PixlBit

Take a break from the epic Dragon Ball Z fights and just do some old-school platforming.

This Wii-exclusive side-scrolling platformer published by Namco Bandai takes place during the second season of the original Dragon Ball series. Developed by Media.Vision, the game stars the young Goku as he defeats many enemies ranging from the Red Ribbon Army to Piccolo Daimao.

The game is in 2.5D and has a big focus on fighting with a bit of platforming worked into it. Using the Wii Remote and Nunchuk, you execute basic attacks and jumps with buttons. When enemies are weak, you can home in on them and do a quick finishing move. As you defeat them, you build up Ki, that can be used to do special moves, such as the series staple Kamehamaha.

I played an early level where I went through an underground cave. I fought different enemies, such as the cannon-fodder wolves or the tougher, regenerating skeletons. It wasn't all too challenging, except for when they overwhelmed me. I had a bit of problem using special moves effectively because you have to make sure you're facing the enemies at just the right angle. Due to the 2.5D style, sometimes this can be troublesome.

There were also some platforming bits where I had to avoid pits and climb up the cave. I had to correctly time jumping and latching onto moving platforms. It wasn't anything complex, but there were a few tougher parts and it was enjoyable. Later on, I also had to reflect missiles but timing striking them so they would rebound and hit the enemy who launched it.

In addition to the full side-scrolling game, there is also a World Tour mode where you can fight against the computer or a friend in the famed Tenkaichi Budokai tournament. Set in an arena, you use the same controls that you use in the main game, but now you can choose from 17 characters, although only six are available at the beginning of the game.

Dragon Ball: Revenge of King Piccolo originally came out in Japan in July, and is expected to release in the rest of the world at the end of October, with an October 20 release in North America.