REVIEW | Legacy of Goku II: Ascending Past Super Saiyan
Introduction
Previously, I reviewed the first Legacy of Goku. While it had some positives, issues with combat and short length led to a lackluster experience. Motivated to see if Legacy of Goku II could redeem the series, I played through the sequel to determine if it improved upon its predecessor. This leads to the key question: Is Legacy of Goku II the improvement the series needed, or does it fall short?
Story and Presentation
Legacy of Goku II picks up immediately after the first game, beginning with the Future Trunks arc and culminating in the epic Cell battle. This time, the game deserves credit for adhering more closely to the anime’s storyline, much better than its predecessor. Gone are diversions like random Namekian temples or grinding against minor woodland animals for trivial experience. Unlike the first game, which was both short and stuffed with filler, Legacy of Goku II addresses these flaws directly. The additional content here primarily enhances the narrative rather than merely padding the playtime, making this retelling a much more cohesive experience.
The 3D map, makes exploration feel more connected and alive than in the first game.
These story improvements are complemented by impressive upgrades in presentation, making the overall experience more enjoyable. While the character sprites and portraits largely retain the previous style, keen observers will notice some subtle refinements. The game world is composed of several distinct areas connected by a visually impressive 3D overworld, making exploration feel more connected and alive than in the first game. Outdoor areas now look much more detailed and diverse, making exploration more engaging. Likewise, building interiors, once repetitive and uninspired, have been completely revamped. Each interior now bursts with vibrant colors, unique layouts, and decorative touches that evoke the Dragon Ball universe, supporting the improved narrative pacing.
In addition to these visual improvements, the audio design in Legacy of Goku II elevates the overall atmosphere and immersion. The soundtrack, drawing directly from the anime, matches each major scene with fitting excitement or nostalgia. For instance, hearing Hell’s Bells during my playthrough produced a truly smile-inducing moment. These audio enhancements reinforce the game’s thematic connection to the source material and, together with the visuals, establish a new benchmark for Dragon Ball games on the GBA.
Gameplay
The biggest failure of Legacy of Goku was that it simply wasn’t fun. Its combat was dull, lacked excitement, and featured little strategy. Encounters felt repetitive and largely unrewarding. In contrast, Legacy of Goku II builds on this system while significantly addressing its predecessor’s shortcomings. Battles still require button-mashing, but they’re now smoother and noticeably fairer. Combat now includes a basic melee attack, a standard ki-blast, and several character-appropriate special moves that feel faithful to the anime. This mix keeps fights from feeling too repetitive while still staying true to that classic button-mashing feel. The ability to create distance from enemies and the addition of more unique special attacks, such as the Special Beam Cannon’s piercing beam, introduce strategic choices, making combat much more engaging. These improvements keep gameplay fresh and encourage experimenting with each character’s distinct abilities, resulting in a marked improvement from the original’s monotony.
Special attacks, such as the Special Beam Cannon’s piercing beam, introduce strategic choices, making combat much more engaging.
One of the most notable changes in Legacy of Goku II is the ability to play as multiple characters, each with their own levels, stats, and health bars. These stats are broken down into three attributes: Strength (more damage dealt in melee combat), Endurance (Health and ability to withstand damage), and Power (more damage dealt in general).
These stats increase either as you level up or by using capsules found across the world, providing a degree of flexibility to build your character according to your preferred play style. While this system is a welcome addition, it remains somewhat shallow, lacking depth for truly meaningful customization. Furthermore, the necessity of frequently switching between characters to keep them leveled can feel like a minor nuisance, reminiscent of early Pokémon games—though here, the process is notably more manageable. This links the customization topic directly to overall pacing and player experience.
Should You Play It?
After playing the first Legacy of Goku, I felt let down by the experience. In contrast, Legacy of Goku II revitalized my interest in the series, making me look forward to future entries such as Buu’s Fury.
Legacy of Goku II effectively retells the Future Trunks and Cell sagas, with strong visuals, an engaging soundtrack, and improved gameplay. Although some repetition and shallow customization remain, the sequel is a clear improvement over the original.
That’s why I’m giving Legacy of Goku II a…
4/5 — WOULD RECOMMEND
Legacy of Goku II is the first entry in the trilogy that feels enjoyable and leaves me interested in seeing how the series continues to develop.
What about you? Did you ever play any of the Legacy of Goku games? Drop your thoughts down below or hit me up on socials! Until next time, everyone!
Pros
Much stronger and more faithful retelling of the Future Trunks and Cell arcs
Big visual upgrade — especially the environments and indoor areas
Excellent soundtrack that pulls heavily from the anime
Smoother, fairer combat with way more special attacks
Multiple playable characters with their own stats and playstyles
Clear improvement over the first Legacy of Goku in almost every way
Cons
Customization feels pretty shallow.
Having to constantly switch characters to level everyone up can get annoying.
Some repetition remains (typical of the era)
