'Dragonball Z Burst Limit' Review

Title: Dragonball Z: Burst Limit
Platform: Xbox 360
Genre: Fighting
Publisher: Atari
Release Date: June 10, 2008
Rating: 8.2

Dragonball Z: Burst Limit is a solid fighting game topped off with Voice Talent from the animated series and epic cut scenes. By then end of the Sayan Saga, you’ll ask yourself if you were playing a video game or watching a animated movie.

If you’re a “Dragonball Z” fan who has never played any DBZ games before, then this title is definitely one you will want to pick up. But be warned, this game comes with one major caveat. There is no Majin Buu. Yes. You may enter this game expecting Buu to be the final villain saga, but instead your stuck with Cell.

What’s even more frustrating is that the final character you would expect to play with isn’t even Goku or one of the Z heroes. Nope. When the credits start rolling, and you find yourself stuck with a puzzled look wondering if that is really the end of the game. Don’t fret. It really is the end of the game. Now, I won’t ruin it for you and tell you who the final boss is, just know it’s a definite design flaw. They should have just let the final boss be Perfect Cell. Oh well.

Both “Dragonball Z” and Non-Z fans will enjoy the fighting gameplay of this title. Atari has stayed true to the key “Dragonball Z” fighting elements, giving each character their own unique powers. As the characters grow older, their powers become more refined.

The graphics in Burst Limit are true to the animated series. Atari did a great job designing the game to reflect the “Dragonball Z” anime style.

Burst Limit introduces the addition of “Drama Pieces” game fighting. When a “Drama Piece” is activated, different effects happen to help boost your character’s chance of winning.

The designers chose to eliminate all the superfluous filler DBZ episodes. Unfortunately, if you’re not familiar with “Dragonball Z,” the story may seem incoherent to you, and some parts will simply not make any sense at all. For instance, you’ll never really understand what a Sayan is and why the heck do people call Goku Kakarot. Speaking of which, you may find yourself also wondering what a Super Sayan is. If you’ve guessed it’s a powered up Sayan with yellow hair, you’re right.

Z fans will quickly notice that there are a few story elements are out of place. For instance Vegita will be rooting for you during the Sayan saga, despite being an enemy. Also, at one point Vegita crushes his power level scouter, then he has it back on in the cut scene.

Regardless of the story’s inconsistencies, the cut scenes and drama sequences are AWESOME. Honestly, even if you know the “Dragonball Z” mythos, you’ll still find the cut scenes to be so overtly epic you’ll need do whatever it takes to stop your jaw from dropping in awe.

What’s awesome about this game is the character voices. Z fans will love hearing Voice Actors Christopher Sabat and Sean Schemmel reprise their roles as Goku and Vegita. Just be forewarned, don’t expect any great dialogue. The vulgarity level is capped off at “DARN IT” and “DARN YOU.” After a while, you’ll find the repetitiveness of these two lines to be more than annoying.

Getting to play as Z villains during plot lines when heroes die, is a definite plus. Just remember, you’ll never get to play as Majin Buu. Maybe Atari is saving that for a sequel?

The designers mixed in some cool movie moments for DBZ fans to watch between sagas. You’ll get a quick glimpse of Freezers return with his father Cooler by his side (have to love those DBZ names). You’ll also get a chance to play as the legendary super Sayan Broli and of course Goku’s father Bardock.

The online game play is easy to maneuver. Unlike other fighting games, you won’t have a problem figuring out how to setup a match.

If you’re looking for a solid fighting game with some epic cut scenes that make you feel like you’re watching an anime flick, then “Dragonball Z: Burst Limit” is for you.