Saiyan Invasion

Lore & Background

The game covers the timeline starting at the "23rd Tenkaichi Budokai" and extending into the "Saiyan" arc. Development details reveal that only six main characters are playable: Goku, Gohan, Piccolo, Krillin, Tien, and Yamcha. The narrative includes numerous alternate storylines designed to offer a better understanding of the Dragon Ball universe. Key gameplay moments involve navigating fields, forests, caves, and towns where players must overcome obstacles like rocks and brush using ki blasts; some barriers require stronger levels of these blasts. The story progresses through area maps displayed on the top screen, while the touch screen manages equipment provided by Capsule Corporation Dyno-Caps.

In Their Own Story

Players control a party of up to three members at any time, swapping them freely throughout the game. Combat takes place with the party facing monsters or bosses, utilizing a command select icon on the touch screen. Characters possess set attacks while others remain locked until Ability Points (AP) are earned from victories and spent in the skill menu. A defining mechanic is the "Rage Gage," which fills during combat; when full, characters can execute ultimate attacks. If two or more gauges fill simultaneously, players trigger a "Sparking Combo" for a tag team attack, resetting the gauge to zero. The game also features an Active Guard system, allowing players to press a button at the precise moment before an enemy strike to take minimal damage.

Reader's Guide

The game presents three modes: the world map available from the start, area maps on the top screen for navigation, and battle mode. Unlike typical DS titles, it makes little to no use of the stylus, forcing reliance on the control pad. Equipment is found in treasure chests or given by NPCs. Reception was generally mixed; critics praised the battle system, visuals, and faithfulness to the series but noted repetitive attacks. Famitsu awarded it a score of 29 out of 40 (one six, one seven, two eights). It became the third-best selling video game in Japan for May 2009, trailing only Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days and Ace Attorney Investigations: Miles Edgeworth. Reviewers like Charles Onyett noted it appeals primarily to Dragon Ball fans, while others called it a vanilla RPG with interesting twists.

Did You Know?

• The game was initially announced in the December 22, 2008 issue of Weekly Shonen Jump under the title Dragon Ball Z Story: Saiyan Invasion.
• Monolith Soft developed the game exclusively for the DS following their sale to Nintendo by Namco Bandai Games in 2007.
• The Japanese version was titled Dragon Ball Kai: Saiyan Invasion to tie-in with the revised anime series Dragon Ball Kai, which premiered in April 2009.
• Critics noted that the Active Guard system is comparable to the Timed Hit mechanic from Super Mario RPG.
• The game features a 'Sparking Combo' allowing two or more characters to perform a tag team attack when their Rage Gages are full.