Dragon Ball Z: Super Butōden

File:SNES Dragon Ball Z - Super Butōden.png and Vegeta on planet Namek]]

Dragon Ball Z: Super Butōden is a fighting game similar to Street Fighter II. Players fight against other characters in one-on-one matches and the fighter who manages to deplete the health bar of the opponent wins the bout and becomes the winner of the match.Dragon Ball Z: Super Butōden Mode D'Emploi (Super Nintendo Entertainment System, FRA){{cite book|title=Dragon Ball Z (ドラゴンボールZ)〜超武闘伝〜 ファミコン奥義大全書|series=Jump Comics Selection|publisher=Shueisha|date=March 1, 1993|pages=1–96|language=ja|isbn=978-4-8342-1146-7}} The game features three modes of play, a roster of 10 playable characters and their respective transformations with one additional transformation being unlockable via cheat code. Characters available are Goku, Piccolo, Vegeta, Frieza, Android 20, Android 18, Android 16, Cell, Trunks and Gohan.{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/stream/Nintendo_Accion_015#page/n57/mode/2up|title=Gran Guia: Dragon Ball Z - ¡Consigue toda su fuerza! (Super Nintendo)|magazine=Nintendo Acción|issue=15|publisher=Hobby Press|date=February 1994|pages=58–65|lang=es}}

Super Butōden uses a customizable six-button control scheme. Special moves are present in conventional format, with most commands consisting of button combinations. Characters can also dash back and forth by pressing L and R respectively. Unique to the game is the split-screen feature; when one of the two combatants moves far away in the playfield, the view is split to keep both fighters shown in a single screen while their positioning is kept via an on-screen radar.

Dragon Ball Z: Super Butōden served as both the first full-fledged fighting game in the Dragon Ball franchise and the first entry in the Super Butōden sub-series.{{cite web|last=Croft|first=Paula|url=https://as.com/meristation/2018/10/01/noticias/1538404060_624347.html|title=Dragon Ball Z: Super Butoden, gratis para Switch en Latinoamérica|work={{ill|MeriStation|lt=MeriStation|es|MeriStation}}|publisher=PRISA|date=October 1, 2018|access-date=2020-12-20|language=es|archive-date=2018-10-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181002135950/https://as.com/meristation/2018/10/01/noticias/1538404060_624347.html|url-status=live}} Its development was helmed by producer Toshihiro Suzuki, with Akihumi Kubota and Shinsaku Shimada serving as co-directors.{{cite video game|title=ドラゴンボールZ 超武闘伝 (Dragon Ball Z: Super Butōden)|developer=Tose|publisher=Bandai|date=20 March 1993|platform=Super Famicom|level=Staff roll|language=ja}}{{cite book|script-title=ja:「VIDEOGAME SELECTION 【02】『ドラゴンボールZ 超武闘伝』シリーズ シリーズプロデューサー 鈴木敏弘」; DRAGON BALL スーパーデータ DRAGON BALL VIDEO GAME DATA: 30th Anniversary Dragon Ball 超史集 - Super History Book -|publisher=Shueisha|date=21 January 2016|pages=184–185, 216|language=ja|isbn=978-4-08-792505-0}} Kinya Takehana and Koji Shimizu co-designed the game with additional design work by Design Office D&D while artists Hirokazu Tamai, Masayuki Takahashi, Seiichiro Shiino, Shinichi Iidawere and Shōko Arai were responsible for the pixel art, in addition to Maruko Papa and "Maruko" acting as programmers. Both music and sound design were handled by Kenji Yamamoto of Hyper Entertainment and Yuki Sabakuma respectively.{{cite web|url=https://vgmdb.net/album/445|title=COCC-10703 | DRAGON BALL Z Super Butouden|work=vgmdb.net|publisher=VGMdb|access-date=2020-12-20|archive-date=2017-10-14|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171014011617/http://vgmdb.net/album/445|url-status=live}} Other people also assisted with its development.{{cite magazine|last=Torishima|first=Kazuhiko|author-link=Kazuhiko Torishima|title=「ドラゴンボールZ 超武闘伝烈戦記」|magazine=V Jump|issue=6|publisher=Shueisha|date=April 4, 1993|pages=50–53|lang=ja}} Due to the popularity of fighting games at the time such as Street Fighter II: The World Warrior, Suzuki stated he chose to work on a fighting game when assigned to a new project due to it being his favorite genre.

