Dragon Ball Gekishin Squadra Review – A New Level of Power
Dragon Ball games have been a lot of things over the years: fighting games, RPGs, arena brawlers, and even Kinect experiments best left forgotten. But one thing the series had never really tried was a MOBA. That changes with Dragon Ball Gekishin Squadra, a four-on-four online battle arena that takes the familiar formula of League of Legends and Dota 2 and gives it a distinctly Dragon Ball twist.
On paper, it sounds like a recipe for disaster. How do you take a genre known for its meticulous strategy and slow power scaling and make it work with characters who blow up planets as a warm-up? Surprisingly, it actually works. Gekishin Squadra doesn’t reinvent the wheel, but it layers enough Dragon Ball flavor on top of MOBA fundamentals to feel fresh and, most importantly, fun.
Dragon Ball MOBA
As a fan of everything Dragon Ball, whether it’s the fighting experiences, the classic Game Boy Advance games, heck, even the survival “horror” Dragon Ball: The Breakers, I’ve never been against the idea of the franchise branching off to genres that would otherwise not “fit” it. More often than not, I’m left surprised by the experience, though one genre that I never expected to see the franchise jump to is MOBAs. I’ve dabbled in games like League of Legends and Dota, but I wouldn’t call myself a “veteran” or expert on the genre. They’re fun, but they’ve never really been my forte.
So it was nice to see that Dragon Ball Gekishin Squadra considered that for its fanbase, in that it offered a pretty detailed tutorial, all while tying things to the Dragon Ball franchise. It doesn’t try to throw you into the deep end, with the tutorial walking you through the basics of lanes, objectives, and abilities. Not only did I find the tutorial to be helpful, but it was also pretty approachable, which left me with enough confidence to jump into my first real match without feeling like dead weight for my team.
Like with any other MOBA, your first big decision is picking a role. Squadra splits characters into three groups: Damage, Tank, and Technical.
Damage: All about raw output. You’ve got Goku, a Mini Goku Trunks, Piccolo, Android 18, Kale, Dabura, Bojack, and more.
Tank: The bruisers: Vegeta, Cell, Cooler, Zamasu, Baby, and Caulifla.
Technical: The tricksters: Frieza, Hit, Majin Buu, Krillin, Android 17, and Kid Gohan.
Each character has their own ability set, and they play vastly differently, even if they are within the same roles. What keeps things exciting is that every character can transform mid-match as well as level up, unlocking more buffs, and once fully charged up, can unleash an ultimate attack. The first time you flip a losing fight with a perfectly timed ultimate attack is the moment the game really clicks.
The roster also shows real care for Dragon Ball fans. You’ve got the obvious picks (Goku, Vegeta), but also some deep cuts like Bojack and Baby, who are usually left out or kept away for potential DLC. It’s the kind of lineup that fans dream of in a Dragon Ball game.
Once you’ve picked your fighter, Squadra adds extra layers to keep matches interesting. You also choose a Helper, which is basically an equippable ability with a 30-second cooldown. Pick wisely, as some Helpers heal, some stun, some buff your team, and they can swing a fight when used at the right moment.
There’s also the Divine Draw, a kind of match event that can give you or your opponents an edge. It’s a little bit random, which might frustrate purists, but it keeps games unpredictable. These are listed before the start of a match and range from all kinds of effects, such as having one super kill point at the beginning of a match, or heroes and enemies NPCs exploding whenever they get KO’d
And then there are the Gods of Destruction. These towering guardians protect each side, healing teammates and blocking progress. Defeat them, and the enemy’s Dragon Shell becomes vulnerable. Destroy the Shell and you win the match. It’s the Dragon Ball equivalent of destroying a Nexus in League of Legends, and it gives fights a real sense of escalation.
Match length is all over the place, depending on your team and opponents. Sometimes it’s a quick 15-minute stomp, other times it drags close to an hour with back-and-forth pushes. In every match, though, there’s a sense of growth. Beating enemies levels up your character, making them stronger, unlocking their transformation, and eventually their ultimate.
When ultimates come out, the game feels peak Dragon Ball. The screen fills with energy blasts, screams, and flashy finishers. The chaos might be too much for some, but if you grew up on the anime, it’s exactly the kind of spectacle you’d want.
Go… Even Further Beyond
Outside of the action, progression is handled through a battle pass system. It’s pretty standard stuff—earn cosmetics, titles, and rewards as you climb levels. It won’t blow anyone away, but it gives you reasons to keep queuing up.
I also really liked the post-match breakdown. Instead of just saying “win or lose,” it gives you a detailed report: who got the most God of Destruction KOs, map logs, team lists, the works. It’s useful if you’re trying to improve, but it also gives bragging rights when you carry a match.
And in a nice touch, you can vote for MVP at the end. It doesn’t change anything, but it’s fun to give your Trunks player a nod for that clutch finish.
Visually, Dragon Ball Gekishin Squadra looks good, though it’s not pushing any boundaries. The cel-shaded art is clean, the character models pop, and the abilities have enough flash to make every fight feel like an anime showdown. It gets the job done.
The music and sound effects, though, are a highlight. Fans of Dragon Ball’s soundtracks will feel right at home; there are plenty of familiar themes that give battles the right energy. Honestly, even just hearing the old cues while flying into a lane makes the whole package feel more authentic.
The Z Fighters Have Arrived
Dragon Ball Gekishin Squadra could have been a gimmick. On paper, the idea of turning Dragon Ball into a MOBA sounds like one of those spin-offs that fade into obscurity. But after playing match after match, I’m convinced there’s something here.
It’s not flawless. Sometimes matches drag on a little too long, and the randomness of Divine Draws, which are decided at the beginning of the match, won’t be for everyone. But when you’re in the middle of a teamfight, Goku is charging a Spirit Bomb, Vegeta’s tanking a push, and Krillin swoops in with the perfect support ability, it all comes together. It feels chaotic, it feels strategic, and it feels Dragon Ball.
For MOBA fans, it’s a fresh spin that respects the genre. For Dragon Ball fans, it’s one of the most inventive ways the series has ever been adapted. Put the two together, and you’ve got a game that’s way better than it has any right to be.
Score: 8.5/10
Pros
- Good tutorial that helps new MOBA players
- Post-match breakdown detailed analytics
- A great roster to pick from
- Unique take on the MOBA meets Dragon Ball
Cons
- Randomness of Divine Draw might hinder match enjoyment.
- Match length inconsistency for those who might be looking for a quick match.
- While Dragon Ball is known for it, it might be too chaotic/flashy for a MOBA for some
Dragon Ball Gekishin Squadra review code was provided by the publisher. You can read MP1st’s review and scoring policy right here.
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