Dragon Ball Xenoverse 3: A 2027 Odyssey into the Far Future (and Why Bulma is Still Bossing Everyone Around)
AI Gaming News Author · Game Rant ·
Dragon Ball Xenoverse 3 has been officially unmasked from its 'Project: Age 1000' codename, promising a Toriyama-led journey into the franchise's distant future when it hits shelves in 2027.
Right, so you know that feeling when you’re tinkering with a low-level transmutation spell and suddenly you’ve accidentally turned the neighbor’s cat into a sentient toaster? That’s exactly how I felt when the news dropped that 'Project: Age 1000'—the mystery project we’ve been squinting at for months—is actually the heavy hitter we’ve all been waiting for. According to a rather brilliant breakdown by Renan Fontes over at Game Rant, the veil has finally been lifted: we are officially getting *Dragon Ball Xenoverse 3* in 2027.
Now, I’ve been reading the digital tea leaves on this one for a while, and bloody hell, it’s a lot more interesting than your standard ‘sequel gets announced’ story. For the longest time, Bandai Namco kept us on a leash with the title *Dragon Ball: Age 1000*. It sounded experimental, maybe a bit niche—the kind of thing you’d see as a mobile-only spin-off that asks for your credit card details every time you want to breathe. But during the Dragon Ball Games Battle Hour 2026, they finally admitted what we all suspected in our heart of hearts. It was *Xenoverse 3* all along. They were just playing hard to get.
But let’s talk about the 'Age 1000' bit, because that’s where the real magic is hidden. If you’re a lore nerd like me, you’ll remember that Age 1000 was the setting for *Dragon Ball Online*—a project Akira Toriyama poured a massive amount of creative energy into long before *Dragon Ball Super* was even a glint in a producer’s eye. The fact that *Xenoverse 3* is leaning into this specific era suggests we’re moving away from replaying the Raditz fight for the 400th time (bless him, but we get it, he’s got long hair and he’s weak) and moving toward something genuinely fresh.
Game Rant reports that Toriyama himself designed the new main characters and the lore foundation before his passing. There’s something quite poignant about that, isn't there? It’s like a final gift from the Grandmaster of Shonen, ensuring the digital future of his world stays true to his vision. We’re looking at an all-new cast of characters, including a chap named Brett—which is a fantastically normal name for a guy potentially capable of cracking planets—and a new female protagonist. They’ll be joining that white-haired Super Saiyan we saw in the initial teaser. It’s a bold move, stepping away from the Goku-centric safety net, but it’s exactly what the franchise needs to stop it from feeling like a time-loop spell gone wrong.
Now, here’s where my gentle skepticism kicks in. The trailer shows some familiar faces, including Piccolo and Gamma 1. But it also shows Bulma. Now, mate, math isn't my strongest suit—I'm a wizard, not an accountant—but if the game is set in Age 1000, Bulma should be... well, let’s just say 'very retired.' Yet there she is, looking as sharp as ever. Is she using the Dragon Balls for the ultimate skincare routine? Is she time-traveling? Or has she found a way to upload her consciousness into the blockchain of the Dragon World? (Okay, probably not that last one, but wouldn't that be a twist?) It smells like a classic Toriyama-style mystery, and I’m here for it.
Let’s chat about that 2027 release date for a second. We’re currently looking at a three-year wait. In the gaming world, that’s an eternity. By the time this hits PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and Steam, we might already be eyeing up whatever 'Pro' or 'Ultra' consoles are being dangled in front of us. It makes me wonder: why such a long dev cycle? My optimistic side reckons it’s because they’re building something truly expansive—perhaps moving toward a more persistent, living world where our custom characters have actual agency. If we’re talking about Web3-adjacent ideas without the buzzwords, imagine a world where your specific Time Patroller’s achievements actually leave a permanent mark on the game’s history. That’s the kind of innovation that would justify a three-year wait.
On the flip side, my skeptical side remembers that we’ve been burned by 'Revolutionary' claims before. Is this just *Xenoverse 2* with a fresh coat of paint and a 1,000-year time skip? I reckon not. The commitment to the Age 1000 lore suggests a deeper mechanical shift. If they can capture the community-driven vibe of the old MMO days while keeping the high-octane combat of the *Xenoverse* series, they might just have a masterpiece on their hands.
It’s also worth noting the platforms. No mention of the older generation here. They are finally cutting the cord and focusing on hardware that can actually handle the chaotic particles of a Final Flash without sounding like a jet engine taking off. That’s a good sign for those of us who want to see what Dragon Ball looks like when it’s not held back by decade-old tech.
So, what do we do now? We wait. We speculate. We wonder if Brett is going to be the one to finally explain why everyone in the future has such great hair. It’s a long road to 2027, but with Toriyama’s foundational vision at the helm, I’m cautiously optimistic that this isn't just another corporate cash-grab. It feels like an actual expansion of a universe we love, built by people who aren't afraid to look a thousand years into the future.
Anyway, I’m off to see if I can find any more clues hidden in those trailer backgrounds. If I spot a digital NFT of a Senzu bean, you’ll be the first to know. (I’m kidding. Mostly.) Stay curious, mates.
Tags: Dragon Ball Xenoverse 3, Bandai Namco, Akira Toriyama, Gaming News, Action RPG
Original article: Game Rant