Dragon Ball Z: Super Butōden was first released by Bandai in Japan on March 20, 1993, and later in Europe on November 30 of the same year.{{cite web|url=https://dbgame.bn-ent.net/lineup/|title=Line Up|work=Dragon Ball Game Portal|publisher=Bandai Namco Entertainment|access-date=2020-12-20|language=ja|archive-date=2020-08-31|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200831141908/https://dbgame.bn-ent.net/lineup/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://as.com/meristation/plataformas/super_nes/lanzamientos/1993/|title=Lanzamientos de juegos de Super NES durante 1993|work={{ill|MeriStation|lt=MeriStation|es|MeriStation}}|publisher=PRISA|date=2020|access-date=2020-12-20|language=es}} On March 27, 1993, an album was published exclusively in Japan by Columbia, featuring arranged songs co-composed by Yamamoto, Ginji Ogawa and Sueaki Harada of Hyper Monolith.{{cite web|url=http://www.oricon.co.jp/music/release/d/70509/2/|title=ドラゴンボールＺ～超武闘伝/ゲーム・ミュージック|publisher=Oricon|date=2009|access-date=2020-12-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090611032411/http://www.oricon.co.jp/music/release/d/70509/2/|archive-date=2009-06-11|url-status=live}} In Japan, a special glitter sticker with a hidden technique written on the back for the game was also distributed as an order bonus.{{cite magazine|last=Torishima|first=Kazuhiko|author-link=Kazuhiko Torishima|title=ドラゴンボールZ 超武闘伝|magazine=V Jump|issue=10|publisher=Shueisha|date=August 1993|pages=212–213|lang=ja}} In 2018, the title was included as a limited pre-order bonus for the Nintendo Switch version of Dragon Ball FighterZ, marking its first appearance in North American regions.{{cite web|last=Doolan|first=Liam|url=https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2018/09/super_butoden_will_remain_exclusive_to_dragon_ball_fighterz_pre-orders|title=Super Butoden Will Remain Exclusive To Dragon Ball FighterZ Pre-Orders - Buy now or miss out|work=Nintendo Life|publisher=Nlife Media|date=September 16, 2018|access-date=2020-12-20|archive-date=2020-11-11|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201111175503/https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2018/09/super_butoden_will_remain_exclusive_to_dragon_ball_fighterz_pre-orders|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last=Carter|first=Chris|url=https://www.destructoid.com/stories/bandai-namco-clarifies-that-they-aren-t-releasing-super-butoden-switch-outside-of-dragon-ball-fighterz-pre-orders-523112.phtml|title=Bandai Namco clarifies that they aren't releasing Super Butoden Switch outside of Dragon Ball FighterZ pre-orders - Gulp|work=Destructoid|publisher=Enthusiast Gaming|date=September 17, 2018|access-date=2020-12-20}}{{cite web|last=Nagaoka|first=Yori|url=https://game.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/news/1144683.html|title=Nintendo Switch用「ドラゴンボール ファイターズ」本日発売！ - 最大6人のオフラインプレイが可能|work=GAME Watch|publisher=Impress Corporation|date=September 27, 2018|access-date=2020-12-20|language=ja|archive-date=2018-09-28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180928121334/https://game.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/news/1144683.html|url-status=live}} On October of the same year, Bandai Namco Entertainment announced that the game would be unlocked for free to Switch users in Latin America if their official newsletter reached 10,000 subscribers.

