Dragon Power is an action game that takes players on an adventurous quest with Goku and his friends to collect the seven Crystal Balls, a deviation from the traditional Dragon Ball lore. The game, developed by Bandai for the NES, follows the first two volumes of the Dragon Ball manga and anime series. The title features many familiar enemies and allies, albeit sometimes with changed names, in addition to the legendary Goku. In Dragon Power, players navigate through a mix of areas from a 2D top-down perspective and side-scrolling sequences during boss fights. In this article, we’ll explore the gameplay and characters of Dragon Power as well as the cheats it enables.
Dragon Power Premise
Dragon Power features a narrative built around the initial volumes of the Dragon Ball manga, letting players step into the shoes of Goku. It is a repackaged version of the Japanese game Dragon Ball: Shenron no Nazo for the U.S. market. The game takes the players on a journey, including sections with King Menos (Emperor Pilaf) and continuing into unique storylines exclusive to the game.
Players find themselves in a series of distinct environments, each with new enemies and allies. Exploration of the areas functions similarly to many top-down action adventures of the era, like games in the Legend of Zelda series. However, players can also enter special sub-areas and boss fights which are played in a side-scrolling platformer format. In this title released in the United States, instead of Dragon Balls, players seek Crystal Balls. Similarly, some of the abilities and features have been rebranded, like the iconic Kamehameha is now Wind Wave.
Dragon Power Characters
Dragon Power is part of the Dragon Ball universe, and naturally, the character roster plays a crucial role in the game. However, except for Goku and a few others, Dragon Power has changed the names of several of its characters from the original ones. In addition to the main character, the game includes everything from allies like Nora (Bulma) and the pig-faced Pudgy (Oolong) to adversaries such as Lancer (Yamcha) Monster Carrot.
- Goku: The main protagonist, a martial artist with a pure heart, who embarks on a quest for the Crystal Balls.
- Nora: A brilliant scientist and Goku’s first friend, who aids him with technology like the Dragon Radar. She’s known as Bulma in the official Dragon Ball franchise.
- Hermit: The wise although odd martial arts master who provides Goku with training and guidance. This legendary character is known outside Dragon Power as Master Roshi.
- Lancer: A desert bandit who initially opposes Goku but comes around for him. This character, known originally as Yamcha, features prominent combat skills.
- Krillin: Goku’s best friend and martial arts training partner, recognizable by his bald head. However, he’s one of the enemies in this game.
- King Menos: Goku needs to rescue King Menos, originally Emperor Pilaf, from the clutches of a dragon, trapped inside a building.
- Monster Carrot: The leader of the Rabbit Mob, with the ability to turn people into carrots.
Games in the Series
Dragon Power not only marks a unique entry in the Dragon Ball video game lineage but also serves as a bridge for Western audiences to the series. While some aspects of the game were not appreciated by all the fans, like the changing of names of iconic characters, the game stands as an important part of the franchise’s legacy.
The game was also among the first Dragon Ball games ever to be released, and the first in the United States and Europe. Since then the series has grown into a massive phenomenon with sub-series like the Dragon Ball Z with dozens upon dozens of games on various platforms.
- Dragon Ball: Dragon Daihikyō (1986)
- Dragon Ball: Shenlong no Nazo / Dragon Power / Dragon Ball: Le Secret du Dragon
- Dragon Ball: Daimaō Fukkatsu (1988)
- Dragon Ball 3: Goku Den (1989)
- Dragon Ball Z: Kyōshū! Saiyajin (1990)
- Dragon Ball Z II: Gekishin Freeza (1991)
- Dragon Ball Z III: Ressen Jinzōningen (1992)
- Dragon Ball Z: Gekitō Tenkaichi Budokai (1992)
- Dragon Ball Z Gaiden: Saiyajin Zetsumetsu Keikaku (1993)
- Dragon Ball Z: Super Saiya Densetsu (1992)
- Dragon Ball Z: Super Butōden (1993)
- Dragon Ball Z: Super Butōden 2 / Dragon Ball Z: La Légende Saien (1993)
