Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Dragon Ball Z: Super Gokūden – Totsugeki-hen introduces a distinctive “interactive fighter” system that departs from the typical button-mashing conventions of its era. Instead of free-roaming fights, players pause the action at any time to access a command menu, where they program Son Goku’s sequence of moves—dash, kick, special attack, or block—before resuming combat. This strategic layer requires careful planning, as each action must be chosen with foresight to outmaneuver opponents.

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Combat encounters are strictly one-on-one, and every enemy has a specific attack pattern that you must learn and exploit. Timing is crucial: launching a strong Ki blast against an incoming punch or executing a well-timed block can turn the tide of battle. The menu-driven programming can feel methodical, almost like setting up a sequence of chess moves, which makes each fight a puzzle to solve rather than a reflex duel.

Outside of battle, the only interactive elements are dialogue choices that allow you to influence minor story branches. While these choices won’t drastically alter the main storyline, they do provide a sense of agency as Goku interacts with Bulma, rival fighters, and the world around him. For players seeking exploration or traditional platforming, the gameplay loop may feel sparse, but fans of tactical depth will appreciate the measured pacing.

Overall, the balance between strategic planning and real-time reaction defines the title’s unique appeal. Newcomers might find the system unconventional at first, but once you understand the rhythm of pausing, programming, and executing, the experience becomes an engaging test of anticipation and adaptation.

Graphics

For a mid-’90s SNES release, Super Gokūden – Totsugeki-hen boasts colorful, anime-inspired sprites that faithfully channel Akira Toriyama’s original art style. Son Goku, Bulma, and the series’ iconic villains are rendered with crisp outlines and expressive animations during dialogue sequences, giving each character personality despite the technical limitations of the hardware.

During battles, backgrounds are drawn from key locations in the early Dragon Ball saga—verdant forests, mountain clearings, and ancient ruins—providing a fitting stage for Goku’s encounters. Although parallax scrolling and detailed texture work are minimal, the environments capture the tone of the series and keep the focus squarely on dynamic character sprites.

Attack effects such as energy blasts, dashes, and impact flares are highlighted with bright flashes and screen shakes, delivering a satisfying sense of power whenever Goku or his adversaries connect. While the frame rate can dip slightly when multiple effects are on-screen, the overall presentation remains stable and evocative of the anime’s kinetic energy.

Story

Super Gokūden – Totsugeki-hen faithfully adapts the first volume of the Dragon Ball manga, placing you in the shoes of young Son Goku as he embarks on the quest for the Dragon Balls. From the moment he meets the resourceful Bulma to their first skirmishes with bandits and later the menacing Piccolo, the game walks you through Goku’s formative adventures with minimal deviation from the source material.

The narrative unfolds between battles, using text-based dialogue boxes combined with character portraits to convey relationships and motivations. You’ll follow Bulma’s strategic mind, experience Goku’s innocent wonder, and feel the rising tension as each battle draws him closer to his first true rival. Though the story chapters are linear, occasional menu choices allow you to decide how Goku responds in conversation or which route he takes on the map.

For fans of the original manga and early anime, the game offers a concise retelling of classic moments, including Goku’s first taste of danger and the ominous presence of Piccolo. However, players unfamiliar with Dragon Ball lore may find the storytelling brisk and heavy on exposition without the benefit of animated cutscenes or voice acting.

Overall Experience

Dragon Ball Z: Super Gokūden – Totsugeki-hen stands as a niche but memorable entry in the SNES library. Its hybrid of strategic menu commands and real-time combat offers a fresh take on fighting games, trading frenetic button combos for thoughtful anticipation. This design choice makes each fight feel like a mini-boss puzzle and reinforces the narrative weight of Goku’s early journey.

Graphics and sound design serve the story and strategy without flashy frills. Fans will recognize signature locations and attacks immediately, while newcomers can appreciate the clear presentation and straightforward battle feedback. Although the lack of free movement and limited branching choices can make the experience feel constrained, these very limitations focus your attention on mastering each encounter.

In the end, Super Gokūden – Totsugeki-hen excels as a faithful manga adaptation with a unique combat system that rewards learning and adaptability. If you’re a Dragon Ball aficionado craving nostalgia or a strategy-oriented gamer curious about early interactive fighters, this title offers an engaging—and at times challenging—trip back to where Goku’s legend began.

Retro Replay Score

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