Warm greetings to all those video game lovers. Welcome once again to another content of my authorship. I have taken very seriously the analysis and reviews of retro video games, so you will see me more often here sharing this type of content with all of you, for me it is always a pleasure.

Today I want to share with you a “Retro Review” of the iconic game Dragon Ball Z: Super Butouden 2 from the Super Nintendo (SNES). And without further ado, let's start with this old school retro content.

Dragon Ball Z: Super Butouden 2, released in 1993 for the Super Nintendo, covers some of the most exciting arcs in the Dragon Ball Z series, such as the Android saga, the appearance of Cell and the Tournament of Power. The game includes a story mode that allows players to experience iconic events from the series, albeit with some variations in the narrative to suit the fighting game format. Fans can choose from characters such as Gohan, Vegeta, Trunks, Piccolo, and the villains Android 18 and Cell. Each character has their own path, which adds some replayability to the title. However, the narrative may seem confusing to those unfamiliar with the series, as the game omits some important plot details.

In terms of gameplay, Super Butouden 2 follows the style of classic 2D fighting games. Battles take place on a variety of stages, and characters can move in the air and on the ground, allowing for both ground-level and sky-level fights. One of the highlights is the inclusion of special attacks and signature moves for each character, such as Goku's Kamehameha and Vegeta's Final Flash.

The game introduces the energy duel system, where players can launch massive energy attacks and counter those of the enemy, resulting in an intense fight to see who prevails. These moments perfectly capture the essence of the series' epic combat. However, the fighting system can feel a bit stiff and slow by modern standards, and the AI can be quite unforgiving, adding to the difficulty, especially for novice players.

The controls of Super Butouden 2 are simple, with basic moves mapped to the SNES buttons. Performing special moves requires button combinations, which can be challenging at first. Executing some attacks, especially the more powerful ones, can feel clumsy due to the precision required for the commands. Despite the learning curve, the controls become more manageable with practice, allowing players to perform combos and special attacks with greater ease. However, the lack of smoothness in the controls and slow response can be frustrating, especially in more intense fights.

For an SNES game of the era, Super Butouden 2 offers impressive graphics. Character sprites are well detailed and capture the essence of Akira Toriyama's designs. Special attack animations are vibrant and true to the series, with visual effects such as energy blasts and flashes of light adding excitement to the fights. The stages are varied and include iconic locations from the Dragon Ball universe, such as the Martial Arts Tournament and the rocky desert, although they lack background animations and interactive details. However, compared to modern game graphics standards, movements can appear somewhat stiff and limited.

The soundtrack of Super Butouden 2 is remarkable and captures the intensity of the combat with energetic themes and catchy melodies. The music tracks are in keeping with the atmosphere of the series, and although the sound quality is limited by the capabilities of the SNES, it manages to convey the excitement and tension of the fights. Sound effects, such as punches, explosions and energy attacks, are satisfying and provide a nice complement to the on-screen action. However, the lack of digitized voices may be a disappointment, as hearing the characters shout out their attacks would have added an extra layer of authenticity to the game.

Dragon Ball Z: Super Butouden 2 is a fighting game that managed to capture the essence of the series in its time, giving fans the opportunity to experience some of the anime's most epic battles. The gameplay, although limited and with some clunky controls, offers an entertaining experience, especially with the inclusion of energy attacks and power duels. The graphics and soundtrack are strong points, highlighting the visual effects of the attacks and the melodies that accompany the fights.

However, the game has its weaknesses. The controls can be frustrating for players looking for a more fluid fighting experience, and the difficulty can be daunting for beginners. In addition, the story, while interesting for fans of the series, can be confusing for those unfamiliar with the Dragon Ball Z universe.

In conclusion, “Dragon Ball Z: Super Butouden 2” is a nostalgic piece that offers a unique experience for Dragon Ball Z fans. While it hasn't aged perfectly, its value lies in its ability to take players back to a time when power battles and epic showdowns were at the heart of anime-based fighting games. It's a title worth revisiting for those who wish to relive the magic of Dragon Ball in its 16-bit heyday.