In the landscape of anime-based video games, few franchises have been as consistently served—and as frequently misunderstood—as Dragon Ball Z. For decades, fans have been treated to a cycle of hyperkinetic fighting games (the Budokai Tenkaichi series, FighterZ) that capture the thrill of battle but often sacrifice the narrative soul of the source material. Enter Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot (2020), developed by CyberConnect2 and published by Bandai Namco. The game’s release was a watershed moment for the franchise, but its legacy is inextricably linked to a parallel digital event: the release of “Dragon Ball Z Kakarot-CODEX.” Examining this specific cracked version offers a unique lens through which to view the game’s design philosophy, its relationship with its audience, and the ongoing tension between artistic intent and digital access.
Unlike traditional fighting games like Dragon Ball FighterZ, Kakarot is an Action RPG. Developed by CyberConnect2 (the studio behind the Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm series), the game covers the four major story arcs of the original Dragon Ball Z anime: the Saiyan Saga, Frieza Saga, Cell Saga, and Buu Saga.
: Users of the CODEX version can unlock all included DLCs by navigating to the game's directory: \Engine\Binaries\ThirdParty\Steamworks\Steamv139\Win64 and modifying the steam_emu.ini file. Setting DLCUnlockall=0 Dragon Ball Z Kakarot-CODEX
While newer Dragon Ball games are always on the horizon (like Sparking! ZERO), Kakarot remains the only game that lets you "live" the story. The RPG mechanics—collecting Z-Orbs, cooking meals with Chi-Chi to buff your stats, and building the Community Board—add layers of depth that fighting games lack.
A "Love Letter" to Fans: Critics praise the game for being the most comprehensive recreation of the Dragon Ball Z canon, featuring iconic moments like Goku’s first Super Saiyan transformation and Gohan’s battle with Cell. Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot-CODEX: A Tale of Two
Combat in Kakarot is flashy and accessible. While it might not have the depth of a competitive fighter, it perfectly captures the DBZ power fantasy. You chase enemies through the sky, teleport behind them, and unleash massive Ki blasts.
However, I can offer a legitimate overview of the game: The game’s release was a watershed moment for
Save Game Location: By default, CODEX saves are stored in C:\Users\Public\Documents\Steam\CODEX\851850\remote or C:\Users\YourUsername\AppData\Local\AT\Saved\SaveGames.