Bardock, Goku's father, is a central figure in Dragon Ball lore, appearing in various TV specials, movies, and manga. Over the decades, the character has been given different personalities, ranging from a cold warrior to a father with protective instincts. Recently, discussions in the community point out that the version presented in Dragon Ball Xenoverse offers the best blend of these traits.
The balance between classic and modern
Bardock's first appearance in the 1990 TV special established him as a relentless soldier who, upon receiving the gift of foresight, tries to change the fate of his race. In contrast, the Dragon Ball Super: Broly version shows him with a more heroic stance and concerned about his son's future. The game Dragon Ball Xenoverse manages to unite these two facets organically.
In the game, Bardock retains the brutality and Saiyan pride that longtime fans love, but his motivation reflects greater depth. He is not just a rebellious soldier, but someone carrying the weight of knowing what will happen to Planet Vegeta while fighting across different timelines.
The Masked Saiyan and new possibilities
One of the highlights of this version is the transformation into the Masked Saiyan. Under the control of villains like Towa and Mira, Bardock gains a new level of power and mystery. This approach allows the character to be explored outside the constraints of the main timeline of Akira Toriyama's work.
This creative freedom in the games allows him to interact with Goku and other warriors in hypothetical scenarios, something the movies and anime can rarely do without breaking the logic of the original story. According to franchise analyses, this versatility makes Xenoverse's Bardock the definitive depiction for many fans.
More about Bardock
Bardock was created by Toei Animation for the special "Dragon Ball Z: Bardock - The Father of Goku" and later integrated into canon by Akira Toriyama in the original manga. The character is one of the most popular low-class warriors in the franchise. Currently, his most recent appearances include the Granolah Arc in the Dragon Ball Super manga and games in the Xenoverse and Dragon Ball FighterZ lines.
Source: ComicBook
