Everything in Dragon Ball: Origins is controlled with the stylus, though you can use the D pad to move Goku if you want. By tapping an icon, you can quickly switch between hand-to-hand combat and the power pole. Moves are activated by using the stylus in all sorts of engaging ways. Goku's abilities are easy to execute and well implemented, and none of the gestures feel arbitrary. You'll really feel as though you have full control over Goku and all of his moves. The stylus controls work well most of the time, but they can be a bit imprecise when enemies get too close. Some moves require you to tap Goku and then tap an enemy, but when the battleground is crowded, you'll usually end up doing a move you didn't intend to do. It's annoying when it happens, but most of the time the game provides ample space to maneuver away from enemies and set up your attack.
Dragon Ball: Origins is a visually stunning game. The classic art style of Akira Toriyama is brought to life in the detailed character models and lush environments. Goku and crew animate fluidly and feature a broad range of facial expressions and graphical flourishes like animated hair and clothing. In a nod to the original manga, the flashy attack effects are accompanied by a bright, comic-style font. The environments make good use of mood lighting and bright colors, and they mesh well with the character art style. If you're a fan of the show, you'll likely recognize many of the backgrounds, animations, and characters, as they seem to be lifted directly from the anime. The game makes great use of both screens, letting you see more of a level during gameplay and featuring dramatic camera angles during cutscenes. The 3D engine pushes the DS to its limits, and it shows in the frame rate, which can really take a hit when there are multiple enemies on the screen.
Like the visuals, the sounds and music are taken from and inspired by the classic show. The upbeat tunes give the game a lighthearted, cartoony feel, while occasional voice clips from the original English actors add a little humor to some scenes. Goku's grunts and cheerful exultations, in particular, help sell the character as an endlessly optimistic little boy.
Dragon Ball: Origins is one of the most complete Dragon Ball game adaptations. It sticks closer to the stories from the show than most Dragon Ball games, and it does so while also delivering a well-polished and highly enjoyable adventure. With nearly a dozen extra levels to unlock and hundreds of secrets and figurines to find, there's moderate replay value after you've had your fill of the main episodes. Whether you're a fan of the show or you're simply looking for a fun adventure on your DS, you can't go wrong with Dragon Ball: Origins.
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