Dragon Ball GT: Final Bout

Dragon Ball GT: Final Bout is a 3D fighting game based on the famous Dragon Ball series. Developed by TOSE and published by Bandai, it was first released in Japan in August 1997 for the PlayStation, with later versions reaching North America and Europe. Known for being one of the earliest Dragon Ball games to feature fully three-dimensional graphics, it let players battle using well-known heroes and villains from Dragon Ball Z and Dragon Ball GT.

Unlike earlier 2D entries, Final Bout introduced move depth and camera angles that gave matches a distinctive, cinematic look. Players could clash both on the ground and in midair, chaining combos with energy blasts and melee attacks. Each character had unique fighting moves and powerful energy attacks, including special “Meteor Attacks” that captured the intense feel of the anime’s biggest battles.

The playable cast included fan favorites like Goku, Vegeta, Trunks, Pan, and Gohan in both normal and Super Saiyan forms. It also featured Dragon Ball GT exclusives such as Super Saiyan 4 Goku and Baby Vegeta, which made the roster especially interesting for fans when it debuted. Hidden fighters could be unlocked after completing specific challenges, giving the game more replay value as players worked to uncover every character.

The visuals were considered groundbreaking for a Dragon Ball title at the time, showing detailed character models and dynamic energy effects. The soundtrack, voice work, and attack animations helped tie the experience closely to the anime. Still, gameplay balance and slow movement speed were often criticized by reviewers in its early days. When it was re-released internationally in the early 2000s, many fans gained a new appreciation for it as a nostalgic piece of Dragon Ball gaming history.

Today, Dragon Ball GT: Final Bout remains noteworthy as a milestone that bridged older 2D fighting games and modern 3D fighters in the series. Players can easily experience it again by visiting kbhgames.com, where the game is available to play for free, directly in any web browser with no installation required.

While later Dragon Ball games refined the formula, Final Bout still stands as an important experiment that pushed the franchise into new technical and visual territory. Whether revisiting it for nostalgia or exploring it for the first time, players can see how this early 3D entry helped shape what the Dragon Ball fighting games would eventually become.