How to Master Every Quest in Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot
Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot packs a surprisingly dense story mode, and it’s easy to miss a hidden battle or a valuable upgrade while chasing the main plot. Below is a practical walkthrough that walks you through the pivotal missions, side quests, and the occasional secret that many players overlook. Grab your controller, and let’s dive into the world of Goku’s adventures without getting lost.
Getting Started – The Early Saiyan Saga
After the opening cutscene, the game drops you straight into Training with Goku. This early segment serves two purposes: it familiarizes you with the combat system and awards the first Skill Point you can allocate.
- Tip: Spend that point on Basic Attack speed. It makes the later Ginyu Force fights less frantic.
- Don’t sprint straight to the next checkpoint. Exploring the hillside uncovers a Hidden Capsule containing a rare Senzu Bean.
Once you defeat Raditz, you’ll unlock the World Map. This is where the real planning begins.
Fast‑Travel vs. Exploration
The map shows both major story nodes and dozens of yellow “?” icons. These are the side quests that flesh out characters and drop gear.
When to fast‑travel: If you’re aiming for a speedrun or just want to finish the main arc, use the Dragon Radar to jump directly to the next major battle.
When to explore: If you have spare time (or want to finish the game’s 100% completion), linger near each village. For example, the Wilderness Training quest near West City awards a permanent +5% Ki regeneration boost.
Mid‑Saga Milestones
Frieza’s Planet – Managing the Time Limit
Once you reach Planet Namek, the game imposes a subtle timer on the Spirit Bomb preparation. If you linger too long, the enemy’s power spikes dramatically.
- Focus on finishing the “Gather the Dragon Balls” side quest first; the reward is a Dragon Radar Upgrade that shows hidden Dragon Balls on the map.
- Use the Instant Transmission unlocked after the battle with Ginyu to zip back to the battlefield when you’re low on health.
Cell’s Lab – The Puzzle of the Android Data
In the Cell saga, a small puzzle appears: three consoles must be activated in a specific order to open the lab’s inner chamber.
Most players try the obvious left‑center‑right sequence and fail. The correct order is:
- Right console (activates the security shield)
- Left console (disables the shield)
- Center console (opens the door)
Getting this right grants a unique Android Core that can be equipped to boost Defense by 12%.
Side Quests Worth Your Time
Not all side content is created equal. Here are the three that give the biggest payoff for the effort.
- King Kai’s Training Grounds – Complete the series of “Kamehameha Challenge” mini‑games. Each victory adds a permanent +2% Damage to all Ki attacks.
- Bulma’s Gadget Hunt – Scattered across the world are “Lost Parts” that you can bring back to Bulma. Collecting all ten parts unlocks the Super Capsule, which lets you store an extra item.
- Vegeta’s Pride Quest – This hidden quest appears only after you defeat Frieza on Namek. Follow the subtle glowing footprints in the ruins to discover a secret Training Room where you can earn a free Super Saiyan 2 transformation for a limited time.
Boosting Your Stats Without Grinding
Many players resort to endless battle grinding to raise Goku’s level. There’s a smarter route:
- Complete all World Tournament matches. Even if you lose, you receive “Tournament Tokens” that exchange for Stat Boosters.
- Upgrade the Dragon Radar early (it costs 500 Zeni). A better radar highlights high‑value enemies, letting you farm Rare Materials efficiently.
- Invest skill points in Ki Control before you unlock the Spirit Bomb. This reduces the Ki cost by 15%, meaning you can use the ultimate move more often without draining your meter.
Endgame – The Final Battle and Post‑Game Content
The last showdown with Buu feels epic, but the real challenge begins after the credits roll.
New Game+ – What Changes?
Starting New Game+ retains every skill point, equipment, and Dragon Ball you collected. However, enemies receive a 20% stat boost, and a few new “Secret Bosses” appear in previously explored zones.
- Secret Boss #1: Golden Frieza – Located in a hidden cavern beneath West City. Defeating him rewards the Golden Armor, which adds a flat +30 Defense and a shimmering visual effect.
- Secret Boss #2: Super Vegito – Only accessible after completing all side quests in the Cell saga. The battle is a test of timing; parry every heavy attack to fill the “Fusion Gauge” and unleash a devastating combo.
Collectibles for Completionists
Beyond the main storyline, there are 150 hidden “Memory Orbs.” Each one unlocks a short cutscene that expands on the backstory of secondary characters, like Yajirobe’s mysterious past. Finding all orbs also unlocks a special gallery theme that changes the UI to a hand‑drawn anime style.
Final Thoughts
Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot rewards patience and curiosity just as much as raw combat skill. By following the steps above—balancing main‑story progression with key side quests, paying attention to hidden puzzles, and leveraging the New Game+ features—you’ll experience the full depth of the game without the usual grind fatigue. So fire up your console, polish those Ki attacks, and enjoy the ride through Goku’s most iconic moments.
