9 /10 5

Dragon Ball FighterZ stands as the gold standard for anime fighting games, combining Arc System Works’ technical expertise with the Dragon Ball franchise’s global recognition. The 2.5D fighter employs cell-shaded visuals indistinguishable from the anime itself, offering spectacle without sacrificing competitive mechanics. Since launch in 2018, FighterZ accumulated three DLC fighter passes reaching 43+ characters while maintaining accessibility for casual players and depth for competitive scenes. The February 2024 rollback netcode update on PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC resolved years of community requests, positioning the game for continued tournament viability through 2025 and beyond.

How to Play Dragon Ball FighterZ

Dragon Ball FighterZ operates as a 3v3 tag-team fighter emphasizing dramatic aerial combos and signature character assists. Players select three characters forming a team, with assists interrupting opponent combos or extending offensive sequences. The meter-management system rewards smart super attack timing while dramatic finishes add character-specific finishing flourishes. Tutorial content gradually introduces mechanics from basic attacks through advanced cancels, making FighterZ welcoming for fighting game newcomers while offering mastery depth.

1. Controls – Directional inputs with quarter-circle motions; assists mapped to dedicated buttons; simplified input buffer window compared to traditional fighters
2. Progression – Ranked online climbing unlocks cosmetics and titles; casual arcade mode progresses through character story routes; survival mode tests endurance
3. Combat – Tag-team switching mid-combo extends damage; assists create combo opportunities or defensive coverage; super attacks consume meter built through hits
4. Tips – Assists are your best friend; practice combo timing before ranked play; learn character-specific bnb (bread-and-butter) combos; manage meter for dramatic finishes

Who Should Play Dragon Ball FighterZ

Dragon Ball FighterZ appeals to anime enthusiasts, fighting game newcomers, and competitive players seeking tag-team mechanics. The game’s visual presentation attracts players prioritizing aesthetics while its tournament history appeals to serious competitors. Casual players enjoy story modes and character collection while hardcore ranked players pursue increasingly skill-based matchups. The rollback netcode update on current-generation platforms specifically benefits online competitors seeking responsive competitive play.

• Anime Fans – Dragon Ball enthusiasts appreciate character accuracy, signature moves, and dramatic finishes capturing anime moments
• Tag-Team Enthusiasts – Players enjoying team dynamics appreciate assist mechanics, character synergy, and switching combos
• Competitive Fighters – Current-gen rollback netcode makes PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC versions tournament-viable
• Skip if – Players demanding constant new character releases; purists wanting traditional 1v1 mechanics; those needing local arcade cabinet feature sets

Dragon Ball FighterZ Platform Performance

Dragon Ball FighterZ demonstrates significant performance variations between platforms, with current-generation versions supporting rollback netcode while previous-gen systems retain delay-based connections. PS5 and Xbox Series X deliver smooth 60FPS gameplay with visual fidelity improvements. PC benefits from uncapped framerates on high-end hardware. The Nintendo Switch version sacrifices resolution for portability. Cross-platform play is not supported due to netcode differences between rollback and delay systems.

Dragon Ball FighterZ System Requirements

Dragon Ball FighterZ maintains modest PC requirements reflecting its 2018 foundation, running on hardware from the mid-2010s era. Minimum specifications target Intel i5 and AMD FX processors with modest GPU requirements. Recommended settings enable maximum visual fidelity at stable framerates. The game requires only 6GB storage, making it lightweight compared to contemporary AAA fighters. Broadband internet connection is essential for online functionality and rollback netcode performance.

Similar Games to Dragon Ball FighterZ

Dragon Ball FighterZ occupies anime fighting’s premium position, though alternative tag-team and anime fighters offer comparable experiences. Games like BlazBlue and Guilty Gear provide Arc System Works’ alternative mechanics while My Hero One’s Justice focuses on different anime properties. Marvel vs Capcom offers similar tag-team depth with different character ecosystems. These alternatives emphasize different combat systems or intellectual properties while matching FighterZ’s visual presentation quality.

