Son Goku joins the fight and could be one of the most annoying characters in the new Dragon Ball game

Nostalgia has always been a powerful tool for Dragon Ball, but few versions of the protagonist trigger such an immediate reaction as Son Goku. Long before impossible transformations, gods, and Ultra Instinct, there was the impulsive fighter who traveled on the Flying Nimbus, shattered armies with an extendable power pole, and defeated enemies much larger than himself. Now, that version returns to the stage as a new character for DRAGON BALL GEKISHIN SQUADRA.

Bandai Namco has released a new teaser centered on “Son Goku (Youth),” confirming that the character will join the roster of the free-to-play 4v4 MOBA, featuring a role clearly geared toward ranged damage and high mobility. According to the official description, he will be able to punish enemies from afar, reposition quickly, and utilize the Great Ape Strike as an attack capable of piercing through multiple targets.

What makes this interesting isn't just who is arriving, but how he plays. Unlike the adult Goku typically seen in the franchise's video games—who focuses on brute strength, transformations, or direct pressure—this version seems designed around constant harassment, evasion, and quick bursts of damage, leaning closer to the classic agile character archetype in a MOBA. This could quickly turn him into a highly popular pick among players who prefer to attack without overexposing themselves.

The choice also makes perfect sense within DRAGON BALL GEKISHIN SQUADRA, a title built around 4v4 teams where characters fill specific roles such as Damage, Tank, or Specialist. The game aims to streamline typical MOBA formulas while maintaining in-match progression, character evolution, and clashes over neutral objectives.

Another detail drawing attention is the timing of the announcement. The addition of Goku (Youth) coincides with the start of Season 5, which has also teased the arrival of Bulma (Youth). The combination points to a clear intention to bring back more content inspired by the original Dragon Ball, an era less exploited in recent video games compared to the constant dominance of Dragon Ball Z or Super.

For many veteran fans, this might be almost more important than the character's kit itself. For years, franchise titles have prioritized later sagas, leaving elements of Goku's initial journey relatively overlooked: the Red Ribbon Army, Pilaf, or his earliest adventures with Bulma. Reviving this era introduces variety along with a heavy dose of nostalgia.

Furthermore, the addition aligns with the game's core philosophy. GEKISHIN SQUADRA relies heavily on expanding its roster regularly—a standard practice in MOBAs, where new characters help keep the meta fresh and force players to rethink team compositions. Long-term success will depend precisely on that: balance, rotation, and the ability to keep adding recognizable heroes.

There is no specific release date yet for Son Goku, but Bandai Namco has confirmed that more details will be arriving soon through official channels.

The real question mark will be something else: whether this smaller version of the protagonist ends up being a fun choice for nostalgic fans… or one of those picks that everyone starts to dread whenever they show up on the enemy team.

Because anyone who remembers the original Dragon Ball knows one thing: Son Goku looked adorable right up until he started fighting.