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Dragonball Z fighting comes to Game Boy Advance.
With Webfoot Technologies currently working on DBZ: Buu’s Fury, Atari went with developer Banpresto for their second attempt at a portable DBZ fighting game. Perhaps another reason for the change in developer is that although Webfoot’s Legacy of Goku games have been well received by the media, its attempt at portable DBZ fighting, DBZ: Taiketsu, was almost universally panned. Whatever the reason, DBZ fans are sure to be happy that Banpresto took over development.
DBZ fans are in for a treat simply because of the number of characters present in Supersonic Warriors. These characters include really popular names like Goku, Gohan, Gotenks, Piccolo, Vegeta and Cell. Other characters are Majin Buu, Android #18, Dr. Gero, Frieza, Captain Ginyu, Trunks, and Krillin. There are two more unlockable characters, but you’ll need to figure out who they are. You can play through the story mode as one of these characters and unlock specific endings for them. Additionally, you can also play the game via a three on three tag team mode or hook up with a friend and play over the link cable.
The actual fighting is solid, if rather simple although that is to be expected given the GBA’s button limitations. The controls are rather simple really. The B button is your weak attack while the A button pulls double duty as both as the strong attack and block button. Each character has a special move that can be done by holding both attack buttons in conjunction with the R trigger. Although there will be a few who can skillfully use the system to pummel their opponents, most of us will happily mash the buttons and be amazed at the pretty combos that come as a result.
One of the series’ high points has always been its airborne battles. These are successfully recreated in Supersonic Warriors; actually most of the battles will primarily take place in the sky. It works quite well and faithfully recreates the series excitement because you can not only attack directly in front of you but you can also attack above and below.
The game’s visuals are awesome. The characters are sprite-based and extremely faithful to the show it is based on. They animate very well, as well. In addition, the various special effects that accompany special attacks look believable. The camera in Supersonic Warriors is excellent and always keeps up with the action and zooms in and out as necessary. The audio is a bit bland but still fits the on-screen action, though sound effects are limited to the mandatory groans.
Dragonball Z: Supersonic Warriors is pleasurable portable fighting game, which when combined with the white-hot DBZ license, makes for an entertaining GBA title. -- Jose Liz, PGNx Media
---- Jul 1, 2004
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