Source
r/dbz•
VegettoEX

Dragon Ball Import Gaming: Have You Done It?!

Question

While these days we pretty much get every Dragon Ball game released internationally (at least translated into English, if not multiple languages for the European and South American markets), there have been a few that slipped by thanks to things like console lifespans (Ultimate Butoden on the Nintendo DS), licensing nightmares (the Jump Stars games on the Nintendo DS), or simply just no financial reason to do so (likely the Dragon Ball Heroes: Ultimate Mission games on the Nintendo 3DS).

I'm someone who hates being left out. I need to know everything. I need to own everything. If there's something out there and I don't have it, that's a problem.

Thus: import gaming.

Like lots of people my age first getting into the series, I discovered the wealth of previous-generation games for the Famicom and Super Famicom. Emulation was kicking off quite well at that point, so it was Super Butoden 2 all the time for me. This was during the 32-bit generation, so while Final Bout made its way to our shores, I then picked up copies of the other two PS1 games through admittedly-nefarious-means (I of course legitimately own them now!) and the mod-chip scene. Playing Idainaru... ("Legends") is something I'll never forget.

After that short break for the franchise, that's when we started getting everything. I jumped back into import gaming for one major reason, though: I needed the Japanese voices. Younger people might not remember this, but the first few games came out dub-only for us in North America. The first Budokai was super weird, where we got it dub-only, and Europe got it JP-only with subtitles... and then dubbed after that. It wasn't until the "Greatest Hits" edition of Budokai 3 that 99% of the games (except for Super Dragon Ball Z, I think) came out with selectable voice casts.

Anyway, I loved Budokai 3 so much that I had to play it again in Japanese. I picked up a Japanese PS2 and it was the best decision I made that entire generation. With the Sparking! games getting replacement scores in their international Budokai Tenkaichi incarnations, I had everything I needed for the kind of fan I was.

I've continued to pick up JP versions of games since then (especially the ones that don't have international releases), but I haven't felt the need to do so. It's pretty much just out of habit. If I'm playing them, it's generally the English versions for fun/review.

TL;DR Have you ever imported a Dragon Ball game? Was it one that didn't come out in your country? What compelled you to do so?

2ND TL;DR Ultimate Butoden is the best DBZ game you never played. Shame on you. Don't need to be fluent to enjoy it. The what-ifs are the best.

Posted Jan 7, 2015, 3:26 PM UTC

1014
SLUT_MUFFIN•

I've been playing a lot of Ultimate Butouden through the English patch that was made for the ROM releases. Now that I understand the game, it'll definitely be bought at some point so I can actually play it on the move.

4
FatNigger69•

I had no idea there was a patch out. Guess I'll give it another chance.

2
PhantomLordG•

That makes two of us! I played the game a little while after it was released, and was skeptical that a DBZ fighting game would be on the little DS, and to my imagination it was gorgeous. Barely understood anything outside of the hiragana and katakana but I played through the game just because of how beautiful it was.

It sure has hell was better than Tenkaichi Tag Team, also released to go along with Kai (iirc).

1
CapraDaemon•

I've played a bit of Ultimate Butoden through an emulator, but never imported it simply because Nintendo are too bone-headed to allow their handhelds to be region-free... I do agree that it is arguably the best handheld DB fighter. I mean, what other game lets to kick the crap out of Broly as King Kai?

1
VegettoEXOP•

Everything before the 3DS for Nintendo's handhelds are region-free (barring some DSi-exclusive content).

Ultimate Butoden runs absolutely fine on any DS from any region. It also works fine on any 3DS, because the DS software mode isn't region-restricted, either.

Get it, yo!

5
CapraDaemon•

Ohhhhh snap. This is gonna happen! Thank you, I was obviously unaware of this.!

1
mgs4manj•

I've been thinking of importing a Japanese copy of Budokai 2. I've heard that game had an extra fighter or something, my mind is foggy. It was called the V-Jump version.

1
VegettoEXOP•

That's the V-Jump special edition of the game called Dragon Ball Z 2 V (which is separate from the normal Japanese release of the game, which is just called Dragon Ball Z 2). Its main bonus features are that it has Coola as an extra character and Kuriza as an extra costume/outfit for Freeza.

It had a very limited giveaway/sale run of copies, and is rather difficult to track down.

3
mgs4manj•

Damn it. I wonder where I could possibly ever get one...

1
robertmdebodt•

I got one of them about a year ago. It comes with all characters unlocked and special outfits like Majin Freeza and Kuriza. It's great!

1
mgs4manj•

Where did you get it?

1
squirrtlesquad•

I wish they'd translate that dbz card game on the 3ds, I love card games and dbz.

1
FatNigger69•

I discovered emulation when ZSNES was still being actively developed. I couldn't believe there were Dragon Ball video games. Of course, they were all in Japanese, but they were still really cool to play through. Hyper Dimension was my favorite for awhile, largely due to the art style. I used to fight with people through ZBattle over a dial-up connection.

I never really enjoyed the Super Butōden series, but I still played them a lot because they were Dragon Ball games. Legend of the Super Saiyan was another favorite. The translation for it was a total mess at the time, but it was still fun to try and muddle your way through to the end. There's a new translation out for it that I've been meaning to try, and it looks really good.

The Gokūden series is probably my favorite. I contacted Ginew (the author of the English Kakusei-hen patch) a couple years ago offering to retranslate the game for him, but he never got back to me. I've thought about making about a YouTube playthrough with the text edited in. Maybe someday.

When I saw Legacy of Goku in a store, I nearly shit my pants. I couldn't believe a Dragon Ball game that I've never played before was right in front of me. Even as a kid, I knew it was terrible, but I still had a lot of fun with it. LoG2 was even better, and I ended up buying all three of the LoG games along with every Budokai/Budokai Tenkaichi game.

I'd like to start importing the Super Famicom games, but I just don't have the disposable income for it. I hope they're still around when I do.

1
anonpurpose•

I have wanted to play Ultimate Butoden for quite some time. It's just one of those games I forgot about honestly. I started importing DBZ games with Final Bout. I then imported Legends and Ultimate Battle 22. I have played all the games I could find on nes and snes through emulation. I played Legend of the Super Saiyan multiple times. Super Saiyan Vegeta can be a dick. I have always wanted to import the Jump games and won't have to import J Star Victory vs now! I have been hesitant to get Dragon Ball Heroes for 3ds. Not sure how well that will translate to the 3ds.

1