Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot update v1.04 is definitely better because it directly addresses the game's most criticized launch issue: painfully long loading screens. ⚡ The Headliner: Drastically Reduced Load Times
The most substantial improvement in this update is the optimization of asset streaming when traveling between different map zones.
Console Loading: Pre-patch loading times on standard consoles often exceeded 40 to 60 seconds. Following the Bandai Namco 1.04 Patch, players on base consoles reported drops to roughly 30 seconds, while those utilizing solid-state drives (SSDs) saw load barriers drop to a rapid 10 to 20 seconds or less.
Gameplay Flow: Transitioning from the world map to isolated regions like the Capsule Corporation or Southeast Mountains is noticeably more fluid. 🛠️ Critical Progression & Quest Fixes
Update 1.04 resolved several game-breaking progression bugs tied to save-and-load mechanics during specific story arcs:
Telekinesis Training Glitch: Fixed an issue in Saiyan Arc Episode 3 where players could not accept this sub-story if they saved and loaded right after the Tenshinhan (Tien) fight.
The Longest Three Hours: Fixed the missing Main Story icon in Saiyan Arc Episode 5 that would fail to display after loading localized save data.
Goten's Growth: Resolved the disappearance of Chi-Chi in Buu Arc Episode 1, which triggered if the player prioritized the main story before wrapping up this sub-story.
Villainous Enemy Conflict: Fixed a structural bug where essential quest givers and story characters failed to spawn in the overworld because a duplicate "Villainous" variant of them was already present in the vicinity. 🎮 Platform Specific Adjustments
Xbox One Fixed Loop: Addressed an isolated hardware issue where bootup skipped the opening cinematic entirely and forced users straight to the title screen.
🚨 What's Missing? This older title update did not introduce the highly requested "Time Machine" feature (which arrived in a later patch to let players replay missed sub-stories) or any post-game DLC.
Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot update v1.04 is a significant, early-stage patch for the game (released in early 2020) that primarily focused on improving performance and resolving quest-breaking bugs.
Here is the complete guide to the improvements, fixes, and changes in this version, based on the official Bandai Namco Patch Notes Key Improvements in v1.04 Reduced Loading Times: Significantly reduced, particularly during fast travel. Quest Progression Fixes:
Addressed issues in "Telekinesis Training" (Tien fight), "The Longest Three Hours" (missing main story icon), and "Goten's Growth" (Chi-Chi not appearing). Enemy/NPC Spawns:
Fixed a bug where essential NPCs for quests would not appear if a "Villainous Enemy" was on the field. System Fixes:
Resolved an issue on Xbox One where the opening movie did not play. Bandai Namco How to Update
Ensure the game is updated to v1.04 via the PlayStation Options menu, Xbox "Manage game & add-ons," or automatically through the Steam client.
Note: This 2020 patch laid the groundwork for further improvements, with many later updates expanding on performance, especially for next-gen consoles. AI responses may include mistakes. Learn more DRAGON BALL Z: KAKAROT 1.04 Patch Notes
Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot Update v1.04 - A Better Experience?
The latest update to Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot, version 1.04, has arrived, and with it, several improvements and changes to the game. But does this update make the game better? Let's dive in and find out.
What Changed?
The update v1.04 for Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot brings several bug fixes, performance improvements, and balance changes to the game. Some of the key changes include:
Is it Better?
Overall, the update v1.04 has made a positive impact on the game. The stability and performance improvements have reduced the number of crashes and made the game more enjoyable to play. The balancing changes have also made the combat more challenging and rewarding.
The bug fixes have resolved several issues that players were experiencing, including problems with quests and side quests. The visual enhancements have also improved the game's graphics, making it look more polished and refined.
Verdict
The update v1.04 for Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot is a welcome improvement to the game. While it's not a massive overhaul, it addresses several of the issues that players were experiencing and makes the game more enjoyable to play. If you're a fan of the Dragon Ball Z series or just looking for a more stable and polished gaming experience, then this update is definitely worth checking out.
Rating: 4/5 stars
Recommendation: If you're new to the game, it's definitely worth playing, especially with the latest update. For existing players, it's recommended to update to v1.04 to experience the improvements and changes. dragon ball z kakarot update v104 better
Here’s a concise player-friendly guide to getting the most out of Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot Update v1.04 (often labeled v1.04, but sometimes referred to as v104 in community posts).