- Dragon Ball Z: Super Butōden 3 / Dragon Ball Z: Ultime Menace (1994)
- Dragon Ball Z: Super Goku Den — Totsugeki-Hen (1995)
- Dragon Ball Z: Super Goku Den — Kakusei-Hen (1995)
- Dragon Ball Z: Hyper Dimension (1996)
- Dragon Ball Z: Buyū Retsuden / Dragon Ball Z: L’Appel du Destin (1994)
- Dragon Ball Z: Idainaru Son Goku Densetsu (1994)
- Dragon Ball Z: Goku Hishōden (1994)
- Dragon Ball Z: Goku Gekitōden (1995)
- Dragon Ball Z: Shin Saiyajin Zenmetsu Keikaku — Chikyū-Hen (1994)
- Dragon Ball Z Gaiden: Saiyajin Zetsumetsu Keikaku~Uchū-Hen (1994)
- Dragon Ball Z: Ultimate Battle 22 (1995)
- Dragon Ball Z: Shin Butōden (1995)
- Dragon Ball Z: Idainaru Dragon Ball Densetsu / Dragon Ball Z: The Legend (1996)
- Dragon Ball GT: Final Bout (1997)
- Dragon Ball Z: The Legacy of Goku (2002)
- Dragon Ball Z: Collectible Card Game (2002)
- Dragon Ball Z: The Legacy of Goku II (2003)
- Dragon Ball (2003)
- Dragon Ball Z: Taiketsu (2003)
- Dragon Ball Z: Supersonic Warriors (2004)
- Dragon Ball Z: Buu’s Fury (2004)
- Dragon Ball: Advanced Adventure (2004)
- Dragon Ball GT: Transformation (2005)
- Dragon Ball Z: Budokai (2002)
- Dragon Ball Z: Budokai 2 (2003)
- Dragon Ball Z: Budokai 3 (2004)
- Dragon Ball Z: Sagas (2005)
- Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi (2005)
- Super Dragon Ball Z (2005)
- Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 2 (2006)
- Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 3 (2007)
- Dragon Ball Z: Infinite World (2008)
- Dragon Ball Z: Supersonic Warriors 2 (2005)
- Dragon Ball Z: Shin Budokai (2006)
- Dragon Ball Z: Harukanaru Densetsu (2007)
- Dragon Ball Z: Shin Budokai – Another Road (2007)
- Dragon Ball: Origins (2008)
- Dragonball Evolution (2009)
- Dragon Ball Z: Attack of the Saiyans (2009)
- Dragon Ball: Origins 2 (2010)
- Dragon Ball Z: Tenkaichi Tag Team (2010)
- Dragon Ball Kai: Ultimate Butōden (2011)
- Dragon Ball Heroes: Ultimate Mission (2013)
- Dragon Ball Heroes: Ultimate Mission 2 (2014)
- Dragon Ball Z: Extreme Butōden (2015)
- Dragon Ball Fusions (2016)
- Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2 (2016)
- Dragon Ball Heroes: Ultimate Mission X (2017)
- Dragon Ball FighterZ (2018)
- Super Dragon Ball Heroes: World Mission (2019)
- Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot (2020)
- Dragon Ball: The Breakers (2022)
Dragon Power Cheats
Unfortunately for Dragon Ball fans, Dragon Power doesn’t have a very comprehensive selection of cheats available. Gamers are limited to a few cheats that can help players advance in the game. These include a level skip and an energy refill cheats. We’ve also included the few Game Genie codes that are available for Dragon Power.
Level Skip
In the European (PAL) version, players can skip levels by pressing the B button on Controller 2. This allows for quick progression through the game, bypassing difficult stages.
Refill Energy
The Refill Energy cheat, also for the European (PAL) version, lets players replenish energy by pressing Down on Controller 2.
Game Genie Codes
| Cheat | Code |
| Start With Infinite Energy | SZVOSZVG |
| Start With Extra Energy | EAXAILGT |
| Start With 24 Wind Waves | KAOETLSA |
Dragon Power Cheats FAQ
Is Dragon Power part of the Dragon Ball series?
Yes, the game is one of the first games ever for the franchise. Dragon Power is the American version of the original Japanese game Dragon Ball: Shenron no Nazo.
How does the game differ in its American release?
The North American version, Dragon Power, experienced modifications, including some graphical changes, removal of references to the Dragon Ball series, and changing of characters’ names. The best-known character of the series, the protagonist Goku, got to keep his name. However, Bulma is known here as Nora, Yamcha as Lancer, and Master Roshi as Hermit.
Is Dragon Power a top-down adventure game or a side-scrolling platformer?
Dragon Power is an interesting title in that it features both prominent game modes of the era in one package. Players explore the world in a top-down adventure mode while entering sub-areas where they complete challenges and battle bosses in a side-scrolling fashion.
The image featured at the top of this post is ©Screenshot for Dragon Power.