As expected, the American branch of Namco-Bandai joins the party today alongside Japan and Europe to officially announce Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Z for release on the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and Vita in North America, Latin America, and Brazil.

Of particular note in the North America press release (below) is the announcement that the Vita release will be digital-only. Namco-Bandai has previously released the One Piece Pirate Warriors games on the PlayStation 3 as digital-only, while the games received physical releases in other territories.

NAMCO BANDAI GAMES AMERICA INC. ANNOUNCES DRAGON BALL Z® BATTLE OF Z FOR THE AMERICAS

Goku and All of His Friends Return for the Ultimate Dragon Ball Z Brawler Guaranteed to Make Fans Go Super Saiyan

SAN JOSE, Calif., (June 21, 2013) Leading video game publisher and developer NAMCO BANDAI Games America Inc. today announced Dragon Ball Z® Battle of Z for North America, Latin America, and Brazil on the Xbox 360® games and entertainment system from Microsoft, the PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system and a digital version of the title coming for the PlayStation®Vita system. The over-the-top anime action and intensity of the Dragon Ball Z world will be presented in new cell-shaded HD graphics, paying homage to the original anime. Dragon Ball Z Battle of Z will also feature expanded versus and co-op modes, allowing players to create teams of four characters to take on opponents across the globe.

Developed by Tokyo based game developer ARTDINK; Dragon Ball Z Battle of Z will feature a large cast of playable characters including Goku, Piccolo, Vegeta, and a variety of melee and famous attacks including the Kamehameha, Special Beam Cannon, and Spirit Bomb. The epic battles in Dragon Ball Z Battle of Z derive their style from the original anime series and will take place in rich environments on both land and in the air. Dragon Ball Z Battle of Z will let players form teams with up to four characters to participate in group melee action, take on massive boss battles, or challenge other players around the world for brawls featuring up to eight characters on screen at the same time.

“The Dragon Ball franchise has transcended its original manga and anime roots to truly become a cultural phenomenon,” said Chris Gilbert, Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing, NAMCO BANDAI Games America Inc. “Dragon Ball Z Battle of Z takes this storied franchise to the next level with its intense brawler action, crisp HD graphics, and expanded gameplay capabilities. Fans and newcomers alike will be able to enjoy this title and appreciate how the Dragon Ball Z universe is presented in the game.”

Dragon Ball Z Battle of Z will be available for the Xbox 360 games and entertainment system from Microsoft, the PlayStation 3 computer entertainment system, and PlayStation Vita (digital download only) in North America, Latin America, and Brazil. For more information on the game, please visit: http://dbzboz.bngames.net, http://dragonball.namcobandaigames.com, https://www.facebook.com/DBZ.videogames

or www.facebook.com/NamcoBandai.