Datach - Dragon Ball Z - Gekitou Tenkaichi Budoukai (Japan)

Datach - Dragon Ball Z - Gekitou Tenkaichi Budoukai is a unique fighting game for the NES, distinguished by its integration with the Datach Joint ROM System. Before each battle, players must use the Datach device to scan physical cards. Each card represents a Dragon Ball Z character like Goku, Vegeta, Piccolo, or power-up items. The information from these cards is then transferred into the game, determining the character's attack, defense, speed stats, and special moves. This introduces a unique strategic element, as a character's power depends not only on player skill but also on their card collection.

Gameplay unfolds as a 1-on-1 fighting tournament. Players control their character, performing basic attacks, blocking, and unleashing special moves such as Kamehameha or Galick Gun. The energy (Ki) bar is a crucial element, requiring careful management to execute powerful techniques. When the energy bar is full, characters can transform or perform devastating super attacks. The objective is to defeat the opponent by depleting their health bar. Despite the simple 8-bit graphics, the game attempts to faithfully recreate familiar characters and their iconic moves. The card collection aspect and the variety in character stats make each battle unpredictable and require players to strategically choose their cards. This offers a unique experience combining traditional fighting game mechanics with collectible card elements.