Dragon Ball Gekishin Squadra locks SSJ3 Goku to the shop — here’s the real free path

Bandai Namco just kicked off Season 1 of Dragon Ball Gekishin Squadra with the kind of move that makes free-to-play veterans wince: Son Goku (SSJ3) is live now, but only in the shop for 250 diamonds (about €8). If you’re hoping to unlock him for free through play, you’ll have to wait until the season ends – then grind through the game’s Star Collection. That caught my attention because it’s a classic FOMO lever, and the community’s patience for pay-gated characters is thinner than ever.

Key Takeaways

• SSJ3 Goku is shop-only during Season 1 for 250 diamonds (~€8); no free path until the season ends.
• Gotenks (SSJ) and Toppo are also coming this season, likely under the same shop-first rule with no dates yet.
• After the season, characters enter the Star Collection at high levels (SSJ3 Goku is expected around level 119), demanding heavy grinding.
• Star Collection level requirements reportedly drop over time, so patience eventually pays off – emphasis on “eventually.”

Breaking Down the Announcement

Here’s the setup. Gekishin Squadra’s progression revolves around collecting character fragments to earn stars, which push you through the Star Collection – a long-term track where you can unlock characters. The catch: new season characters don’t show up there at launch. They’re locked to the in-game shop during their debut season.

Right now, that means SSJ3 Goku costs 250 diamonds. If you don’t buy, you wait for the season to wrap, then he moves into the Star Collection at a high tier. The current cap sits around level 118, and the expectation is that SSJ3 Goku lands at least at level 119 when the season ends. In other words: not only do you wait, you may also face new tiers and a serious grind to reach him.

Bandai Namco also says Star Collection level requirements for characters will decrease over time. That’s good long-term — it means older season heroes should get easier to obtain. But in the short term, this is straight-up “pay now or grind later.” If SSJ3 Goku turns out strong or meta-defining, the pressure to pay spikes. If he’s more of a sidegrade, the pain is mostly FOMO. We’ve seen this dance before across free-to-play: Overwatch 2’s hero gating sparked backlash until challenges eased things; gacha titles lean into banner FOMO. Gekishin Squadra is opting for a shop-first, delayed-free approach.

How to Unlock SSJ3 Goku for Free (Eventually)

If you’re set on the free route, here’s the reality check and a game plan. You can’t unlock SSJ3 Goku through play during Season 1. Your path opens after the season, and it will likely be deep into the Star Collection. That means every star and fragment you earn from now on should be treated as fuel for that climb.

• Wait out the season: Don’t waste resources hunting an unlock that isn’t there. Accept the delay.
• Grind stars consistently: Complete daily/weekly activities, events, and any modes that reward fragments and stars. Save everything toward Star Collection progression.
• Plan your Star Collection path: Prioritize nodes and milestones that accelerate overall progression. Avoid detours unless they unlock something you need immediately.
• Stockpile diamonds anyway: If a future bundle drops at a discount or you change your mind, having 250 diamonds ready gives you flexibility.
• Be patient post-season: Expect SSJ3 Goku to sit above the current cap. As new levels unlock, keep pushing; over time his level requirement should drop, easing the climb.

Is it fun to wait weeks and then grind for a character revealed at season start? No. But if you’re a free-to-play purist, this is the path — and it will eventually get you there without paying. Just be honest with yourself about time vs. money: the system is designed to make €8 look painless compared to the hours needed later.

The Gamer Perspective: Smart Design or Straight Cash Grab?

I’m of two minds. On one hand, there’s transparency: SSJ3 Goku is available right now for a fixed price, not buried in a gacha banner with predatory odds. That’s cleaner than pure RNG. On the other hand, gating him entirely from the free track during his debut season feels cynical. It manufactures scarcity around the most hype window — launch — and pushes players to pay or sit on their hands.

Whether this becomes a community flashpoint depends on balance. If SSJ3 Goku is overtuned, competitive sentiment will sour fast. If he’s simply another option, the sting is softer. Either way, Bandai Namco needs to ensure the Star Collection grind feels achievable, with clear, rewarding steps, not a slog that burns players out before they even reach level 119.

What About Gotenks (SSJ) and Toppo?

Two more characters — Gotenks (SSJ) and Toppo (from Dragon Ball Super) — are slated for Season 1 with no dates yet, and they’ll follow the same shop-first, free-later system. If you’re budgeting, assume 250 diamonds each at launch. If you’re free-to-play, pace your grind and expect a staggered Star Collection arrival later, likely also at high initial levels that drop over time.

Looking Ahead

If you want SSJ3 Goku now and you’re fine with the price, 250 diamonds is the frictionless path. If you’re committed to free play, the strategy is patience and consistent Star Collection progression. The model isn’t surprising in 2025, but it is a test of how much grind the Gekishin Squadra community is willing to swallow to avoid the checkout screen. Bandai Namco, the ball’s in your court: keep the grind fair, keep balance tight, and this could land as a tolerable compromise instead of a season-long headache.

TL;DR

SSJ3 Goku is shop-only this season for 250 diamonds (~€8). The free route unlocks after the season via the Star Collection, likely around level 119 and demanding serious grind. Pay if you want him now; otherwise, settle in for the long haul.