Dragon Ball Z: Idainaru Dragon Ball Densetsu

Dragon Ball Z: Idainaru Dragon Ball Densetsu (ドラゴンボールZ 偉大なるドラゴンボール伝説) is a fighting game produced and released by Bandai on May 31, 1996 in Japan, released for the Sega Saturn and PlayStation. Budget label versions were released on June 20, 1997 for the Saturn and June 27, 1997 for the PlayStation. In Europe, the Sega Saturn version was released in France, Spain and Portugal with the French edition retaining the original Japanese name (although is translated as Dragon Ball Z: La grande légende des boules de cristal in the title screen) and the Spanish edition being re-addressed as Dragon Ball Z: The Legend on December 1996.

Gameplay
The game utilizes a unique system of play that is different from most other fighters. The graphics feature 2-D sprites in a three dimensional world. Although each battle begins on the ground, the majority of the action is featured skyward. The characters fly around each other and utilize rapid punches and kicks, and ki blasts, either singularly or rapidly by holding the assigned button for a short period. The characters have a limited amount of ki that can be charged over time. If the player uses all of their available ki their character will stop fighting out of exhaustion, leaving them wide open for an attack. The life meter is a scale made up of energy from both sides that shifts depending on damage taken, and after one side is depleted, the character performs a special "Meteo Attack", which takes place in a cut scene and finishes off the opponent. Each match is made up of two teams that can include one fighter or multiple fighters (up to 3) that can be switched out at various times.

The story mode of the game is divided into episodes, and it encompasses all of Dragon Ball Z, featuring the most important battles of the series.

Release
Rumors persisted into 1997 that the Saturn version was being released in the U.S. In response Jeff Rotter, associate producer of Bandai of America, said that negotiations were underway to bring a Dragon Ball Z game to North America, but he did not say which one, and emphasized that there was not yet actual confirmation of any North American release for the franchise.

Reception
The game received average reviews. The Saturn's version is commonly considered as the best one. Reviewing the PlayStation version as an import, Next Generation criticized it for a lack of innovation, mediocre gameplay, and "sub-standard" graphics when compared to other fighting games. They regarded the wide selection of playable characters to be its one saving grace.