This update focused on stability, loading improvements, and DLC compatibility (mainly for A New Power Awakens).
The inventory menu loads faster. This is crucial because swapping Healing Items mid-battle (especially against Kid Buu) used to be a death sentence due to lag. Now, it’s nearly instant.
There were several bugged Sub Stories in the base game where objectives wouldn't trigger, or enemies wouldn't spawn, preventing players from getting 100% completion. v1.04 patched these specific quests, ensuring players could earn the Trophy/Achievement for completing all sub-stories.
The update does not raise the level cap beyond 250, nor does it add new experience-boosting items. If you have already beaten the "Trunks: The Warrior of Hope" DLC, v1.04 adds nothing new to grind for. Endgame players will still find themselves replaying the same Horde Battles.
On Steam, some users report a micro-stutter when the game auto-saves after a sub-story completion. It’s not game-breaking, but it wasn’t present in v1.03. A hotfix is rumored to be on the way.
Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot was always a game built on nostalgia. Update v1.04 doesn't reinvent the wheel, but it sands down the roughest edges. The fact that Bandai Namco is still optimizing a game released several years ago—especially for last-gen hardware—shows commitment.
Is it better? Undoubtedly. The Super Saiyan fix alone elevates the game from a frustrating RPG to an empowering power fantasy. If you own Kakarot, download v1.04. If you don’t, this is the perfect time to pick it up on a sale.
Because finally, going Super Saiyan feels good again.
Have you noticed other changes in Dragon Ball Z Kakarot Update v1.04? Share your experience in the comments below. And for more Dragon Ball gaming news, including Kakarot DLC 5 leaks, stay tuned.
Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot v1.04 update , released in early 2020, was a pivotal quality-of-life patch that transformed the game's flow by drastically reducing downtime and fixing critical progression bugs. The Transformation: Speed & Flow The "deep story" of this update was the war against loading times
. Before v1.04, traveling between massive open-world areas could take upwards of 45–75 seconds on base consoles. Drastic Reduction
: Patch 1.04 reduced these waits significantly. Some Xbox One X users reported times dropping from 15 seconds to just 2–3 seconds
on SSDs, while base PS4 users saw reductions of roughly 10–15 seconds. Seamless Adventure
: This allowed players to hunt for Dragon Balls and fly between regions without the immersion-breaking "long pauses" that plagued the launch experience. Fixing "Broken" Timelines
Beyond speed, v1.04 was a "rescue mission" for players stuck in progression loops. It addressed several "soft-lock" bugs where the game's logic failed to trigger essential events: The Ghost of Chi-Chi
: Fixed a bug in the Buu Arc where Chi-Chi would vanish from the field, preventing players from finishing the "Goten's Growth" substory. Telekinesis Training
: Resolved an issue in the Saiyan Arc where players couldn't accept Tien’s training mission if they had saved and reloaded at a specific moment. Missing Icons
: Fixed a terrifying bug where the main story icon would completely disappear after the "Longest Three Hours" mission, leaving players with no way to progress. Platform-Specific "Justice" Xbox One Opening
: At launch, many Xbox One players were being sent directly to the title screen. Update 1.04 finally restored the opening cinematic movie
, ensuring they got the full "DBZ" hype every time they booted up the game. Villainous Conflict
: It fixed a logical error where story characters wouldn't appear for their missions if they were already present on the map as "Villainous Enemies," preventing the game from accidentally doubling up on character models.
While later updates (like v1.10 and the "Next Gen" patches) added massive content like the Time Machine
and 4K visuals, v1.04 remains the update that fundamentally "fixed" the initial rough edges of the
The Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot v1.04 update is widely considered a major improvement primarily because it significantly reduces long loading times when traveling between world areas. It also resolves several game-breaking bugs that previously blocked progress in both main and side stories. Key Improvements in v1.04
Reduced Loading Times: Travelers between locations now experience much faster transitions. On some platforms like Xbox One, loading times were cut from roughly 40 seconds down to nearly 10–20 seconds. Mission Progression Fixes:
Telekinesis Training: Fixed a bug in the Saiyan Arc (Episode 3) where players couldn't accept this substory after saving/loading data.