{{Infobox album

| name = Dragon Ball Z: Super Butoden Game Music

| type = Soundtrack

| artist = Hyper Monolith

| cover =

| alt =

| released = {{start date|1993|03|27}}

| recorded =

| venue =

| studio =

| genre = Anime/Video Game

| length = 46:25

| language = Japanese

| label = Columbia

| producer =

| prev_title =

| prev_year =

| next_title =

| next_year =

}}

{{nihongo|Dragon Ball Z: Super Butoden Game Music|ドラゴンボールZ超武闘伝ゲームミュージック|Doragon Bōru Zetto Chō Butōden Gēmu Myūjikku|Dragon Ball Z: Super Fighting Story Game Music}} is the official licensed soundtrack of the video game. It was released by Columbia Records on March 27, 1993.{{cite web |url= http://www.oricon.co.jp/music/release/d/70509/2/|title= Dragon Ball Z: Super Butoden Game Music|access-date=2009-02-09 |publisher= Oricon|language= ja}}

This album features arranged (reproduced in a higher quality of musical resources.) tracks that were performed by Hyper Monolith.

Track listing:

1. 《オープニング》超武闘伝のテーマ
   《Ōpuningu》 Sūpā Butôden no Tēma/《Opening》 Theme of Super Butôden
2. 《バトルステージ1》ピッコロのテーマ
   《Batoru Sutēji Wan》 Pikkoro no Tēma/《Battle Stage 1》 Theme of Piccolo
3. 《バトルステージ2》ベジータのテーマ
   《Batoru Sutēji Tzu》 Bejīta no Tēma/《Battle Stage 2》 Theme of Vegeta
4. 《バトルステージ3》フリーザのテーマ
   《Batoru Sutēji Surī》 Furīza no Tēma/《Battle Stage 3》 Theme of Freeza
5. 《バトルステージ4》人造人間20号のテーマ
   《Batoru Sutēji Foru》Jinzōningen Jūnigō no Tēma/《Battle Stage 4》Theme of Artificial Human #20
6. 《バトルステージ5》人造人間18号のテーマ
   《Batoru Sutēji Faivu》Jinzōningen Jūhachigō no Tēma/《Battle Stage 5》Theme of Artificial Human #18
7. コンティニューのテーマ
   Kontinyū no Tēma/Theme of Continue
8. 《バトルステージ6》セルのテーマ
   《Batoru Sutēji Shikkusu》Seru no Tēma/《Battle Stage 6》Theme of Cell
9. 《バトルステージ7》人造人間16号のテーマ
   《Batoru Sutēji Seban》Jinzôningen Jūrokugō no Tēma/《Battle Stage 7》Theme of Artificial Human #16
10. 《バトルステージ8》セル完全体のテーマ
    《Batoru Sutēji Etto》Seru Kanzentai no Tēma/《Battle Stage 8》 Theme of Perfect Cell
11. ファイナル・バトルのテーマ
    Fainaru Batoru no Tēma/Theme of Final Battle
12. 《エンディング》新たなる闘いへ
    《Endingu》Arata Naru Tatakai e/《Ending》Toward a New Battle
13. 《???》超武闘伝:?のテーマ
    《???》Sūpā Butōden: ? no Tēma/《???》Theme of Super Butôden: ?

{{Video game reviews

|CP = 88%{{cite magazine|author1=Spirit|last2=Defrance|first2=Laurent|last3=Hermellin|first3=François|url=https://www.abandonware-magazines.org/affiche_mag.php?mag=51&num=6891&album=oui|title=Super Famicom Review: Dragon Ball Z|magazine={{ill|Consoles +|lt=Consoles +|fr|Consoles +}}|issue=20|publisher={{ill|M.E.R.7|lt=M.E.R.7|fr|M.E.R.7}}|date=May 1993|pages=80–84|lang=fr|access-date=2020-12-20|archive-date=2018-08-22|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180822113034/http://www.abandonware-magazines.org/affiche_mag.php?mag=51&num=6891&album=oui|url-status=live}}