• Guilty Gear Strive – Arc System Works’ 1v1 fighter with similar visual presentation; more complex gatling combos than Dragon Ball
• BlazBlue Cross Tag Battle – Arc System Works tag-team with multiple anime franchises; different meter systems and character mixing mechanics
• My Hero One’s Justice 2 – Anime fighter focusing on different franchise; 1v1 gameplay with assist mechanics
• Granblue Fantasy Versus Rising – Arc System Works anime fighter with 1v1 mechanics and similar visual quality to FighterZ

Dragon Ball FighterZ vs Competitors

Dragon Ball FighterZ distinguishes itself through unmatched visual presentation, accessible tag-team mechanics, and the Dragon Ball franchise’s global appeal. Compared to traditional 1v1 fighters, FighterZ emphasizes team composition and assist synergy. The rollback netcode update on current-gen platforms positions FighterZ competitively against modern fighters released in 2024-2025. Pricing remains attractive with frequent sales reducing base game costs below competing titles, though DLC character accumulation can increase total ownership cost substantially.

Dragon Ball FighterZ Story and World

Dragon Ball FighterZ builds narrative around Android 21, an original character introduced to the fighting game canon while respecting established Dragon Ball lore. The game’s story mode reveals three character perspectives on Android 21’s creation, destruction, and redemption arc. Arcade mode encounters provide character-specific narrative snippets without extensive single-player campaigns. The dramatic finishes system adds character-accurate combat conclusions, featuring Goku’s signature techniques, Vegeta’s pride moments, and Frieza’s ruthless superiority—each reflecting anime personality. World environments draw directly from Dragon Ball locations: Planet Namek, West City, the Tournament of Power arena, ensuring visual authenticity fans expect from adapted properties.

Dragon Ball FighterZ Multiplayer and Online

Dragon Ball FighterZ’s online infrastructure underwent significant transformation in February 2024 with rollback netcode deployment on PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC. This update eliminated years of delay-based netcode criticism, establishing FighterZ as a viable competitive platform through 2025. The matchmaking system separates rollback and delay-based players preventing mixed-netcode matchups. Cross-platform play remains unavailable due to technical netcode restrictions, though each platform maintains healthy player populations. Seasonal rankings and limited-time events encourage ongoing engagement beyond ranked ladder climbing.

• Ranked Matches – BP (Battle Points) progression tracks competitive ranking; seasonal resets refresh competitive cycles
• Casual Matches – Unranked play without ranking consequences; character learning-focused environment
• Party Modes – Up to 6-player lobbies with party battle modes limited to delay-based netcode for compatibility
• Rollback vs Delay – PS5/Xbox Series X/S/PC offer rollback with separate matchmaking pools from PS4/Xbox One delay-based players

Dragon Ball FighterZ DLC and Expansions

Dragon Ball FighterZ’s post-launch content strategy distributed 25 DLC fighters across three season passes released 2018-2020. Individual characters cost $4.99 while season passes offered discounted bundles: Season 1 ($34.99), Season 2 ($24.99), Season 3 ($19.99). Notable additions include Gogeta Blue, Ultra Instinct Goku, Jiren, Broly, and Android 21 Lab Coat variant. Bandai Namco announced in 2022 that FighterZ reached content completion with no additional character releases planned. Post-launch support shifted entirely to balance patches, cosmetics, and seasonal events maintaining competitive integrity.

• Season 1 DLC – SSGSS Goku/Vegeta, Vegito Blue, Goku Black bundle ($34.99); 8 character releases
• Season 2 DLC – Broly DBS, Gogeta Blue, Bardock, Jiren bundle ($24.99); 8 character releases
• Season 3 DLC – Ultra Instinct Goku, Master Roshi, Super Baby 2, Gogeta SS4, Kefla, Android 21 Lab Coat ($19.99); 6 characters
• Music/Cosmetics – Anime Music Packs ($14.99), lobby avatars, stamps, commentary voice packs available separately

Dragon Ball FighterZ Community and Support

Dragon Ball FighterZ maintains active community engagement through official Bandai Namco channels, competitive tournament organization, and dedicated player communities across Reddit and Discord. The game featured prominently in fighting game esports until 2024, with organized world tours and regional championships. While major tournament presence declined post-2023 as developer attention shifted to newer fighting games, the community remains robust. Strategy guides, combo videos, and matchup discussions continue flourishing on YouTube and community forums, with experienced players mentoring newcomers through Discord servers.

• Official Bandai Namco Support – Patch notes, balance documentation, DLC announcements via official channels
• Reddit Community – r/dragonballfighterz hosts strategy discussion, clip sharing, and newcomer advice
• YouTube Channels – Professional players produce combo guides, character tutorials, and ranked gameplay content
• Balance Updates – 2024 rollback update accompanied balance patches; future support commitment limited as focus shifts to newer titles