Saiyans

Lore & Background

The history of the Saiyans is a tragic cycle of ambition and destruction. As an elite military caste, they were bred for combat, utilizing a biological switch in the form of a tail that allowed them to transform into monstrous Great Apes under the light of a full moon or artificial Blutz Waves. This power made them invaluable assets to Frieza's empire, yet their loyalty was always transactional. The prophecy of the Super Saiyan—a legendary warrior capable of surpassing gods—haunted the race, leading Frieza to preemptively destroy Planet Vegeta and almost every Saiyan in existence. The few survivors, including Raditz, Goku, and Vegeta, were sent to other worlds as children. While most retained their violent nature, the unique upbringing of Kakarot (Goku) on Earth fundamentally altered the race's trajectory. Instead of becoming conquerors, the Saiyans on Earth learned compassion and the value of protecting life. This shift allowed them to unlock new levels of potential, such as the Super Saiyan God and Ultra Instinct states, proving that their destiny was not written by blood alone but shaped by the hearts they chose to cultivate.

In Their Own Story

The dust of a destroyed planet still hung in the void where Vegeta once stood, a silent monument to a fallen empire. On a distant blue world, two warriors clashed with energy that could shatter stars. One fought for survival and pride, his hair blazing gold; the other fought for peace and family, his aura burning crimson. They were the last of their kind, remnants of a race once feared across twelve universes. Yet, in this moment, they were not conquerors or slaves to an emperor. They were guardians, standing back-to-back against a threat that sought to erase existence itself, proving that the Saiyan spirit was not defined by destruction, but by the unyielding will to protect what matters most.

Reader's Guide

The Saiyans function less as a unified political faction and more as a biological lineage of elite warriors scattered across the universe. Their primary goal has shifted dramatically over time: from galactic subjugation under Frieza's command to the protection of Universe 7 and its allies. Key members include Goku, the most powerful warrior in his universe who often sets the standard for Saiyan potential; Vegeta, the proud prince who struggles with his heritage before embracing his role as a family man and defender; Gohan, whose latent power represents the next generation's balance of intellect and strength; and Trunks, a time-traveling hybrid who bridges past and future threats. In the broader conflict of Dragon Ball Super, Saiyans serve as the primary counter-force to existential threats. Whether facing revived tyrants like Frieza, artificial beings like Cell, or godly entities like Beerus and Zeno, the Saiyans are consistently at the forefront. Their unique physiology allows them to adapt and evolve mid-battle, making them indispensable assets in any crisis where raw power is required to tip the scales of fate.

Did You Know?

• Saiyan tails can regenerate if severed; for example, Vegeta's tail grew back after being cut by Yajirobe.
• The name 'Vegeta' comes from King Vegeta's planet, which was renamed in his honor before its destruction.
• Goku's Saiyan name, Kakarot, is a Japanese pun derived from the vegetable concept, not a direct transliteration of the English word 'Carrot'.
• The Saiyan race is capable of increasing their power levels significantly after recovering from severe injuries that nearly kill them.

Gameplay Mechanics and Character Selection

Unlike traditional action fighters, movement across the map and specific combat choices are dictated entirely by randomly generated playing cards drawn during gameplay. The roster allows players to control iconic heroes including Goku, Gohan, Piccolo, Trunks, and Vegeta, each bringing their unique capabilities to the strategic table. A notable feature is the six-player tournament mode, which pits human participants against computer-controlled opponents of varying difficulty levels stored within the save file. Progression is tracked meticulously; the game records tournament winners and documents any special moves learned by the player throughout their campaign. This blend of RPG elements with a card-based combat system created a unique experience that diverged from standard beat-em-up conventions while retaining the beloved characters fans expected.

Narrative Arc and Antagonist Origins

The story centers on Dr. Raichi, the sole survivor of the Tuffle race who once inhabited Planet Plant before being massacred by invading Saiyans. After the Saiyans stole Tuffle technology and renamed the world Planet Vegeta, Raichi fled to the Dark Planet to orchestrate a revenge plot aimed at eradicating the remaining Saiyan population. His initial attack involves deploying devices that emit Destron Gas on Earth, threatening total extinction within hours. While heroes like Goku and Vegeta manage to destroy most emitters, they face a final barrier protected by resurrected villains including Frieza, Cooler, Turles, and Lord Slug. King Kai reveals these foes are ghost warriors who regenerate unless defeated in the specific manner of their original deaths. The conflict culminates on the Dark Planet, where Raichi's Hatchihyack machine, powered by Tuffle hatred, creates a powerful android form after his own destruction. Only by combining their Super Saiyan transformations into a massive energy wave can the heroes finally neutralize this ultimate threat.

Media Adaptations and Production History

The game was adapted into an Original Video Animation (OVA) series directed by Shigeyasu Yamauchi, released in two parts on VHS that served as strategy guides for the gameplay. This animation featured a returning voice cast including Masako Nozawa and Ryō Horikawa, with music composed by Keiju Ishikawa utilizing synthesizers and drum loops. This newer version retained most of the original voice talent but omitted characters like Mr. Popo and Goddo Gadon while replacing the actor for Dr. Raichi, ensuring the story remained accessible to a new generation of fans.

Commercial Performance and Critical Reception

However, critical reception was mixed; the prominent Japanese gaming magazine Famitsu awarded the game a score of 22 out of 40, suggesting that while it found an audience, its mechanics or execution did not fully satisfy professional reviewers at the time. Composed and arranged by Keiju Ishikawa, the album features tracks listed in English rather than Japanese, highlighting an early international consideration in its presentation. The music ranges from synthesizer-heavy arrangements to guitar-driven pieces, capturing the atmospheric tension of the Destron Gas crisis and the epic scale of the final battles on the Dark Planet.