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Dragon Ball Z: Budokai

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Dragon Ball Z: Budokai series
Cover art for the first Budokai game for the Playstation 2
Developer(s)Dimps
Publisher(s)
SeriesDragon Ball
Platform(s)Play Station 2 Gamecube
Release2002-2008
Genre(s)Fighting
Mode(s)Single-player
Multiplayer

The Dragon Ball Z: Budokai series are a series of fighting games based on the Dragon Ball media franchise.

Gameplay

The gameplay of the Budokai series is similar to most fighting games. Two characters from the Dragon Ball franchise fight in a three-dimensional environment until the health meter of one character is depleted, and the opposing player wins. The player is able to initiate a variety of special moves in order to defeat his or her opponent.

History

Budokai

Dragon Ball Z: Budokai, released as Dragon Ball Z (ドラゴンボールZ, Doragon Bōru Zetto) in Japan, is a fighting game released for the PlayStation 2 on December 3, 2002 in North America and for the Nintendo GameCube in North America on October 28, 2003. The game was released in Japan by Bandai on the PlayStation 2 on February 13, 2003, and on the Nintendo GameCube on November 28, 2003. It was developed by Dimps and published by Atari. As the GameCube version was released almost a year after the PlayStation 2 version, the opportunity was taken to improve the graphics using cel-shaded animation.

Budokai 2

Dragon Ball Z: Budokai 2, released as Dragon Ball Z 2 (ドラゴンボールZ2, Doragon Bōru Zetto Tsū) in Japan, is a fighting game based upon the popular anime series, Dragon Ball Z. Budokai 2 is a sequel to Dragon Ball Z: Budokai and was developed by Dimps and published by Atari for the PlayStation 2 and Nintendo GameCube. It was released in North America on December 4, 2003. In 2004 its sequel Dragon Ball Z: Budokai 3 was released. As the GameCube version was released sometime after the PlayStation 2 version (December 15, 2004), the opportunity was taken to improve the graphics slightly and add new costumes. Japan received the game on February 5, 2004 for the PlayStation 2 from Bandai. There was no Japanese version of the GameCube version, although the European GameCube version did feature the Japanese voiceover.

Budokai 3

Dragon Ball Z: Budokai 3, released as Dragon Ball Z 3 (ドラゴンボールZ3, Doragon Bōru Zetto Surī) in Japan, is a video game based on the popular anime series Dragon Ball Z and was developed by Dimps and published by Atari for the Playstation 2. It was released on November 16, 2004 in North America through standard release and a Limited Edition release, which included a DVD featuring behind the scenes looks on the game's development. Europe soon saw a release on December 3, 2004. In Fall 2005, Europe obtained a new edition which included character models not available in the North American release as well as a few items and the ability to switch the voices over to Japanese. Japan later saw a release from Bandai on February 10, 2005 and also included the extras that the North American release did not have. Soon after, the Greatest Hits version in North America contained the extra features, including the ability to play with the Japanese voices.

Shin Budokai

Dragon Ball Z: Shin Budokai (ドラゴンボールZ 真武道会, Doragon Bōru Zetto Shin Budôkai, Dragon Ball Z: True Tournament) is a fighting video game part of the Dragon Ball Z franchise, and was released on March 7 2006. It was developed by Dimps. Scenario story mode is based on the events of the Dragon Ball Z movie Fusion Reborn. The players follow the events of the story in which you choose Goku and friends, including enemy characters, along the way. The choices that you make determine how the story evolves.

Another mode is the Arcade mode, a single player mode that lets you brawl against the CPU in order to fight and gain the Dragon Balls. Next is the Z trial mode, which consists of two different types of play: survival, where you fight against CPU-controlled opponents for as long as you can, and time attack, where you see how fast you can make it through a predetermined set of opponents.

Finally, there’s the Profile Card mode in which the players will have their in-game character profile cards that lists their name and power level. The player can design their own card and customize them with the items from the game's item store.

