於2018年1月26日推出的《Dragon Ball FighterZ》，由Bandai Namco Entertainment發行，並交由以《Guilty Gear》系列聞名的Arc System Works開發，是龍珠遊戲史上一個極具顛覆性的轉捩點。徹底捨棄過去多年偏向 3D 動作或角色扮演的設計方向，回歸到最純粹、最講求技術的2.5D橫向格鬥形式，並以近乎動畫級的畫面表現震撼整個遊戲圈。它不僅在PlayStation 4、Xbox One、PC與Nintendo Switch等平台大放異彩，更長期成為Evolution Championship Series（EVO）等國際格鬥賽事的重要項目，確立其在競技領域的地位。

本作最令人驚嘆的，是其幾乎無可挑剔的視覺呈現。開發團隊運用Unreal Engine 4，透過高度客製化的賽璐珞著色技術，讓3D模型呈現出如同手繪動畫般的質感。角色在施展招式時，鏡頭會以極為流暢的方式切換角度與距離，精準重現漫畫分鏡與動畫演出的張力。每一次重擊、每一發氣功波，都彷彿直接取自原作畫面，使整體體驗更像是在操作一部可以互動的《七龍珠》劇場版，而非單純的格鬥遊戲。

在遊戲結構上，採用3對3的隊伍戰系統，由組合喜愛的角色，打造屬於自己的夢幻陣容。戰鬥舞台具備高度破壞效果，角色在激烈對戰中能將敵人擊飛至地面甚至破壞場景，進一步強化戰鬥的臨場感與魄力。這種結合視覺震撼與戰術深度的設計，使遊戲在觀賞性與操作性之間取得極佳的平衡。

劇情方面，並未單純重述原作，而是由鳥山明親自監修，打造全新的原創故事。故事核心圍繞神祕角色「人造人21號」展開，世界各地突然出現大量戰士的複製體，原本的英雄們也紛紛失去意識。玩家將以一個「靈魂」的視角，透過特殊的連結能力附身於 孫悟空、弗力札 等角色體內，操控他們對抗這場異變。劇情分為多條路線，從不同陣營切入，呈現出更立體的敘事角度，同時也穿插大量角色間的互動對話，使整體故事兼具張力與幽默感。

在操作設計上，採取「入門簡單、精通困難」的理念。透過Auto-Combo系統，即使是初次接觸格鬥遊戲的玩家，也能輕鬆施展出流暢華麗的連段攻擊；然而隨著玩家技術提升，真正的深度體現在援助系統與角色切換連段之中。需要精準掌握隊友登場的時機，延伸攻擊節奏，甚至利用高速移動進行背後突襲，創造瞬間逆轉戰局的機會。此外，戰鬥中還導入收集龍珠的機制，當滿足條件後即可召喚神龍，帶來回復體力或復活隊友等關鍵效果，讓對戰過程充滿變數與戲劇性。

市場評價方面，幾乎獲得壓倒性的好評。其視覺效果被普遍認為是動漫改編遊戲的最高標竿，不僅完美重現原作風格，更在動態表現上達到新的高度。對戰平衡性與遊戲節奏也獲得專業玩家肯定，而後續持續推出的DLC角色，如吉連、布羅利以及自在極意功悟空，則進一步延續了遊戲的生命力與社群熱度。不過，也有部分玩家指出單人模式在後期略顯重複，且早期連線對戰採用延遲式網路架構，在網路不穩時影響體驗，但這些問題在後續更新中已逐步改善。

整體而言，《Dragon Ball FighterZ》不僅是龍珠遊戲史上的巔峰之一，更是現代格鬥遊戲的重要里程碑。它成功證明，即使在3D技術盛行的時代，精雕細琢的2.5D格鬥依然能展現驚人的生命力與競技深度，並同時滿足熱愛原作的粉絲與追求技術極限的核心玩家。

Released on January 26, 2018, Dragon Ball FighterZ, published by Bandai Namco Entertainment and developed by Arc System Works—best known for the Guilty Gear series—marked a major turning point in the history of Dragon Ball games. It boldly abandoned the long-standing trend of 3D action or RPG-style adaptations and instead returned to a pure, highly technical 2.5D fighting format. With its breathtaking visual presentation and deep combat system, the game made a huge impact on the industry. It launched across PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC, and later Nintendo Switch and next-generation platforms, and quickly became a staple title at major competitive events such as EVO (Evolution Championship Series), solidifying its place in the fighting game scene.

One of the most astonishing aspects of Dragon Ball FighterZ is its near-perfect visual execution. Built using Unreal Engine 4, the developers employed highly customized cel-shading techniques to make 3D models look indistinguishable from hand-drawn anime. During special moves, the camera dynamically shifts angles and zoom levels with seamless precision, faithfully recreating the dramatic paneling of the manga and the intensity of the anime. Every punch, every energy blast feels as though it has been lifted directly from the original work, making the experience feel less like playing a game and more like controlling an interactive Dragon Ball movie.

Structurally, the game features a 3-on-3 team battle system, allowing players to assemble their own dream teams from a wide roster of characters. The stages are highly destructible, with combatants smashing opponents through terrain and triggering cinematic transitions that heighten the sense of impact. This combination of visual spectacle and strategic depth creates a balance between accessibility and competitive complexity that few fighting games achieve.

Rather than simply retelling the original story, the game introduces a brand-new narrative supervised by Dragon Ball creator Akira Toriyama. The plot centers on the mysterious Android 21, as waves of cloned fighters appear across the world and familiar heroes begin losing consciousness. The player takes on the role of a disembodied “soul” capable of linking with characters such as Goku and Frieza, controlling them to combat the crisis. The story is divided into multiple arcs from different perspectives, offering a more layered narrative while also featuring humorous and engaging character interactions that enrich the overall experience.

In terms of gameplay, Dragon Ball FighterZ follows a “easy to learn, hard to master” philosophy. The Auto-Combo system allows newcomers to execute flashy combos with simple inputs, lowering the barrier to entry. However, the true depth lies in advanced mechanics such as assist timing, character switching, and combo extension. Skilled players must carefully coordinate team synergy, capitalize on openings, and use movement options like vanish attacks to outmaneuver opponents. The inclusion of a Dragon Ball collection mechanic during matches adds another layer of strategy—once all seven are gathered under the right conditions, Shenron can be summoned to grant powerful advantages such as healing or reviving a teammate, often turning the tide of battle.

Critically, the game received overwhelming praise. Its visuals are widely regarded as the gold standard for anime-based games, perfectly capturing Toriyama’s art style while elevating it with modern technology. The combat system is praised for its balance and depth, and continued support through DLC characters—such as Jiren, Broly, and Ultra Instinct Goku—has kept the community active for years. Some criticisms were directed at the repetitive nature of the single-player mode and the initial delay-based netcode, which could affect online play under unstable connections. However, later updates introduced rollback netcode on certain platforms, significantly improving the experience.

Overall, Dragon Ball FighterZ stands as one of the greatest Dragon Ball games ever made and a landmark title in modern fighting games. It proves that even in an era dominated by 3D technology, a meticulously crafted 2.5D fighter can deliver both stunning visuals and deep competitive gameplay, satisfying both longtime fans of the series and dedicated fighting game enthusiasts alike.