Missing Icons: Resolved an issue where the Main Story icon would disappear after clearing "The Longest Three Hours". Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot update v1
Character Spawns: Fixed a common issue where story-related characters (like Chi-Chi) wouldn't appear if they were already present on the map as a Villainous Enemy.
Platform-Specific Fixes (Xbox One): Fixed a bug that skipped the opening cinematic and sent players directly to the title screen. Why It's "Better" for Players
While this 2020 update didn't add new content like the later HD graphics upgrades or the Time Machine feature, it removed the technical friction that frustrated players at launch. Pre-v1.04 Experience Post-v1.04 Experience Loading Up to 60+ seconds between areas Significantly faster (10-35 seconds) Bugs Quest characters missing from field Characters spawn correctly even near villains Stability Occasional icon/quest disappearances More reliable save/load state for stories
For those looking for the "ultimate" experience, ensure you have also downloaded the later free HD Remaster update for sharper environments and clearer water quality.
Are you currently stuck on a specific substory that hasn't appeared, or DRAGON BALL Z: KAKAROT 1.04 Patch Notes
Update v1.04 for Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot , released in early 2020, was a technical milestone that aimed to smooth out the player's journey through the iconic Z-Fighter sagas. While it didn't add new narrative arcs, it fundamentally "bettered" the experience by fixing critical immersion-breaking bugs and streamlining exploration. Major Technical Improvements The headline feature of v1.04 was the significant reduction in load times
. Players traveling between different areas of the world map saw load screens drop from nearly a minute down to roughly 10–20 seconds on standard consoles, and even faster for those using external SSDs. Substory and Progression Fixes
The update acted as a "cleanup crew" for several bugs that had previously blocked players from completing 100% of the game's content: Saiyan Arc (Episode 3):
Resolved a bug where the "Telekinesis Training" substory became impossible to accept if a player saved and loaded data after fighting Tien. Saiyan Arc (Episode 5):
Fixed a disappearing Main Story icon that occurred after clearing "The Longest Three Hours" if players saved and reloaded their game. Majin Buu Arc (Episode 1):
Addressed an issue where Chi-Chi would vanish from the field, preventing completion of the "Goten's Growth" substory if certain main story conditions were met first. Character Spawns:
Fixed a conflict where story-related characters wouldn't appear if they were already present on the field as a "Villainous Enemy". Platform-Specific Fixes
Corrected an issue where the game would skip the opening cinematic and go straight to the title screen, restoring the intended "opening movie" experience for players on that console. While many fans at the time were eagerly awaiting the Time Machine
feature (to revisit old missions), this specific update focused purely on stabilizing and speeding up the core game. or a specific DLC storyline A New Power Awakens
The v1.04 update for Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot was a significant early patch that primarily focused on improving the game's flow by slashing loading times and resolving critical quest-breaking bugs. Core Improvements in v1.04
Drastically Faster Loading: The headline feature of this update was a major reduction in loading times when fast-traveling between different map areas.
Performance varies by hardware: On standard consoles like the Xbox One S, players reported wait times dropping from ~60 seconds down to 10–20 seconds.
SSD advantage: Users with an SSD saw even more dramatic shifts, with load times falling to as little as 2–3 seconds.
Sub-Story Fixes: Several quests that could previously become "stuck" or inaccessible were patched to ensure players could reach 100% completion.
"Telekinesis Training": Fixed a bug where players couldn't accept this quest in Saiyan Arc Episode 3 after saving and loading data following the fight with Tien.
"Goten's Growth": Resolved an issue where Chi-Chi would disappear from the field if the Main Story was cleared without finishing this sub-story during Buu Arc Episode 1. Main Story & NPC Corrections:
The Longest Three Hours: Fixed the Main Story icon disappearing if you saved/loaded after clearing this specific episode.
Character Visibility: Addressed a bug where story-related characters wouldn't appear on the field if they were already present as a "Villainous Enemy" in the same area. Platform-Specific Fixes (Xbox One):
Fixed a common issue where the game would skip the opening cinematic and go straight to the title screen upon launch. How to Update
PlayStation/Xbox: The update should trigger automatically when you launch the game while connected to the internet. If it doesn't, you can manually check for updates via the Xbox Full Library or PlayStation dashboard.