|Fam = 27/40{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/details/weekly-famitsu-no.-226-april-16th-1993/page/n36/mode/1up|title=NEW GAMES CROSS REVIEW: ドラゴンボールZ 超武闘伝|magazine=Famitsu|issue=226|publisher=ASCII Corporation|date=April 16, 1993|page=37|access-date=2020-12-20|lang=ja|archive-date=December 21, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201221010602/https://www.famitsu.com/games/t/1112/reviews/|url-status=live}}

|GameFan = 314/400{{cite magazine|last1=Halverson|first1=Dave|author-link1=Dave Halverson|author2=Sgt. Gamer|last3=Stratton|first3=Tom|last4=Cockburn|first4=Andrew|url=https://archive.org/stream/Gamefan_Vol_1_Issue_06#page/n18/mode/1up |title=Viewpoint (Nintendo) - Dragon Ball Z; Super Famicom Review - Dragon Ball Z|magazine=GameFan|volume=1|issue=6|publisher=DieHard Gamers Club|date=May 1993|pages=21, [https://archive.org/stream/Gamefan_Vol_1_Issue_06#page/n76/mode/1up 79]}}

|JXV = 13/20{{cite web|author=Rroyd-Y|url=https://www.jeuxvideo.com/articles/0001/00013511-dragon-ball-z-test.htm|title=Test de Dragon Ball Z sur SNES par jeuxvideo.com|work=Jeuxvideo.com|publisher=Webedia|date=September 28, 2010|access-date=2020-12-20|language=fr|archive-date=2020-11-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201126095604/https://www.jeuxvideo.com/articles/0001/00013511-dragon-ball-z-test.htm|url-status=live}}

|JP = 77%{{cite magazine|last1=Prézeau|first1=Olivier|last2=Hellot|first2=Grégoire|url=https://www.abandonware-magazines.org/affiche_mag.php?mag=84&num=1786&album=oui|title=Super Nintnedo: Combat Glacial Du Bien Contre Le Mal - Dragon Ball Z|magazine={{ill|Joypad (magazine)|lt=Joypad|fr|Joypad (magazine)}}|issue=20|publisher={{ill|Yellow Media (publisher)|lt=Yellow Media|fr|Yellow Media}}|date=May 1993|pages=68–69|lang=fr|access-date=2020-12-21|archive-date=2020-12-21|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201221010553/https://www.abandonware-magazines.org/affiche_mag.php?mag=84&num=1786&album=oui|url-status=live}}
88%{{cite magazine|last1=Deheppe|first1=Laurent|last2=Hellot|first2=Grégoire|url=https://archive.org/stream/joypad-magazine-024#page/n117/mode/1up|title=Méga Dossier - Dragon Ball Z; Super Nintnedo: Cha-La, Head Cha-La! - Dragon Ball Z|magazine={{ill|Joypad (magazine)|lt=Joypad|fr|Joypad (magazine)}}|issue=24|publisher={{ill|Yellow Media (publisher)|lt=Yellow Media|fr|Yellow Media}}|date=October 1993|pages=114–117, 118|lang=fr}}

|PO = 92%{{cite magazine|author=Sylvain|url=https://archive.org/stream/playerone-magazine-035#page/n83/mode/2up|title=Jeux Testés: Super Nintendo – Dragon Ball Z|magazine={{ill|Player One (magazine)|lt=Player One|fr|Player One (magazine)}}|issue=35|publisher={{ill|Média Système Édition|lt=Média Système Édition|fr|Média Système Édition}}|date=October 1993|pages=100–102|lang=fr}}

|SJ = 92/100{{cite magazine|last=Sol|first=Bruno|url=https://archive.org/stream/Superjuegos_020#page/n41/mode/2up|title=Super Nintendo: La Furia De Son Goku - Dragon Ball Z|magazine={{ill|Superjuegos|lt=Superjuegos|es|Superjuegos}}|issue=20|publisher=Grupo Zeta|date=December 1993|pages=42–49|lang=es}}

|SP = 73%{{cite magazine|last=Bielby|first=Matt|author-link=Matt Bielby|url=https://archive.org/stream/Superplay_Issue_08_1993-06_Future_Publishing_GB#page/n56/mode/1up|title=Import Review: Dragon Ball Z|magazine=Super Play|issue=8|publisher=Future Publishing|date=June 1993|page=57}}

