‘Goku Day’ is a good reminder that Dragon Ball games should explore the hero’s dumber side

Few characters have appeared in as many games as Goku. The spiky-haired warrior, known for his bulging biceps and for screaming “Ka-me-ha-me-ha!” whenever he unleashes his fireball attack, is one of gaming’s most well-known heroes … even if he is pretty dumb.

The Japan Anniversary Association christened May 9 as Goku Day (based on the Japanese words for 5 and 9, respectively) in 2015. While not an official holiday in Japan, it is a good excuse to celebrate the Dragon Ball franchise’s lead character. Created by Akira Toriyama, Dragon Ball has been around in some form or another since the mid-’80s, with its most popular incarnation being the Dragon Ball Z anime series.