Dragon Ball Xenoverse 3 shows off new mechanics

For years, Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2 has refused to fade into the background, surviving on a steady stream of updates, DLC, and a fiercely loyal community. Now, its successor is finally stepping into the spotlight. Bandai Namco has released a six-minute gameplay showcase for Dragon Ball Xenoverse 3, and it's less of a teaser and more of a guided tour through the sequel's biggest ideas.

Exciting mechanics and a new social hub

The developer-commentated video wastes little time getting to the action. Players are introduced to West City, the new social hub set during the previously unseen AGE 1000, before taking flight into battles that look faster, smoother, and more dynamic than ever. Combat flows naturally between aerial pursuits, devastating melee combos, ki blasts, and flashy ultimate attacks, giving the impression that Dragon Ball Xenoverse 3 is trying to crank the series' signature anime spectacle up another notch.

The biggest surprise, however, comes from the game's brand-new combat mechanics. One of them, Soul Assist, lets legendary Dragon Ball warriors leap into battle as temporary allies, turning the tide of a fight with powerful support techniques. It's the kind of mechanic that makes every encounter feel like you've called in the cavalry—except the cavalry happens to include some of the strongest fighters in anime history.

Then there's Soul Switch, arguably the feature that steals the show. Instead of simply borrowing a special move, players can temporarily inherit the fighting style and abilities of iconic characters like Vegeta, Piccolo, Future Trunks, Krillin, and Tien. In practice, it's a little like swapping your entire playbook mid-match, opening the door to creative strategies and encouraging players to experiment rather than relying on a single favorite build.

Character creation also appears to have received more than a cosmetic makeover. Choosing a race now carries greater weight, with each one offering its own strengths and mechanics. Saiyans still get to chase ever-more-powerful Super Saiyan transformations, but the other races are no longer just alternative skins. They bring unique gameplay identities of their own, making the choice of your Time Patroller feel much more meaningful before the first punch is even thrown.

Dragon Ball Xenoverse 3 looks eager to make its world feel more alive. West City serves as a bustling hub where players can fly freely, interact with familiar faces from across Dragon Ball history, meet brand-new characters, and pick up missions before diving back into the action. The transition between exploration and battles also appears considerably smoother, helping the adventure feel less like hopping between menus and more like inhabiting a living Dragon Ball universe.

Perhaps the most striking thing about the presentation is that it doesn't feel content with simply polishing what came before. After nearly a decade of Xenoverse 2 dominating the series, Dimps seems determined to push the formula forward instead of playing it safe. New mechanics, a fresh era in the timeline, deeper customization, and a more fluid world all point toward a sequel that's aiming to evolve rather than merely exist.

There's still time before players can create their next custom hero. Dragon Ball Xenoverse 3 is currently slated to launch in 2027 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC. But this six-minute showcase is enough for players to start powering up their hype levels well beyond 9,000. Remember that you can keep track of the best deals to pre-order Dragon Ball Xenoverse 3 with our comparator at all times.