regardless of whether you're taking on opponents on the ground or battling flying enemies while riding the Flying Nimbus.
5 Dragon Ball Z: The Legacy Of Goku II - 75
Watch any footage of The Legacy of Goku II and the gameplay will look simplistic, yet it is very satisfying and remains that way throughout the title. Being able to switch between a few diverse characters helps to keep the combat fresh.
The story focuses solely on the Android/Cell Saga, which allows for a thorough retelling, instead of just concentrating on the big moments. Also, it would be a crime not to mention the art style, as you can see from this entry's image it doesn't try to look like the anime, but it is still delightful.
4 Dragon Ball Z: Budokai 3 - 77
Ask any DBZ fan about their favorite Dragon Ball games and Budokai 3 will likely be one of the first titles they mention. For a long time, it set the bar for Dragon Ball games.
The title's adaptation of the Dragon Ball Z story is one of the most comprehensive seen in a game. It allows you to replay the story from the perspective of eleven different characters, making for eleven unique playthroughs. Budokai 3 also has an amazing customization system that allows players to tailor their favorite characters to their preferred play style. Obviously, all that wouldn't mean much if the gameplay was poor, but it still is one of the most enjoyable DBZ games to play.
3 Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2 - 78
Xenoverse 2 expanded on what its predecessor started to create one of the greatest Dragon Ball games in recent years.
What makes the Xenoverse series stand out the most is the ability to create your own character, something that is rarely seen in Dragon Ball games. Those creation options are deep in Xenoverse 2, allowing you to create either a human, a Saiyan, a Majin, a Namekian, or a member of Frieza's race. Then there is an abundance of powers, transformations (dependent on what race you picked), and clothes to equip them with. Xenoverse 2 is not just a one-trick pony though, as it also has a compelling narrative that your character is apart of, as well as decent combat and a fun expert mission mode.
2 Dragon Ball: Origins - 78
Like Advanced Adventure, Origins is one of the rare games to focus on the original Dragon Ball series. There is also plenty of uniqueness in its gameplay, from the use of the Nintendo DS's stylus to move and fight (which works surprisingly well) to the addition of Bulma helping Goku out in combat.
While the visuals aren't as good as some of the others on this list, they still look great for a DS game, especially during cutscenes. Despite the game's positives, it's still surprising that Origins is this high on the list with all the Dragon Ball games out there.
1 Dragon Ball FighterZ - 88
By a landslide, FighterZ is the highest-rated Dragon Ball game on Metacritic. It's not hard to see why either, as FighterZ can genuinely be considered one of the best fighting games on the market, and you don't need to be a DBZ fan to think so.
Whether you're battling players online or playing through the game's original story, the slick, fast-paced fighting is a joy to play. The visuals are equally as great as the gameplay as characters look just like they do in Dragon Ball Super. FighterZ truly earns its Metacritic score of 88.