Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Dragon Ball Z: The Legacy of Goku adopts a classic action-RPG framework, blending exploration with real-time combat. You guide Goku through an interconnected world map, entering towns, dungeons and arena stages where battles take place. Movement and interaction are handled via intuitive button presses, while combat transitions seamlessly when you encounter enemies on the field.

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Combat itself offers a variety of attacks drawn directly from the anime. You’ll chain basic melee combos, unleash ki blasts, and charge up your energy for devastating special moves like the Kamehameha. As you progress, Goku learns more powerful techniques, allowing you to build a versatile move set—perfect for taking on both grunts and named villains. Resource management comes into play through your health (HP) and ki meters, which you must replenish with items or short rest periods.

Character growth follows a straightforward leveling system. Defeating foes and completing objectives rewards you with experience points that bolster Goku’s strength, speed and ki capacity. There are also hidden capsules and upgrades scattered across Master Roshi’s Island and remote outposts, incentivizing exploration beyond the main path. While the linear story guides you from location to location, optional side encounters let you farm experience or uncover extra lore.

One unique twist is the in-game clock, which tracks your total playtime and challenges you to finish the adventure within roughly ten hours. This element adds mild replay value for completionists and speedrunners, though casual players can take their time without penalty. Overall, the gameplay loop is simple but satisfying—particularly for fans who want to feel like they’re stepping into the shoes of Earth’s strongest defenders.

Graphics

For a Game Boy Advance title, The Legacy of Goku boasts surprisingly vibrant and detailed sprite work. Characters are instantly recognizable, with expressive poses and crisp animations for punches, kicks and energy attacks. Background environments—ranging from lush island beaches to rocky wastelands—are rendered in bright, saturated palettes that evoke the feel of the animated series.

Zoomed-out exploration areas maintain clarity, while battle sequences shift to a closer perspective that highlights special moves. Fireballs streak across the screen with trailing particles, and shockwaves ripple through the air when Goku powers up. Though hardware limitations mean there’s occasional sprite flicker in crowded fights, the overall presentation remains smooth and engaging.

Cinematic cutscenes between major story beats present key moments in black-and-white panels, giving the narrative a manga-like flair. These static images are accompanied by text dialogue that captures character personalities without overwhelming you with walls of text. The combination of dynamic battle visuals and stylized story panels bridges the gap between gameplay and the source material.

While the game doesn’t feature 3D models or voice acting, its pixel-based artistry is both nostalgic and functional. Each chapter introduces new locales with distinct color schemes, preventing the world from feeling repetitive. For a cartridge-based handheld title, the graphics succeed in bringing the Dragon Ball universe to life in a portable format.

Story

The plot kicks off with a harrowing kidnapping: Gohan, Goku’s young son, has been taken by mysterious foes, and it’s up to you as Goku to rescue him. This premise propels you through a series of battles and reunions that mirror the early arcs of the Dragon Ball Z saga. Along the way, you encounter eccentric allies—like the pervy Master Roshi—and deadly adversaries who test your courage and power.

Story delivery relies on in-game dialogue and stylized cutscene panels. Conversations are concise, ensuring that even younger players can follow along, while still dropping enough fan-service references to satisfy longtime enthusiasts. As you travel from Roshi’s Island to remote mountains and far-flung battlefields, you’ll pick up character insights and backstory tidbits that enrich the world without bogging down the pace.

Key moments—such as the first confrontation with Raditz or the showdown against Vegeta—are presented with dramatic flair. The tension ramps up gradually, building to one-on-one duels that capture the feel of distance-based clashes and close-quarters brawling from the anime. While the narrative is linear, the impression of a living, breathing universe comes through in the varied environments and roster of supporting characters you meet.

Ultimately, the story spans roughly ten hours, a tight runtime that keeps momentum high. If you’re hungry for more lore or deeper character interactions, you might find the pacing brisk, but for many players, the streamlined approach is a welcome tribute to the core DBZ experience. The developers strike a balance between fan service and gameplay progression, ensuring that neither element overshadows the other.

Overall Experience

Dragon Ball Z: The Legacy of Goku delivers a compact yet gratifying adventure for fans and newcomers alike. Its marriage of accessible RPG mechanics with faithful anime combat creates an experience that feels both familiar and fresh. The ten-hour runtime and in-game clock make it ideal for handheld play sessions, whether you’re commuting or relaxing at home.

Despite its linear structure, the game offers moments of exploration and optional challenges that reward thorough players. Upgrading Goku’s stats and uncovering hidden capsules provide a sense of progression beyond simply advancing the story. The balance of melee combos and ranged energy attacks keeps combat engaging, and the difficulty curve is forgiving enough for younger audiences while still offering tests for seasoned players.

Graphically, the title maximizes the Game Boy Advance’s capabilities, delivering lively sprites and colorful backdrops that capture the spirit of the anime. The story, though concise, follows iconic DBZ plot beats with enough polish to stand on its own. Sound effects and music are upbeat and punchy, complementing action sequences without overwhelming the limited audio channels.

In the end, The Legacy of Goku stands as a solid handheld adaptation of the Dragon Ball Z universe. It may not break new ground in the RPG genre, but it delivers an enjoyable, nostalgia-laden journey that will satisfy fans eager to step into Goku’s boots. For anyone looking to relive early DBZ moments on the go, this title remains a worthwhile pick.

Retro Replay Score

5.5/10