Kombo's Review Policy: Our reviews are written for you. Our goal is to write honest, to-the-point reviews that don't waste your time. This is why we've split our reviews into four sections: What the Game's About, What's Hot, What's Not and Final Word, so that you can easily find the information you want from our reviews.

What the Game's About
Dragon Ball Z: Burst Limit follows the tale of a band of warriors who are out to save the world one alien invasion at a time. The popular Japanese Anime is immediately recognizable and the stunning cel-shaded look juxtaposed to the soft, almost pastel backgrounds make this fighting game look authentic to the actual visual style of the cartoon. With a wide array of fighters to select from, heroes and villains alike, you can let your fanboy dreams run wild.

For players completely unfamiliar to the series, Burst Limit is based off a long running animated TV series that features plenty of hyper kinetic battles with dazzling special effects with a dramatic story with all the complexities of a day time soap opera to fill in depth. Bust Limit is a fighting game with story elements interweaved through its fabric as it takes you through critical points in the series' TV story lines.

What's Hot
Burst Limit follows the traditions of its animated heritage by featuring plenty of high-speed action. As you control characters like Goku and Gohan, you'll get a feel for their speed with fast punches. When you select a character that is more of an ogre, like Nappa, you'll feel their monster power but lack of speed. This type of balance works well and it makes sense within the context of the game and the characters. There are plenty of counter moves that when used effectively, perfectly project the sensation of ultimate fighters that are working their hardest to win battles.



Pulling off signature moves for each character is thankfully simple. Care was taken to animate and add voice to special moves that make the game feel like the TV show. Taking that theme a step further, the developers behind the game achieved a striking visual style. The fighters are clad in bright colors with sharp lines signifying their strength and devotion to training in the martial arts. The backgrounds are exactly the opposite. They are soft and rounded showing a gentler side. Remarkably, the contrast is effective in producing a unique video game visual and identical to the fan adored Anime. Special moves look extra special with impressive lighting work done with the blue Kamehames.

What's Not
The quest to make Burst Limit almost identical to the TV show isn't without its faults. The biggest misstep is the inclusion of Drama Pieces. These gameplay elements attempt to add… drama to the game by injecting tiny vignettes into the battles. Then the scene cuts away to include a few lines of dialogue, while in the midst of battle. The last thing you want to have happen while energy balls are flying and multiple reversals are occurring is the game taking you out of the experience and watch a cut scene that is only a few seconds long. For fans of the show, this might not be seen as a turn off because it is exactly what happens in the middle of animated battles but for a video game that is more active and timing sensitive, it kills the mood.



The presentation of the game isn't fantastic. It is useable but very Spartan in nature. Only the working parts were included and the frills were left by the way side. To really drive home this was a Dragon Ball Z game, including little touches of polish would have gone a long way throughout the game. The way the game is, you only get the full DBZ treatment where the gameplay begins and ends.

Final Word
Burst Limit has moments where you get lost in the visuals and lightening quick moves but that isn't representative of the entire package. The Drama Pieces bog down the gameplay that would have been blazing fast. It comes down to Burst Limit having some really brilliant moments but a mostly average package.