How Many Playable and Support Characters Are in Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot?
Following Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot's initial announcement, more and more characters have been confirmed as playable for the game. Other minor characters, like Krillin, have been relegated to support character status, and this is something that may shock a ton of Dragon Ball Z fans. After all, since DBZ's primary video game genre has been fighting for so long, players are used to dozens of playable characters. Yet, thus far only 9 playable characters and a ahandful of support characters have been confirmed.
Some of them have been showcased extensively, with there already being a DBZ: Kakarot playable character trailer dedicated to early characters, whereas others not so much. At the time of this writing, the confirmed characters are Goku, Piccolo, Gohan (Kid, Teen, Adult), Vegeta, Trunks, Vegito, and Gotenks, a far cry from the 90 available characters in Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2. It's worth noting that this is likely due to the genre, and this gives DBZ fans a chance to explore every playable character more fully.
In conjunction with the 9 playable characters so far, there has also been 4 support characters confirmed for Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot. That is Krillin, Chiaotzu, Tien, and Yamcha, and because these characters wane in combat ability moving from the Saiyan Saga and Frieza Saga to the Cell Saga and Majin Buu saga, that doesn't seem to be the last of them. So, this begs the ultimate question of how many playable and support characters the game will have, and based on speculation and what we know about DBZ: Kakarot, here's a few educated guesses.
Kid Trunks & Goten - These two characters aren't the likeliest on this list, as they are never fully or individually involved with the major fights, but since their fusion Gotenks is, it's possible that they will be playable to some degree. Perhaps during training and attempts to become Gotenks? They also spar against each other a time or two and appear during the Buu Saga's initiating Martial Arts tournament, if in disguise.
Android 18 - After the events of the Cell Saga, Android 18 is brought back as a human and marries Krillin. She could feature in a few fights during the Cell Saga, against Vegeta and Cell, and perhaps later on in the Martial Arts tournament. Her presence wouldn't have to be extensive, but like Majin Vegeta, including "a bad guy" to play as could make up for the lack of characters.
Android 16 - If it were a choice between 18 and 16, Android 16 seems far more likely. Not only is he less aggressive, but he has a couple fights with Cell that could give him as much screentime as 18. Furthermore, Android 16 has a bigger role with Gohan's Super Saiyan 2 transformation in DBZ: Kakarot than in the anime, so it would make sense for there to be some training segments where he is playable.
Goku (Captain Ginyu's Body) - Goku's various forms such as Super Saiyan and Super Saiyan 3 have been confirmed to appear, but at one point during the Namek Saga, he actually swaps bodies with Captain Ginyu. Playing as Goku in Ginyu's body typically happens in most Dragon Ball Z games, so this wouldn't be surprising to see.
Super Vegito (Candy Form) - Much like the above entry, Vegito has an alternative form in the anime that would be fun to play as: his candy form. At one point, Super Buu turns Vegito into a piece of candy, where Vegito proceeds to continue beating Super Buu in that form. If nothing else, this would be a good way to extend Vegito's playtime in Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot.
Before moving forward, it's pretty clear that sometimes playable characters can double as support characters, so while the 4 known-about characters may seem small, it isn't really. A good example of this is the Raditz fight, where Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot gameplay has shown Piccolo serving as a support character. Because of this, it's hard to imagine that the list expands by much, but there are a couple of solid characters whose appearance makes sense.
Yajirobe - This doesn't seem too likely, as he is more prominent near the beginning of the series than the latter, and Saiyan Saga is pretty much covered with Support characters. Still, Yajirobe does cut off Vegeta's tail to help Goku win, so it would make some sense. It would also be some good comical relief.
Videl - Gohan has been shown in his Super Saiyaman costume, where he is typically accompanied by Super Saiyaman 2 or Super Saiyawoman - Videl. Videl is a solid fighter in her own right, easily surpassing her father, and so it would be nice to see her fight alongside Gohan in a few sequences.
Majin Buu - During the Buu Saga, Majin Buu eventually splits from his evil self, which leads to Super Buu and Kid Buu - incarnations of pure evil. As such, there are a couple of fights during this saga that Good Buu could appear in order to help the Z fighters out.
Hercule - Hercule often gets the credit for defeating enemies and saving the world, so it would make sense for him to be a support character...even if all he did as a support character was cower behind the main playable character. If nothing else, this would serve as a good way to break the tension and keep the atmosphere of DBZ: Kakarot light.
As more and more is revealed for Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot, this should all eventually be cemented. It's within reason that 9 playable characters prove to be everyone, but until something is confirmed by Bandai Namco, we wouldn't hold our breath.
Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot releases January 17, 2020, for PC, PS4, and Xbox One.
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