Gameplay – Take control of Goku, Krillin, Yamcha and Bulma as the group continues to hunt for the Dragon Balls and encounters the Red Ribbon Army and other recognizable foes in an action adventure. Gamers must solve puzzles, navigate large levels and take on waves of enemies and sweet boss encounters. Like all great action/adventure games there is a collecting aspect and of course leveling up for characters. Use of the stylus is hit and miss, not truly needed but still present.
Graphics – The in-game action looks decent with recognizable characters and settings but the in-game cut scenes are blah. The staged cut scenes, special attacks really look quite nice, almost pulled from the anime nice with smooth edges and dramatic effect. There is a lock of polish from the bigger moment scenes to the story moving scenes but this is to be expected. Love the cover art, it’s polished and poster worthy.
Sound – When there is voice work, sweet, sounds great, but the rest of the music and sound feels pulled from the 16-bit days of gaming. The opening sequence will entertain … yeah, stretching here but not much to talk about with sound on this DS cart.
Design – Levels can be very blah, is it over yet, but they move the story along and feel pulled from the anime. The character design is set from the anime so no flexibility there or real surprise. Overall the design is decent, not great, not mind blowing but decent.
Miscellaneous – The continuation of Goku’s younger adventures on US soil. FUNimation has released the entire Dragon Ball series, all five seasons, and gamers also get to continue these reality new adventures on the DS. Dragon Ball Z, we know it, we love it but taking control of the young Goku, pure joy.
Overall, Dragon Ball: Origins 2 for Nintendo DS will please fans and young kids alike. The graphics are better than many anime based DS titles (niche, I know) and while the sound is lacking the gameplay is hour eating entertaining. Listen, this is not a top tier DS title like Mario or Zelda’s adventures. It’s a serviceable action/adventure game for non-fans and a true gaming treat for Dragon Ball starved fans. This is the audience; this is who should take a look at Goku’s most recent adventure on DS.
