Play Dragon Ball Z : Gokuu Hishouden Online

You start as Goku throwing basic punches, but soon you're dodging energy blasts and charging Kamehamehas in side-scrolling fights that actually need strategy. The pixel-art cutscenes and chiptune DBZ music somehow make grinding for ki feel awesome.

Developer: Bandai

Genre: Fighting

Released: 1994

File size: 200.72 KB

Game Overview

Dragon Ball Z: Gokuu Hishouden is one of those Game Boy RPGs that somehow flew under the radar—which is wild, because it’s basically a pocket-sized version of the Saiyan and Frieza arcs with some neat twists. You start off with Goku’s basic punches and kicks, but pretty soon you’re juggling Kamehamehas and dodging energy blasts in side-scrolling fights that actually make you think before mashing buttons.

The turn-based overworld stuff feels a bit clunky at first, but once you get into a rhythm of charging ki and calling in backup from Piccolo or Krillin, it clicks. And those little pixel-art cutscenes? They’re rough around the edges, but seeing Vegeta’s smug face pop up in 8-bit never gets old. The music’s a banger too—like someone squeezed the DBZ theme into a Game Boy speaker and somehow it still slaps.

It’s not perfect—some fights drag if you don’t grind a bit—but for a handheld DBZ game from 1994, it’s way more fun than it has any right to be. Perfect for bus rides or pretending you’re not ignoring responsibilities to fight Frieza again.