Dragon Ball: Shenron no Nazo

Dragon Ball: Shenron no Nazo
Developer(s)	TOSE Software Co.
Publisher(s)	Bandai
Release date(s)	JPN November 27, 1986 US March 1988 EU 1988
Genre(s)	Action
Platform(s)	Family Computer
Media	Cartridge
Input	Famicom controller

Dragon Ball: Shenron no Nazo (ドラゴンボール 神龍の謎; lit. "Dragon Ball: Mystery of Shenron") is the second video game based on the Dragon Ball series (its predecessor being Dragon Ball: Dragon Daihikyou) and the first Dragon Ball game produced and distributed by Bandai. It is an action game developed by TOSE Software Company. It was released for the Family Computer on November 27, 1986 in Japan. Outside Japan, a graphically altered version released for the North American market in March 1988 under the title of Dragon Power, which divorced the game from the Dragon Ball licensing. A European version which retained the license, simply titled Dragon Ball, was also released in 1990 primarily for the French market.

Shenron no Nazo is included as a bonus feature in the Japanese release of Dragon Ball: Origins 2 for Nintendo DS, and it is one of the games included in the game compilation J Legend Retsuden for Nintendo 3DS.

Overview

Gameplay footage on the 1st Stage

Shenron no Nazo consists of 2D overhead areas where Goku must fight many enemies, and switches to side-scrolling sequences for the boss fights.

The first fight against Yamcha

The game stars Goku and roughly follows the first two volumes of the Dragon Ball manga where he encounters many enemies and allies while collecting the Dragon Balls, culminating in the first wish from Shenron in the Emperor Pilaf Saga (levels 1 to 6). Goku then enters a World Martial Arts Tournament for levels 7 to 10 and faces off against various strong opponents. Finally, levels 11 to 14 depict Goku borrowing the Dragon Radar from Bulma and heading out in search of his Grandpa Gohan's keepsake, the Four-Star Dragon Ball.

Chapters

1. "Let's meet the Turtle" – Takes place on Mount Paozu. The boss is Bear Thief.
2. "Oh evil Oolong" – Takes place in Aru Village. The boss is Oolong.
3. "Cold Yamcha in the desert" – This chapter takes place in Diablo Desert. The boss is Yamcha.
4. "Between Fire Mountain and Ox-King" – This chapter takes place on Fire Mountain. The boss is Ox-King.
5. "Not the Rabbit" – This chapter takes place in Monster Carrot's Village. The boss is Monster Carrot.
6. "Pilaf's battle" – This chapter takes place in Pilaf's Castle. The "boss" is Emperor Pilaf.
7. "Kung fu Tournament - First Round" – The boss is Krillin.
8. "Kung fu Tournament - Second Round" – The boss is Major Metallitron.
9. "Kung fu Tournament - Semi-Final" – The boss is Yamcha.
10. "Kung fu Tournament - Final" – The boss is Buyon.
11. "Monster Carrot's Revenge" – Goku goes on the moon to battle Monster Carrot.
12. "Seven Island" – Takes place on islands. The bosses are duo of giant crabs.
13. "Jungle King Bimbo" – This chapter takes place in the jungle. The boss is Bimbo.
14. "Candy" – Takes place in the Konpei Tower. Goku fights Krillin, Ox-King, and the Pilaf Robot.

Versions

American version

American version

Although the Japanese and European editions of the game used familiar art and music from the Dragon Ball anime, the American release features altered graphics, sound and Goku was changed to more closely resemble an Americanized Kung Fu stereotype, being pictured on the cover artwork with a white gi and blue headband.

Gameplay of the American version

Master Roshi, similarly has been changed to look more like a traditional martial arts master, and to censor scenes deemed inappropriate, has a fondness for sandwiches, especially Bulma's. Bulma is renamed "Nora", Yamcha is renamed "Lancer", Oolong is renamed "Pudgy" (and referred to as a child instead of a pig), the Kamehameha is the "Wind Wave", and the Dragon Balls are referred to as "Crystal Balls".

European version

The European edition of the game was only released in France and it retained the license using familiar art and music from the Dragon Ball anime. It is also the first Famicom/NES game translated into French, however this translation includes many misspellings and errors.

Characters

Goku Bulma Pterodactyl Bear Thief Turtle Master Roshi

Alexi's Father Oolong Yamcha Puar Ox-King Chi-Chi

Rabbit Mob Monster Carrot Shu Mai Emperor Pilaf Krillin

Major Metallitron Buyon Grandma Paozu Kurilien Bimbo Shenron

Wishes

At the end of levels 6 and 14, Bulma assembles the balls and summon the dragon. Shenron can grant one wish among a list of four.

In level 6, the wishes are:

1. Move Dragon Title: Choosing this wish will cause Shenron to animate on the title screen of the game. It has no effect on the actual game play.
2. Future: Jump immediately to the "Monster Rabbit's Revenge" chapter, skipping the world tournament levels.
3. Power Up: The game will continue as normal, however Goku will now have a maximum power meter of 250 instead of 150.
4. Panties: Rewitness the scene where Master Roshi gets to see Bulma's panties, and his nose bleeds. Then the game will proceed as normal.

In level 14, the wishes are:

1. Move Dragon Title: Choosing this wish will cause Shenron to animate on the title screen of the game. The ending will proceed as normal.
2. Time Travel: Jump immediately back to the beginning of the game, being allowed to continue with the current score and power level.
3. Get Panties: Rewitness the scene where Master Roshi gets to see Bulma's panties, and his nose bleeds. Then the ending will proceed as normal.
4. Touch Bulma: Rewitness the scene where Oolong shapeshifts into Bulma and Master Roshi touches his chest. Then the ending will proceed as normal.

Trivia

• "Dragon Power" is also the name of the Japanese ending theme for Dragon Ball Z: Bio-Broly.
• This is the first Dragon Ball game to be released in Europe, it was followed by the Butōden series.
• The game was released the same day the episode "Horrifying Buyon" aired in Japan.

Gallery

Title screen Bulma and Goku Gameplay footage on the 1st Stage The first fight against the Bear Thief A Pterodactyl as seen in the game The second fight against the Bear Thief Roshi and Trutle The 2nd Stage: Aru Village Bats in one of the houses Oolong's mansion Fight against Oolong (transformed into a bat) 3rd Stage: Diablo Desert Inside a cave in the desert Yamcha in the desert Puar in the desert The first fight against Yamcha Yamcha's hideout The second fight against Yamcha Yamcha and Puar 4th Stage: Fire Mountain Roshi charges the MAX Power Kamehameha Yamcha and Goku The fight against the Ox-King 5th Stage: Monster Carrot's village The Rabbit Mob Yamcha and Goku 6th Stage: Pilaf's Castle The mini-boss of Pilaf's Castle Mai Shu Pilaf Martial arts school Krillin Roshi and Goku Major Metallitron Yamcha Roshi and Goku Buyon Stage 11 Monster Carrot talks to Goku Goku vs Monster Carrot on the moon Goku Stage 12: "Seven Island" Two giant crabs Stage 13 Jungle King Bimbo After defeating Krillin in Stage 14 The Pilaf Robot, final boss Bulma summons Shenron Shenron The final wish Roshi suffers from a nose bleed Pilaf Shenron no Nazo included in J Legend Retsuden

External links

• Dragon Ball: Shenron no Nazo walkthrough at strategywiki.org (English)
• Dragon Ball: Shenron no Nazo walkthrough (Japanese)
• Dragon Ball: Shenron no Nazo walkthrough video