Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot

Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot

game

2020, Games & Accessories, Board Games

WISE
82%

WISE Score

A massive, playable love letter to the DBZ sagas that lets you live out the 'screaming for three episodes to power up' fantasy.

Amazon4.8
Common Sense Media

Where to Play

Platform availability info not available. Search for "Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot" on your preferred gaming platform.

Screenwise Verdict

If your kid is into Dragon Ball Z, this is basically the 'Holy Grail' of games. It’s not just a fighting game; it’s a full-blown life simulator for Goku and his friends. It hits all the major emotional beats of the show—the sacrifices, the training, and the absurdly long battles—without the frustration of competitive online play.

It’s a safe bet for parents because it’s entirely self-contained. There are no loot boxes or gambling mechanics to worry about, just a long, epic journey that rewards patience and exploration. It’s loud, it’s flashy, and it’s occasionally a bit 'dumb' in its humor, but it’s a high-quality production that respects the player's time (even if it asks for a lot of it).

Age Fit

Perfect for ages 10 and up. While the ESRB says 13, any kid who has seen a Marvel movie can handle this. The main barrier for younger kids is the sheer amount of menu management and reading required for the RPG systems.

WISE Breakdown
Wholesome
72

At its core, this is a story about self-improvement, protecting your friends, and the power of persistence. Goku is the ultimate 'good guy' who always gives people second chances. However, the 'wholesome' vibe is balanced against constant, high-impact combat and some of the series' more dated, juvenile humor.

Imaginative
78

It’s a massive semi-open world that feels like a living diorama of the anime. Flying through the air, fishing with a Saiyan tail, and exploring iconic locations like Capsule Corp invites a lot of 'what if' play for fans, even if the main plot follows a 30-year-old script.

Safe
85

As a single-player RPG, there's no toxic multiplayer chat to worry about. The violence is flashy and 'cartoonish'—think energy beams and crater-making punches rather than blood and gore. The ESRB T rating is mostly for mild language and some 'suggestive' jokes involving Master Roshi.

Enriching
64

It requires decent management of stats, items, and skill trees, which builds some tactical thinking. It’s also an absolute marathon of a game, so it rewards long-term commitment. That said, it’s primarily high-octane entertainment without heavy educational or moral complexity.

Parent Info

Why It Might Be Great

  • Total Immersion in the Dragon Ball Z world, allowing players to fly, eat, and fight their way through the entire series timeline.
  • Faithful Retelling of the story that doesn't cut corners, making it a perfect 'interactive encyclopedia' for kids new to the franchise.
  • RPG Depth that goes beyond simple button-mashing, requiring players to manage cooking, community boards, and skill upgrades.
  • Single-player focus means you don't have to worry about your kid getting yelled at by strangers in an online lobby.

What to Watch For

  • Master Roshi's humor is a bit of a relic from the 90s, featuring some 'dirty old man' tropes and jokes about 'naughty' magazines that might require a quick eye-roll or explanation.
  • The Time Sink is real; this isn't a game you finish in a weekend. It can easily swallow 50-80 hours if they get into the side quests.
  • Flashy Combat can be visually overstimulating for some, with constant screen shakes, bright flashes, and loud explosions.

Conversation Starters

  • "Goku often gives his enemies a chance to change their ways. Do you think characters like Vegeta or Piccolo deserved that second chance?"
  • "If you could have one Saiyan ability in real life—besides flying—which one would be the most useful?"
  • "Why do you think Gohan struggles with wanting to be a scholar versus being a fighter like his dad?"
  • "The game focuses a lot on 'Power Levels,' but what makes a character actually strong in this story?"

Deep Dive

The Ultimate Anime Simulator

For years, Dragon Ball Z games were mostly just 'versus' fighters—think Street Fighter but with spiky hair. Kakarot changed the formula by making the world the star. You aren't just jumping from fight to fight; you're actually living in this world. You go fishing, you collect Z-orbs, you cook massive meals to boost your stats, and you fly across the landscape at breakneck speeds. For a kid who loves this universe, that freedom is everything.

The 'Grind' Factor

While the main story missions are cinematic and exciting, the game does fall into some classic RPG traps. There’s a fair amount of 'fetch questing'—going to point A to talk to a guy, then point B to kill three robots, then back to point A. Some kids might find these stretches a bit boring compared to the high-stakes boss fights. However, these moments are also where the game sneaks in its best character building, showing the quieter side of the Z-Fighters' lives.

A Word on the 'Suggestive' Content

If you remember the original anime, you know Master Roshi is a 'creepy old man' character. That hasn't changed. He still talks about 'adult' magazines and makes some mildly inappropriate comments. In the context of 2026, it feels very dated, but it's never explicit. It's the kind of stuff that will likely go over a 10-year-old's head or just be seen as 'weird old guy' behavior.

How it Compares

If your kid wants a competitive challenge, Dragon Ball FighterZ is the better choice. But if they want to feel like they are in the show, Kakarot is the winner. It’s a much more relaxed experience that lets them soak in the story at their own pace. It’s essentially a 40-hour interactive movie that happens to have some very satisfying combat sprinkled throughout.

What Parents Ask

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