Dragon Ball Z: The Legacy of Goku

"We waited and Infogrames answered our call, so was it worth the wait?"

I was one of those people who pestered gaming magizines and internet sites about when a Dragon Ball Z game was coming out. I was one of those people who searched every video game store for a copy of Dragonball Final Bout. I was one of those people who eventuly imported Dragonball Legends because I couldnt find Final Bout. And I was also one of those people who waited for an english DBZ game when it was annouced a year ago. Enter ''Dragonball Z: The Legacy of Goku.'' It is a pretty good game, but I think they could have done a lot better.

Graphics- 7 out of 10
Bandai has always had a reputation of showing great introductions of DBZ so when I put the cartridge in my GBA I was wowed at the amazing intro, because it was done in FMV.Good job webfoot for keeping up with the tradition:) There are also scenes through out the game that show FMV but only about 2 more. The in-game graphics are rather cool as well seeing show favorites as Gohan, Vegeta, and Piccolo- all super-deformed and cute looking. Goku's ki moves each have a frame of animation as he shoots a blast it reflects on his face . Though I seen better backgrounds, everything looks pretty well on the gameboy advance.

Sound- 9 out of 10
The sound in the game shocked me. The music was enjoyable and hearing Goku shout ''Kamehameha!'' or Vegeta scream ''I am the greatest of all Saiyans!'' kept bringing a smile to my face. But sadly this is the best part of the game. And the Music isnt remeber-able when you put the game down. Still, its good to the ears, especially with headphones.

Control- 8 out of 10
Pretty easy to pick up: a Goku punches, B he shoots a Ki blast. L-shoulder is switching through Ki attacks and R-shoulder is flying. But I wish Goku could walk a little faster and move diagonally. My left thumb hurt after a while because of it and it shouldnt be that way. Nothing to much to complain but it can get annoying when you are use to games where you could walk diagonally.

Story- 3 out of 10
I hated the fact that the developers butchered up a story and leaving out key moments. Everything about the story is rushed. King Kai is the one that teaches you Kamehameha, not Roshi. They don't show where Gohan headbutts Raddiz, and we dont even see Vegeta's death. The games downfall begins.

Gameplay- 4 out of 10
Goku one of the strongest/ if not strongest, hero in the world has to face an enemy that no-one could have seen coming. A Crab!!! But lets not stop there, their is also squirrels, snakes, and wolves. This game should have been rated teen for animal cruelty. Now I would have liked to fight different kinds of dinos than a wolf--because thats just silly. Good thing its not like that the whole game.
I was most dissapointed that you could only play as Goku. WHY!? I understand he is the main charcter in Dragonball but I know a certain Vegeta fan or Piccolo fan is going to want to play as someone else. makes more sense and would have made this game longer too! It took me 3 hours and 45 mintures to complete the whole thing,sidequests, getting highest level, all of it. Now I understand that it might take someone longer to complete it, but i was playing causually, taking my time. Also the exciting parts of the game are heck of alot shorter than the long and drawn out boring parts and those boring parts had nothing to do with the story. The story is mixed in too, as they dont have any kind of intermission between the Vegeta and namek. Its basically you beat Vegeta- a pic of Goku in the capsule space ship- you are on namek. No training, no Vegeta fighting Zarbon or Gohan and Krilian facing off against Didoral or them getting stranded on another planet. Also, there is only three ki attacks in the whole game-WHAT!!!- there is the ki blast, the solar flare, and Kamehameha. Then there is the cpu A.I which isnt very smart. Bosses have the same routine as all they do is run to punch you and occasionally throw a Ki blast. Bottom line is; if this wasnt Dragonball Z I woudnt have as much fun with it as if it was anything else. Shame that its gameplay has to be medicore because it could be a heck of alot better.

Replay value- 2 out of 10
Ugh, the big bummer. I wanted to play the whole game again with someone-else, or a Goku being super-saiyan but alas, Nothing. After I finshed it I had no intentions of playing it again. I think the same will happen to you.

Overall- 6 out of 10
It is fun,besides the gripes, while it lasts. And may give you something to do from times to come. If you are wondering if you should buy it I have some advice:
1) If you a die-hard fan, like me, who's searched for Final Bout just because it was DBZ then go out and buy it. This game is better than final Bout.
2)If your just a causal fan and another game is on your mind- go out and buy that game first.
3) Adventure who's never heard of DBZ, since I havent seen a place where you can rent GBA games, borrow it instead to see if you like it

Infact thats kinda the bottom line, borrow it you can, and make your decision from thier. I would like to thank Infogrames for finally releasing an American DBZ title. But Inforgrames, I hope you do a much better job(More than one playable charcter, faster moving, the story more intact, and a 2player Co-op mode would be nice and decent replay value) on the next Legacy of Goku game. Maybe one day some company will make a great DBZ game. It gotta happen....

Reviewer's Score: 6/10, Originally Posted: 05/18/02, Updated 05/18/02