This week’s 2013 #42 issue of Weekly Shōnen Jump (released yesterday, 13 September 2013, a bit early due to the holiday of Respect-for-the-Aged Day on Monday) unveils a special costume for Goku in the upcoming 360 / PlayStation 3 / Vita fighting game, Battle of Z: Naruto’s “Sen’nin Mode” outfit.
The costume will be made available to all first-run copies of the game via a special download code that will be included. The magazine states that not only will Goku be dressed as Naruto, but his movements will become like the shinobi’s as well.
Last year’s Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 3 included the opposite: a Goku outfit for Naruto. As with this year’s Naruto costume for Goku, it was included as a special addition for first-run customers. Both this costume for Goku and the previous outfit for Naruto are derived from illustrations that Akira Toriyama and Naruto creator Masashi Kishimoto drew of their own characters in each other’s clothes.
Additionally, Jump also reveals that the game will have a “super-deluxe” opening animation, with a “super battle” at “breakneck speed” and featuring all the super-warriors together (including Super Saiyan God). After years of CG openings, 2011’s Ultimate Blast / Tenkaichi was the first in quite some time to have a traditional 2D animated opening, set to the classic “CHA-LA HEAD-CHA-LA”, even in international releases of the game which otherwise had its musical score replaced.
Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Z is currently scheduled for a nebulous “2014” release. In North America, the game will see a retail release on both the 360 and PlayStation 3, while the Vita version will be download-only.