Super DBZ

The second thing you'll notice is that the controls are simple and easy to pick up. You have two primary attack buttons (light and strong), a jump button (double tapping the jump allows you to float in the air), a block button, a throw button, a parry button, and two dash buttons.

Kick, Punch, It's All In The Mind
Additionally, you'll also notice that there are three separate bars onscreen which measure your health, action, and special gauges. While the health bar is self explanatory, the action bar measures how many times dash is available to you. If you over use your dash attacks, you'll be open to a pummeling. Special gauge allows you to pull off certain special attacks that require more extravagant amounts of Ki energy --such as a Super Kamehameha finisher.

Executing special moves is also a cinch for veteran gamers. All the basic Street Fighter movements are represented here. Goku, for example, shares many of his attacks with Street Fighter II's Ryu. Goku's Kamehameha move is executed by doing Ryu's fireball move and Goku can even pull off Shoryuken upper cut! But don't count Goku as a Ryu clone, because, as many Dragon Ball Z fans know, Goku can do way more than Ryu ever could dream of. Executing a fireball movement pattern with the jump button allows Goku to use his Instant Transmission technique to teleport behind his opponent for an easy unguarded attack. All of Goku's other trademark abilities are present too, including Kaioken (which sacrifices some health to fill up Goku's special gauge, Guided Kamehameha (which can be controlled in flight against stealthy opponents, and Goku can even Super Saiyan for a limited time.

Yam-Cha and Tien --M.I.A.?
Furthermore, you'll notice that the gameplay areas are rather vast, and are peppered with destructible objects (which can be used in a battle to dodge projectile blasts). While the game environments are big enough to lose your foes in, the gameplay engine keeps the combatants tightly engaged so you won't have any lulls in the action. Another nice touch is the multiple stages that can be uncovered by initiating a specific move. Why battle it out at King Emma's Palace when you can smash your foe through the clouds and finish the fight at the Home for Infinite Losers --lovely.

There really is only a single flaw which mars Super DBZ's gameplay --ground to midair collision detection. When one opponent is in the air and the other is on the ground there are instances when neither one of the combatants can land a single blow even though they're within striking distance of each other. It's a pain and looks really awkward to see the both fighters flailing about like playground kids and not landing a single distinguishing blow.

Ha-Do-Mehameha!
Even with this single, and very obscure caveat, Super DBZ is an awesome fighter which pays homage to the old school 2D arcade fighters of yore while also brining another engaging Dragon Ball title the PS2. IF you haven't owned any DBZ games before, this one is the one to pick up. If you're a diehard Budokai gamer, you might be surprised by the level of balance and quality Super DBZ sports compared to the other DBZ games. Either way, check Super DBZ out, it's really fun.

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