Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Dragon Ball Z: Sagas delivers a straightforward brawler experience, letting players step into the shoes of six iconic Z-Fighters—Goku, Gohan, Piccolo and more—as they relive the Saiyan, Frieza and Cell Games sagas. Combat revolves around light and heavy attacks, aerial combos and energy blasts, offering a basic but satisfying framework that’s easy to pick up. Each hero handles similarly, though their signature moves add small strategic touches that reward experimentation.

As you battle through each chapter, you’ll collect Z-Coins to unlock new special abilities and learn extra combos. Capsules scattered around stages boost your health or Ki gauge, encouraging exploration beyond the straight path. These collectibles add a welcome sense of progression, giving motivation to revisit levels and polish your attack chains as you race to face each saga’s infamous boss.

The title features three single-player difficulty levels—Story, Battle and Legend—that escalate enemy health and aggression. For those craving cooperative chaos, every chapter can be tackled in two-player co-op, though enemies hit harder and bosses gain new attack patterns. While co-op mode shines in local play, matchmaking options are limited, so team up with a friend for the most enjoyment.

Graphics

Sagas opts for realistic proportions and environments rather than strict cel-shading, giving character models a solid, sculpted look. While faces and costumes faithfully echo the anime—right down to Goku’s orange gi and Vegeta’s armor—textures can appear soft and blurry on close inspection. Outfits lack the dynamic wrinkles and vibrant outlines found in later Dragon Ball titles.

Stages span rocky landscapes, Capsule Corp interiors and the craggy Frieza’s planet, each offering a sense of place that fans will recognize instantly. Backgrounds are functional rather than breathtaking, but large arenas provide ample space for chasing foes across floating rocks and crumbling pillars. Environmental detail is modest, and repeated textures become noticeable on extended play sessions.

Energy effects—Kamehameha waves, Galick Guns and ki blasts—glow with solid color and simple particle trails. Animations can feel a touch stiff compared to modern baselines, particularly in flight and tumble states, but boss encounters turn up the visual flair with dramatic camera angles and stage-shaking super attacks. Occasional frame drops surface when multiple explosions erupt, reminding players of the game’s mid-2000s roots.

Story

Dragon Ball Z: Sagas retells the beginning of the Z-Warrior era, marching through the Raditz ambush, the Namek voyage and the climactic Cell Games. Each chapter hits the major plot beats—Gohan’s hidden potential, Frieza’s final stand, Cell’s twisted tournament—providing a brisk, nostalgia-driven recap for longtime admirers. Dialogue is minimal, but essential moments are highlighted with short cutscenes.

Cutscenes rely primarily on still images, subtitle text and voice snippets taken from the show, rather than fully animated sequences. While this approach keeps storytelling lean, it can leave newcomers wanting more emotional depth. Longtime fans will appreciate the faithful recreation of iconic lines and musical cues, but those expecting a novel narrative experience may find it perfunctory.

Pacing is generally tight: stages tend to last 5–10 minutes, and transitions between battles are swift. Optional side missions and hidden capsules incentivize exploration, but don’t significantly alter the main narrative arc. Overall, Sagas succeeds as a fan-service package solidifying the core DBZ storyline, even if it doesn’t add bold new twists to the lore.

Overall Experience

Dragon Ball Z: Sagas offers a competent retelling of the franchise’s early milestones, coupling accessible combat with collectible-based progression. Though it lacks the visual polish and depth of later entries, it remains a serviceable action adventure for diehard fans seeking to play through Saiyan, Frieza and Cell arcs. The steady build of new moves and co-op battles grant replay value beyond a single run.

Repetition can set in after mastering each hero’s move list, and the camera sometimes hesitates during aerial skirmishes. However, the satisfaction of landing a fully charged Kamehameha or sneaking into Capsule Corp’s armory provides moments of genuine fun. The local co-op mode is the game’s strongest hook, transforming solo grind into shared tabletop showdowns worthy of shouting “Kame…hame…” at your TV.

If you’re looking for a lavish retelling of Dragon Ball Z with deep mechanics and stunning visuals, you might find Sagas a bit dated. But as an entry-level DBZ game that encapsulates the thrill of leveling up, unleashing iconic attacks and duking it out with legendary foes, it hits the mark. Longtime enthusiasts and casual button-mashers alike will find something to enjoy in this nostalgia-charged adventure.

Retro Replay Score

5.9/10