Vegeta explains the legend of the Super Saiyan as Goku begins his battle with Ginyu Force member Reacoom (not depicted). 3000 years ago the last Super Saiyan wrought death and destruction on an unprecidented scale. However, he was primal and could only maintain his enormous power while in Oozaru (Great Ape) form. As such his rage burned to such an extent that his own fluctuating energies obliterated him and the planet he was on. And now Kakkarot; a low-class warrior has harnessed those very energies, the first in three millenia.