Dragon Ball FighterZ remains the easy recommendation
Marvel Tokon: Fighting Souls has had a difficult start on Windows PC, but Arc System Works’ latest fighter has still sold half a million copies and earned an 86 rating on Metacritic. Reviews have mainly focused on the PlayStation 5 version, where its 21-character Marvel roster and unusual four-versus-four format have made a strong impression.
Its teams share one health bar, while additional members become available as a match progresses. That structure is a significant shift from the familiar tag-fighter formula. For players who find those ideas less appealing, the studio’s earlier work offers a more established alternative: Dragon Ball FighterZ, a particularly strong Dragon Ball game that remains enjoyable well after launch.
A fighting game that welcomes beginners
Released in 2018, Dragon Ball FighterZ quickly found an audience among tournament players and fighting-game newcomers alike. Its systems have plenty of depth, but you do not need advanced training to enjoy a match. The autocombo feature lets inexperienced players string together attacks, defeat opponents such as Frieza and finish with spectacular moves including Goku’s Kamehameha.
Not every technique is effortless. Some special attacks demand a precise thumb movement on the D-pad or carefully timed button presses. Once those inputs become familiar, though, the combat starts to feel fast, expressive and rewarding.
Speed, assists and satisfying combat
Several signature mechanics give battles their momentum. Vanish Attack, Dragon Rush and Super Dash help fighters close distance quickly, adding a sense of urgency that can be missing from slower characters in Marvel Tokon. Combine those movement options with assist attacks and extended combos, and the game makes it easy to feel powerful without removing the challenge of improving.
Plenty to do without playing online
Although competitive multiplayer is central to the genre, FighterZ provides enough solo content for players who prefer offline sessions. The story mode is not as focused on character development as Marvel Tokon’s campaign, but it introduces the cast and their play styles effectively. Completing it also unlocks the original character Android 21.
Arcade ladders provide progressively harder fights, as well as a route to unlocking Super Saiyan God Super Saiyan versions of Goku and Vegeta. Versus mode is useful for practice too, allowing players to set up one-on-one or two-on-two matches and concentrate on a particular character.
An expanded roster worth revisiting
The original release included 24 fighters. Downloadable content has since taken the roster to 45, with Super Saiyan 4 Goku from Dragon Ball Daima joining earlier in 2026. That expansion gives returning players plenty to explore, especially if their interest is mainly in story, arcade and local versus play.
Eight years on, the base game still sells at full price, but Dragon Ball FighterZ and its downloadable content regularly receive discounts. The Legendary Edition, which includes all the DLC, was available for $27.49 on PlayStation at the time of the source material’s publication.
Still a strong choice for Dragon Ball fans
Fighting-game fans have had plenty of newer releases to consider, while Dragon Ball players can also turn to the 3D arena fighter Dragon Ball Sparking Zero. Even so, Dragon Ball FighterZ deserves space on the hard drive. Its approachable controls, substantial offline modes and expanded cast make it a dependable choice for casual players and a serious competitive game for those willing to dig deeper.
For Australians building a dedicated fighting-game setup, a full-size arcade machine can make local versus sessions feel more immediate, while a bartop arcade suits a smaller games room. Before choosing a cabinet, RETROCADE’s arcade machine buying guide covers the practical decisions around space and hardware.
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