The game is not in any way like any of the previous Dragonball games. It is similiar in gamestyle to the Saturn game, Guardian heroes, but not exactly(that's the closest game I could think of). It is a semi-3D action/fighter, not really a strict, one on one fighting game. My girlfriend describes it as a gang fight. Unlike Guardian heroes you do not choose different paths to follow, you are on a set course. Your course of battles takes you through most of the famous battles in the Dragonball Z storyline. You control up to three different characters at a time, battling up to three opponents. This makes for as many as six characters on screen at a time(with more waiting in the wings as replacements, to be called in whenever you want). It is very fast paced and can get pretty hectic and confusing at times, until you get the hang of what you're doing. The Saturn version (In my opinion) has tighter control, but the Playstation version(except for an annoying bar that runs the length of the left hand side on the character select screen and some load screens. They didn't center all the screens properly) looks prettier (it has transparent effects on some meteo attacks, and the graphics aren't as blocky). The Saturn and Playstation have similiar, but not the same meteo attacks for all of the characters. The object of the game is to battle your opponents until the power meter on the bottom of the screen sways all the way in your favor. The meter works in a tug of war fashion, starting even on both sides (blue for player 1, red for player 2). If you hit your opponent it will fill a bit in your favor, if your opponent then hits you, it will go back down to the center and you'll be even again. No life is lost during these battles. The only point in which a character loses life is if the power meter fills all the way to either side, then that teams leader wil perform a meteo attack on a member of the opposing team. Different characters cause different amounts of damage to their victims. It can take up to six meteo attacks to kill off a character(depending on who is doing the meteo). Characters can be knocked through mountains, trees, and other obstacles. The game takes place in the air or hovering inches above the ground (causing dust swirls at the characters feet). The screen stays focused on the character you are using(in one player mode). If a character comes in contact with an obstacle while moving(not being knocked across screen), they will go around it, trees however, can be knocked down with fireballs.
