June 6 2001

     Yes, another major piece of Dragonball news from FUNimation announced on the same day. It looks like the first DBZ game in North America, "The Legacy of Goku," will come out for the Gameboy Advance... By the description of the game I am hoping that this doesn't cause every kid on the block to go Pokemon all over again.

The following is directly from the Official DBZ site, edited by yours truly for your comfort:

INFOGRAMES, INC. REVEALS ITS FIRST DRAGON BALL Z®
GAME, THE LEGACY OF GOKU®
Phenomenally Popular Property Headed to Game Boy® Advance This Winter

PLYMOUTH, MN, June 5, 2001 - Unveiling the first details surrounding its lineup of eagerly anticipated video games based on the Dragon Ball Z® property, WizardWorks, a division of Infogrames, Inc. (Nasdaq: IFGM) announced today The Legacy of Goku® for the Game Boy® Advance. Developed by Webfoot™ Technologies, Inc., The Legacy of Goku® is an action-adventure game complimented by engaging role-playing elements, that challenges players to defeat enemies throughout various quests in an effort to save Earth from the Saiyans, and save the galaxy from the evil Frieza. As the story unfolds, players explore vast lands and interact with numerous characters as they attempt to complete their quest.

"Dragon Ball Z® has a loyal following in the millions, and our primary goal with The Legacy of Goku® is to provide them with a compelling interactive game that stays true to the cartoon series," said Paul Rinde, senior vice president and general manager of WizardWorks. "To that end, we've incorporated the same distinctive visual style and deep character development, and combined them with proven game features such as multi-play and dynamic story telling."

In The Legacy of Goku®, the kidnapping of Goku's son sets off a chain of events that ultimately threatens the safety of the galaxy. Powerful alien forces converge on Earth to acquire the powerful Dragon Balls -- objects which when brought together grant the possessor a single wish. Ultimately, the stage moves to the distant planet of Namek, one of the sources of the Dragon Balls, where an entity of mind-boggling strength, Frieza, is preparing to gain immortality by enslaving the galaxy. It's up to Goku and his friends to stop Frieza before it's too late.

Throughout The Legacy of Goku®, players can build up and maximize their character's powers to aid their quest during future battles. Success in combat depends on mastering the balance of Melee versus Ki fighting. In story mode, the primary mode of single-player action, players move from chapter to chapter, completing quests and fighting battles. However, gamers can also play several chapters at once, simultaneously controlling different characters and accomplishing different tasks.

-Kaiosama