Shin Budokai: Another Road

Dragon Ball Z: Shin Budokai - Another Road (known simply as Dragon Ball Z: Shin Budokai 2 (ドラゴンボールZ 真武道会2, Doragon Bōru Zetto Shin Budôkai Tzū, Dragon Ball Z: True Budokai 2) in Japan and Europe) is the sequel to the best-selling Dragon Ball Z: Shin Budokai fighting game for PlayStation Portable. The story arc is a brand new story telling about Majin Buu being released in Future Trunks' timeline.

Playable characters

Character 1 2 3 Shin Shin Another Road
Goku Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY
Kid Gohan Green tickY Red XN Green tickY Red XN Red XN
Teen Gohan Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY
Great Saiyaman Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Red XN Red XN
Vegeta Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY
Trunks Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY
Piccolo Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY
Krillin Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY
Tien Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Red XN Red XN
Yamcha Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Red XN Red XN
Android 16 Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Red XN Red XN
Android 17 Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Red XN Red XN
Android 18 Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY
Android 19 Green tickY Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN
Frieza Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY
Dodoria Green tickY Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN
Zarbon Green tickY Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN
Captain Ginyu Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Red XN Red XN
Recoome Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Red XN Red XN
Cell Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY
Hercule Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Red XN Red XN
Nappa Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Red XN Red XN
Raditz Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Red XN Red XN
Goten Red XN Green tickY Green tickY Red XN Red XN
Gohan Red XN Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY
Kid Trunks Red XN Green tickY Green tickY Red XN Red XN
Videl Red XN Green tickY Green tickY Red XN Red XN
Supreme Kai Red XN Green tickY Green tickY Red XN Red XN
Dr. Gero Red XN Green tickY Green tickY Red XN Red XN
Dabura Red XN Green tickY Green tickY Red XN Green tickY
Majin Buu Red XN Green tickY Green tickY Red XN Green tickY
Super Buu Red XN Green tickY Green tickY Red XN Green tickY
Kid Buu Red XN Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY
Saibamen Red XN Red XN Green tickY Red XN Red XN
Cell Jr. Red XN Red XN Green tickY Red XN Red XN
Bardock Red XN Red XN Green tickY Red XN Green tickY
Cooler Red XN Red XN Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY
Broly Red XN Red XN Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY
Syn Shenron Red XN Red XN Green tickY Red XN Red XN
Uub Red XN Red XN Green tickY Red XN Red XN
Kid Goku Red XN Red XN Green tickY Red XN Red XN
Janemba Red XN Red XN Red XN Green tickY Green tickY
Pikkon Red XN Red XN Red XN Green tickY Green tickY
Future Gohan Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Green tickY
Gotenks Red XN Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY
Gogeta Red XN Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY
Vegito Red XN Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY

Reception

Critics gave the first Budokai mixed or average reviews. The PS2 version received an average score of 68% based on 41 reviews on the review aggregator Game Rankings, and an average score of 67 out of 100 based on 28 reviews on Metacritic.

The GameCube version received an average score of 66% based on 30 reviews on the review aggregator Game Rankings, and an average score of 65 out of 100 based on 16 reviews on Metacritic. Many critics complained about its simple interface and the fact that combos weren't worth the payoff. However, more complex combos were possible due to an oversight in the move canceling feature but were rarely known at the time. These oversights were turned into an important part of the system in the later games and were what high level play tended to revolve around

The PlayStation 2 of Budokai 2 version has an aggregate score of 69% on Game Rankings while the GameCube version has an aggregate score of 66%. GameSpot, who gave the game a 6.7/10 commented that "The improved visuals are nice, and some of the additions made to the fighting system are fun, but Budokai 2 still comes out as an underwhelming sequel."[1]

Budokai 3 was given much higher reviews than its predecessors Budokai and Budokai 2. This was often due to how critics felt that the game did more to improve its gameplay rather than just its graphics and presentation. It was given an 8.0/10 by IGN.[citation needed] GameTrailers gave it a 9.1/10.[citation needed] Its fighting and graphics have also been praised, with IGN stating that Budokai 3 was "One of the few instances of cel-shading done right, Budokai 3 also offers a healthy amount of special effects and pyrotechnics and they all look great."[2].

References

  1. ^ "PlayStation 2 review at GameSpot".
  2. ^ IGN: Dragon Ball Z Budokai 3 Review
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