Bandai America has announced that it will launch a Dragon Ball Collectible Card Game this summer.  All three Dragon Ball franchises, Dragon Ball, Dragon Ball Z, and Dragon Ball GT, will be incorporated into the game.  The CCG has already been launched in Asia and Europe, where it has been a "huge success" according to Bandai's Danny Satyapan.


The first Dragon Ball CCG set, Warriors Return, will launch July 18th in Starters and Boosters, at $8.99 and $3.99, respectively.

 

The game system is similar to that of Bandai's Naruto CCG, and will allow inter-game play. 

 

Bandai will support the new game with organized play that will use promotional cards, game mats, and other exclusive prizing, for both hobby retailer and convention events.

 

The Dragon Ball properties have had a great history in North America.  Dragon Ball has been a longtime best seller to anime and manga fans, and Dragon Ball Z recently returned to the top of the anime DVD sales charts (see "Top 2007 Anime Properties").  Score had a great run with its Dragon Ball Z and Dragon Ball GT CCGs that continued for several years.  And there's a lot of anticipation for the release of the live action film early next year (see "Goku Backs Down!"), which will expose the property to a whole new audience. 
 
With a proven game system, a new look for the game, and a strong property with both a great history and future, the Bandai Dragon Ball CCG appears to have all the ingredients for a successful launch.