Steam (PC): Steam will download the update automatically the next time you open the client.
While this update was vital for performance, players looking for newer content should check out later updates like v1.60 or the DAIMA Pack, which add new characters and storyline expansions.
How to install XBoX Series X Upgrade on DRAGON BALL Z: KAKAROT Improved stability and reduced crashes Balancing of enemy
Update Report: Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot The Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot v1.04 update
, released on January 30, 2020, significantly improved the player experience by addressing critical technical hurdles that were present at launch. The most notable "better" aspect of this version is the substantial reduction in wait times and the resolution of progress-blocking bugs. Performance: Reduced Load Times
One of the primary goals of this update was to shorten the long loading sequences when traveling between areas.
Area Transitions: Players reported noticeably faster travel between different map locations.
Platform Variability: While users on high-end hardware like the Xbox One X with an SSD saw load times drop from roughly 15 seconds to just 2–3 seconds, players on standard consoles also reported improvements, such as a drop from 45 seconds to about 35 seconds. Critical Bug Fixes
Version 1.04 addressed several issues that previously prevented players from completing stories or finding key characters:
"Telekinesis Training" (Saiyan Arc Episode 3): Fixed a bug where players could not accept this sub-story if they saved and loaded after fighting Tien.
"The Longest Three Hours" (Saiyan Arc Episode 5): Resolved an issue where the main story icon would disappear after saving and loading upon clearing this mission.
Character Visibility: Fixed a bug where characters related to main or sub-stories would not appear if they were already present on the field as "Villainous Enemies".
"Goten's Growth" (Buu Arc Episode 1): Corrected an issue where Chi-Chi would not appear on the field if the main story was cleared without finishing this sub-story first. Platform-Specific Enhancements
Xbox One: This update specifically fixed an issue where the game would skip the opening cinematic and go directly to the title screen.
General Stability: The update laid the groundwork for future content, though it did not yet include the highly anticipated "Time Machine" feature (which arrived in v1.06).
For a visual breakdown of these patch notes and how they impact gameplay:
The v1.04 update for Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot significantly improves the core experience by drastically reducing load times when traveling between areas. It also resolves several critical progression bugs that previously prevented players from completing certain story arcs or finding specific characters. Key Improvements in v1.04
Faster Loading: Significant reductions in wait times when transitioning between different regions of the world map. Sub-Story Fixes:
Telekinesis Training: Fixed an issue where the mission wouldn't trigger if you saved/loaded after fighting Tien.
Goten's Growth: Resolved a bug where Chi-Chi would disappear if you cleared the main story before finishing this sub-story.
Character Visibility: Fixed a bug where story-related characters wouldn't appear if they were already present on the map as a Villainous Enemy.
Xbox Specific: Fixed the issue where the opening cinematic was skipped, taking users directly to the title screen.
Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot update v1.04 was released primarily to improve performance by significantly reducing load times
when traveling between different areas. While it does not include new story content, it is considered "better" because it resolves several game-breaking progression bugs that previously forced players to reload earlier saves or miss out on side content. Bandai Namco Entertainment Key Improvements in v1.04 Performance
: Reduced loading times when traversing between world map areas. Sub-Story Fixes "Telekinesis Training"
: Resolved an issue where players couldn't accept this story if they saved/loaded after fighting Tien. "Goten's Growth"
: Fixed a bug where Chi-Chi would disappear from the field, preventing completion. Main Story Progression
: Fixed a missing Main Story icon that would occur after clearing "The Longest Three Hours". Character Visibility
: Addressed a bug where characters wouldn't appear for missions if they were already present on the field as a Villainous Enemy. Xbox One Specific
: Fixed an issue where the opening cinematic was skipped entirely, sending users directly to the title screen. Bandai Namco Entertainment Community Feedback Player data from platforms like
indicates a noticeable difference in speed, especially for those using SSDs: Xbox One S (Standard) : Load times dropped from roughly 45–75 seconds to 10–20 seconds Xbox One X (External SSD) : Load times improved from ~15 seconds to 2–3 seconds
: Generally reported to be faster, though some users noted the progress bar still "sticks" occasionally at certain points. Version 1.04 Patch Notes PlayStation4®/Xbox One/STEAM 30 Jan 2020 —