Introduction to Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot
If you’ve ever dreamed of stepping into Goku’s shoes—flying through the skies, charging up a Kamehameha, or battling Frieza on Namek—Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot makes that fantasy feel real. Based on Akira Toriyama’s legendary anime, this game dives deep into the DBZ saga from a fresh, interactive perspective. Developed by CyberConnect2 and published by Bandai Namco, Kakarot isn’t just another fighting game—it’s an action RPG that lets you train, eat, fish, and fight like a true Saiyan warrior. Unlike arena brawlers, this one drops you right into the heart of the story—and it feels personal.
Gameplay Overview & Controls
The moment you drop into Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot, you’re in control of a warrior built for battle. Fights aren’t just button mashing—they flow. You’ll punch, kick, launch special attacks, or power up to launch a devastating energy wave.
Controls:
- Press D for a punch
- S for a kick
- A for your signature move
- Want to fly? Hit F.
- Need to charge your energy? E is your go-to.
- Move with the arrow keys
- Hit Space to leap into the air.
Between battles, you can explore vibrant open zones—fly through canyons, hover over cities, or dash across fields. You’ll face enemies mid-air or on the ground, transform mid-fight, and react in real-time. Whether you’re dodging a blast or firing back as a Super Saiyan, every action feels fast, sharp, and reactive.
Core Features That Shape the Experience
Kakarot isn’t just about the fights—it’s about living as a Saiyan. After each saga, you enter Intermissions—quiet pauses in the story where you can train, gather items, cook meals, or take on sub-stories. This is where you build strength before the next big enemy arrives.
Throughout the game, you’ll collect Soul Emblems—tokens representing characters you’ve met. Place them on Community Boards to gain powerful passive bonuses like faster XP gain or stronger attacks. It’s a clever layer of progression that rewards exploration and relationship-building.
The Training Grounds allow you to face off against mental images of fighters to unlock powerful Super Attacks. These challenges require D-Medals, which you’ll find scattered across the world or earned through missions.
And let’s not forget transformations. Whether it’s Kaioken, Super Saiyan, or a powered-up Surge state, each form feels earned. Charging into battle with golden hair blazing and aura pulsing around you never gets old.
Exploration, Cooking, and Side Activities
When you’re not in combat, there’s a world to explore. You can hunt wild animals, catch fish, or search for ingredients scattered across plains and rivers. These aren’t just distractions—they tie directly into the cooking system. Gather what you need, and head to a campfire or Chi-Chi’s kitchen to cook meals that boost your stats permanently or temporarily.
You’ll also discover old Red Ribbon Army bases or Frieza Force stations. Blow them up for loot—items, ingredients, and sometimes surprise gifts.
And if you want to dive deeper into the world’s history, open the Z-Encyclopedia. It’s packed with lore, character bios, and unlockable secrets. It doesn’t just retell the story—it fills in the blanks between battles and adds weight to everything you do.
Expert Gameplay Tips & Strategy Advice
If you’re looking to level fast, don’t get sidetracked early—focus on the main story. Every saga completion gives a huge XP boost that far outweighs grinding weak enemies. For tougher boss fights, keep healing items ready. Some players may dismiss this tactic, but top-level players use item spamming to survive the hardest villainous enemies without wasting retries.
The Community Board isn’t just a side feature—it’s your XP multiplier. Prioritize the Z Warrior and Training boards early. Place characters like Goku and Vegeta strategically to get synergy bonuses and unlock buffs.
Also, D-Medals are non-negotiable. You’ll need them for Super Attacks and skill upgrades. Grab them whenever you can—via exploration or Z-Encyclopedia goals. Finally, if you have access to DLC, train with Whis. It’s one of the fastest and most rewarding ways to level and collect high-value rewards.
Comparison With Other Dragon Ball Games
Unlike Dragon Ball FighterZ, which focuses on fast-paced 2D combat and competitive play, Kakarot is built for those who want to experience the story from the inside. It leans heavily into RPG mechanics—leveling, exploration, character bonding—rather than mastering combos.
Compared to Xenoverse 2, which offers avatar creation and online battles, Kakarot trades customization for a tightly scripted journey through the DBZ timeline.
And while Sparking! Zero leans toward arena-style, cinematic realism, Kakarot remains grounded in storytelling, rich environments, and progression systems. For fans who want to live the saga—not just fight in it—Kakarot hits different.
Gamer Review – A Personal Perspective
As a gamer who’s spent over 45 hours in Kakarot, I can say it delivers a deep, anime-accurate RPG experience. The cutscenes look straight out of the show, and pulling off a Surge combo mid-air against Cell felt insanely satisfying.
The story pacing is excellent, and I loved unlocking Super Saiyan transformations during key moments. But yeah—enemy respawns can get tedious, and load times slow things down.
Final verdict? 8.5/10. If you love DBZ, this is the game that lets you live it.
Why It Appeals to Both Fans and New Players
Whether you’re a lifelong DBZ fan or new to the series, Kakarot feels welcoming. The controls are simple, making it easy to jump in, even if you’re not a seasoned gamer. It retells the anime’s most iconic arcs with real care—from Raditz to Majin Buu—staying faithful without overwhelming you.
If you’re here for the lore, there’s depth everywhere. If you just want to fly, fight, and explore, that’s all here too. It strikes a rare balance between nostalgia and accessibility.
Final Thoughts & Where to Play
Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot stands out as a faithful, story-driven RPG that lets you live the anime, not just watch it. From flying over Namek to fighting Perfect Cell, the game captures it all.
Want to try it? Play free at Classroom6x Hub or grab the full version on Steam.
