The release of Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot was widely anticipated, especially with a team like CyberConnect2 spearheading the development. Their mettle had already been tested — and proven, to an extent — with the Ultimate Ninja Storm series that managed to tell Naruto's story within the context of games, and managed to do so successfully.
Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot received the same treatment for the most part, with most Dragon Ball Z fans agreeing that it's a great way to enjoy the story again — even though the same tale has been told in so many different ways already. The success of this title has split fans in two, with one side wanting a prequel to the series that explores Goku's origin story while the other side is clamoring for a sequel that features even more ridiculous and off-the-wall powerups.
So, let's take a look at both sides of the spectrum and list out 5 reasons why a prequel to Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot is a great idea, coupled with 5 reasons why the sequel is the way to go.
10 PREQUEL: Fleshing Out Everyone's Backstory
The first and foremost reason why most people would want Dragon Ball to receive the same gaming upgrade as its compatriot is simple: To witness the cast of Dragon Ball grow from kids to fully-fledged adults.
It's a tale that will ingratiate new fans to the characters that were once actual powerhouses when they were introduced. Witnessing fighters like Yamcha and Chiaotzu — both of whom have become afterthoughts now — in their heyday will definitely be a treat to watch!
9 SEQUEL: Opening The Avenue For Ridiculous Power-Ups
The announcement of Dragon Ball Super was met with unanimous jubilance and anticipation from fans, who were salivating to witnessing the next level of power that the Z Fighters would unlock.
While adapting Dragon Ball Z's story in a video game was a great idea, there would definitely be a point when the power levels would inevitably reach their ceiling.
Dragon Ball Super's powerups will negate this problem and allow gamers to enjoy all these new transformations for themselves, especially as they haven't been featured in as many games as Dragon Ball Z's variants.
8 PREQUEL: A Bonafide Adventure In Every Sense Of The Word
The original Dragon Ball is a story that emphasizes "adventure," something that Dragon Ball GT tried to emulate with varying results. Exploring the map, getting the Dragon Balls, engaging in fights with militant groups — all of this will feel like a journey in itself.
With Goku unlocking instant transmission and most of the other characters flying at what feels like lightspeed, this feeling is all but lost in the later stages of Dragon Ball Z's story.
7 SEQUEL: Witnessing The Progression Of Goku & Vegeta
If a game based on Dragon Ball is a great way to witness the manner in which Goku evolves, then Dragon Ball Super will allow the same treatment but with the added bonus of developing Vegeta as well.
Partaking in Whis' training firsthand and unlocking the Super Saiyan God and Blue forms for both characters would be a great achievement indeed. Vegeta, especially, goes through quite a fair amount of growth in Dragon Ball Super, serving as a continuation to the character's development seen in Dragon Ball Z.
6 PREQUEL: Learning The Legendary Kamehameha Technique
Techniques have come and techniques have gone throughout Dragon Ball, but there's one that has stood the test of time to become one of the most universally-recognized energy beams of all time: The Kamehameha.
It would be quite incredible to try out this new move ourselves and develop it over the course of the prequel. Goku already knows the Kamehameha by the time Kakarot's story commences, so a prequel could go back to basics and show how the Saiyan learned his most iconic attack.
5 SEQUEL: Fighting In Competitive Tournament Arcs
While one might argue that the original Dragon Ball has its fair share of Tournament Arcs that will be fun to play through in their own way, one can't deny the fact that Dragon Ball Super's Tournament arcs are in a league of their own.
The massive power levels of the characters featured in these tournaments, coupled with some incredibly high stakes — especially in the Tournament Of Power arc — will make for some memorable gaming experiences.
4 PREQUEL: Witnessing Goku's Rise From A Kid To A Martial Artist
There's a reason why the word "Kakarot" has been attached to the latest Dragon Ball game. It's evident that Goku will always be the face of this franchise, making it all the more important to help fans realize the humble beginnings of the beloved Saiyan.
Watching Goku grow up from a stumbling kid all the way to one of the best martial artists on Earth is an excellent way to introduce new fans to the character's development before Dragon Ball Z became such a cultural phenomenon.
3 SEQUEL: Side Stories That Offer More Of Super Saiyan God In Action
The hype surrounding Super Saiyan God was beyond intense, and the fact that fans managed to see it in action in Battle Of The Gods was a treat to behold. However, after this initial reveal, Super Saiyan God was pretty much sidelined in favor of the Super Saiyan Blue transformation. Aside from brief appearances in the Tournament Of Power arc and the Dragon Ball Super: Broly movie, Super Saiyan God was unceremoniously shelved.
A sequel to Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot can allow fans to access Super Saiyan God whenever they please, while also possibly adding some side stories that will make use of this criminally underutilized transformation.
2 PREQUEL: Fighting Demon King Piccolo
Perhaps the biggest reason why a game based on Dragon Ball would be a great idea is simply because of the fact that it would allow fans to return to a time when Piccolo was an incredible villain. A prequel would also give Demon King Piccolo, Piccolo's father/previous incarnation, an opportunity to shine.
People who got into the series through Dragon Ball Z will neither realize the reasons why Piccolo is such a fearsome combatant nor be able to appreciate the brilliant character development he went through over the course of the series.
1 SEQUEL: Epic Fights With God-Level Combatants
The fights in Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot are absolutely dazzling in every sense of the word, and one can only wonder how these fights will evolve with the introduction of God ki.
A refinement of this fighting system, coupled with the immense power levels that could be unlocked, should make for a sequel that's bigger, better, and — ultimately — more epic.