|rev1 = Nintendo Acción

|rev1Score = {{Rating|3|4}}{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/stream/Nintendo_Accion_012#page/n43/mode/2up|title=Super Stars - Super Nintendo: Dragon Ball Z|magazine=Nintendo Acción|issue=12|publisher=Hobby Press|date=November 1993|pages=44–47|lang=es}}

|rev2 = Play Time

|rev2Score = 69%{{cite magazine|last=Martin|first=Klaus|url=https://retrocdn.net/index.php?title=File:PlayTime_DE_1993-07.pdf&page=93|title=Super NES Review: Marios Magic - Dragon Ball Z (Import)|magazine=Play Time|issue=25|publisher=Computec|date=July 1993|page=109|lang=de|access-date=2020-12-20|archive-date=2020-12-21|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201221010527/https://retrocdn.net/index.php?title=File%3APlayTime_DE_1993-07.pdf&page=93|url-status=live}}

|rev3 = Super Action

|rev3Score = 16%{{cite magazine|last=O'Connor|first=Frank|url=https://archive.org/stream/super-action-09#page/n29/mode/2up|title=Import Review: The current fashion for games based on Japanese cartoons reaches a nightmarish peak in Dragonball Z. Is this an amazing new game, or a pile of poop? - Dragon Ball Z|magazine=Super Action|issue=9|publisher=Europress|date=June 1993|pages=30–31}}

|rev4 = Super Control

|rev4Score = 57%{{cite magazine|last1=West|first1=Allison|last2=Mallinson|first2=Paul|url=https://archive.org/stream/super-control-02#page/n39/mode/2up|title=Super Review: More Weird Antics From Out Japanese Cousins - Dragonball Z|magazine=Super Control|issue=2 |date=July 1993|pages=40–41}}

|rev5 = Super Pro

|rev5Score = 51%{{cite magazine|last=Butt|first=Ryan|url=https://archive.org/stream/super-pro-06#page/30/mode/2up|title=Review Import - Dragon Ball Z|magazine=Super Pro|issue=6|publisher=Paragon Publishing|date=May 1993|pages=30–31}}

|award1Pub = Famimaga (1993)

|award1 = Best 30 by Game Report Card Division, Character 28th, Originality 21st{{cite magazine|title=90年11月から'93年6月21日発売までの323本を収録!! Super Famicom All Catalog '93 8月情報号特別付録 - ドラゴンボールＺ 超武闘伝|magazine=Famimaga|issue=16|publisher=Tokuma Shoten|date=August 1, 1993|pages=22, 104–107|lang=ja}}

}}

Upon release in Japan, Dragon Ball Z: Super Butōden topped the Famitsu sales charts in March 1993.{{cite magazine |title=Weekly Top 30 (3月15日〜3月21日) |magazine=Famicom Tsūshin |issue=226 |date=16 April 1993 |pages=14–5 |url=https://archive.org/details/Famitsu0226Apr161993/page/n13/mode/2up |lang=ja}}{{cite magazine |title=Weekly Top 30 (3月22日〜3月28日) |magazine=Famicom Tsūshin |issue=227 |date=23 April 1993 |pages=[https://i.imgur.com/RftVh5Y.jpg 14] to [https://i.imgur.com/SdPm7mM.jpg 15] |lang=ja}} Two months after its release in Japan, the title recorded sales of 1.3 million units.{{cite magazine|last=Torishima|first=Kazuhiko|author-link=Kazuhiko Torishima|title=ドラゴンボールZ外伝 -サイヤ人絶滅計画-|magazine=V Jump|issue=11|publisher=Shueisha|date=September 1993|pages=49–53|lang=ja}} It proved to be a commercial hit, with lifetime sales between 1.41 million and, according to Famitsu, 1.45 million units, in Japan alone.{{cite web|url=https://sites.google.com/site/gamedatalibrary/game-search|title=Game Search|website=Game Data Library|access-date=2020-12-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190424035430/https://sites.google.com/site/gamedatalibrary/game-search|archive-date=2019-04-24|url-status=live}}

