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‘Dragon Ball’ powers into the spotlight with memeable ‘Fortnite’ crossover

The legendary characters of Dragon Ball have battled their way into Fortnite – and the number of memes are growing faster than a Super Saiyan’s hair.

The Dragon Ball franchise is essentially a battle royal story told over many decades of TV shows and films. Therefore, it should be no surprise that the iconic anime series has found a willing collaborator in massively popular online battle royal game Fortnite.

Corresponding with the release of Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero, the follow-up to 2018’s Dragon Ball Super: Broly, Fornite players can play as a selection of the anime’s most popular characters (Goku, Vegeta, Bulma and Beerus).

dragon ball fortnite characters
Image: Fortnite / Epic Games

It probably goes without saying, but there is a lot of crossover between gamers and anime fans. The idea of soaring around the Fornite map as Goku, unleashing powerful Kamehameha attacks from the sky, has proven to have real legs. And the forum of the internet is now swollen with hilarious memes, as well as cries of ‘omg that move is so OP‘.

A critical part of Fornite‘s success has been Epic Games’ ability, and willingness, to form mutually beneficial partnerships with IP holders. Before the Dragon Ball collaboration players could already purchase character skins for everyone from Ariana Grande to Batman.

But whereas most of these partnerships merely offered aesthetic changes, this Dragon Ball Fortnite crossover actually alters the balance of the game. And how could it not; you can hardly put Goku in a game and not allow those controlling him to blast balls of colours at their enemies. There would be riots!

And so here we are; reddit pages and chat forums flooded with video’s of Vegeta melting Iron Man into a burst of pixelated light. It might not be innovative, it might be a cash grab, but at least it’s goddamn funny.

Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero is out now in Australian cinemas. For more details regarding the Fortnite crossover click here.