Vegeta is a prince of the planet Vegeta, and is the most powerful and feared of all the Saiyans. Cunning, ruthless, and cruel in battle, he enjoys toying with any helpless creature who opposes him. He comes to Earth with Nappa, another Saiyan, to conquer the planet. Vegeta and Nappa underestimate the Z fighters by thinking the mission will take only three days, when in fact, they never succeed. Vegeta gets so fed up with Nappa that he mercilessly kills him. Vegeta looses the battle on Earth, but escapes death because of Goku's generosity.
Vegeta goes to Namek in search of the Dragon Balls with the wish for immortality. Discovering he cannot defeat Frieza alone, he fights with Gohan and Krillin, and then with Goku and Piccolo when they arrive.