Dragon Ball Z: Super Butōden received mostly positive reception from critics.{{cite web|last=Walter|first=Joseph|url=https://www.thegamer.com/dragon-ball-z-classic-90s-games/|title=25 Classic 90s Dragon Ball Z Games That Only Super Fans Knew About - Dragon Ball came to the west rather late, meaning that fans missed out on some of the best DBZ games from the 90s|work=TheGamer|date=April 24, 2019|access-date=2020-12-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190501130809/https://www.thegamer.com/dragon-ball-z-classic-90s-games/|archive-date=2019-05-01|url-status=live}} Famitsu praised the voice samples, the split-screen feature, ability to avoid special moves via button inputs and auto mode for newcomers. Fan reception was positive: readers of Famimaga voted to give the game a 23.08 out of 30 score, ranking at the number 46 spot in a poll, indicating a large popular following. Famimaga also gave it several awards for character and originality respectively.

Spirit, Laurent Defrance and François Hermellin of {{ill|Consoles +|lt=Consoles +|fr|Consoles +}} praised the audiovisual presentation, playability and longevity. Olivier Prézeau, Grégoire Hellot and Laurent Deheppe of {{ill|Joypad (magazine)|lt=Joypad|fr|Joypad (magazine)}} commended the digitized sounds, aerial combat, character roster and sprite animations but criticized various aspects such as the visuals for being poor and the French translation. Super Pro{{'}}s Ryan Butt gave positive remarks to the graphics and sound, characters and their special moves, as well as regarding the split-screen effect to be novel but noted it could become cumbersome, while criticizing the gameplay for being repetitive. Super Action{{'}}s Frank O'Connor gave a more negative outlook to the game, regarding it to be an "unplayable" Street Fighter II clone. Super Play{{'}}s Matt Bielby gave positive comment to the graphics, cast of characters, originality and number of special moves but noted it to be "hard to access." Play Time{{'}}s Klaus Martin also commended the audiovisual presentation but felt mixed in regards to the gameplay. Super Control{{'}}s Allison West and Paul Mallinson also felt mixed about the visuals, sound, gameplay and overall longevity. In contrast, Sylvain of {{ill|Player One (magazine)|lt=Player One|fr|Player One (magazine)}} gave a very positive review of the title, giving it high remarks in multiple areas.

Spanish magazine Nintendo Acción gave very high remarks to the visuals, audio, gameplay and fun factor. Bruno Sol of {{ill|Superjuegos|lt=Superjuegos|es|Superjuegos}} praised its faithfulness to the original manga, graphics, sound design and number of moves for each character, regarding it as one of the best arcade-style fighting games for Super Nintendo. Jeuxvideo.com{{'}}s Rroyd-Y stated that "This first game in a successful trilogy is surely not the best episode of the three. Stained by a very heavy gameplay and a disconcerting difficulty, it will really only delight the unconditional fans of the time who seek at all costs to slip into the skin of Son Goku or Vegeta."

{{Clear}}

{{notelist}}

{{Reflist|30em}}

{{Portal|1990s|Anime and manga|Japan|Video games}}

• [https://www.giantbomb.com/dragon-ball-z-super-butoden/3030-21941/ Dragon Ball Z: Super Butōden] at Giant Bomb
• [https://www.mobygames.com/game/snes/dragon-ball-z-super-butden Dragon Ball Z: Super Butōden] at MobyGames

{{Dragon Ball games}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Dragon Ball Z: Super Butōden}}

Category:1993 video games

Category:Bandai games

Category:Dragon Ball games

Category:Fighting games

Category:Multiplayer and single-player video games

Category:Split-screen multiplayer games

Category:Super Nintendo Entertainment System games

Category:Super Nintendo Entertainment System-only games

Category:Tose (company) games

Category:Video games developed in Japan

Category:Video games scored by Kenji Yamamoto (composer, born 1958)