The Dragon Ball franchise has been well-known for comprising of a series of fighting games for over twenty years, but none as recognized as the Budokai sub-series. This collection includes both Dragon Ball Z: Budokai and Dragon Ball Z: Budokai 3, both of which were initially released on the PlayStation 2. Reasons why Budokai 2 is missing from the collection are currently unknown. Nevertheless, two iconic entries in the well-known fighting series are now available to Xbox 360 and PS3 owners. Since both of these titles are about eight to ten years old and this is merely an HD conversion, this review will focus on the conversion itself, as well as how well these games hold up today. So…how does it fair?
Masoud of DualShockers writes:
"The Dragon Ball franchise is in a weird state.
As noted in my review on Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Z, there’s something about the franchise that has been able to maintain its rather overwhelmingly large and dedicated fanbase for decades since its debut back in 1984. And yet, the games have always had a hard time of capturing the core of the franchise, of making what could be called the quintessential must-have, be-all, end-all Dragon Ball game, though many have captured a part of it. But there’s just something so epic, so grand in scope, that’s hard to dissect and contain in one disc, cartridge, cassette and on. At least, so far.
So how do you make the a better Dragon Ball game? What kind of steps can be taken to revive the franchise, to invigorate it, as if resurrected by the dragon balls of game development? And how can future games bring something new to the table?"
Agreed. This is exactly what we need. From the beginning of the series all the way to Bills.
^Agree, just give me everything until Buu and I'm happy. I'd love to search for dragonballs & develop new techniques in a DBZ open world action adventure. I don't understand why 90% of the DBZ games are fighting games ...
I'm not a fan of Bills, but a large portion of the DBZ fan base is. So, I would include it.
@MightyNoX:
GT was never canon to begin with, the mangas ended with Z and Akira Toriyama wasn't involved in its production.
Something new? hmm..... what about quitting and stop the god damn milking? nowadays these DBZ games are all the same minus one or two characters. Just let it go..let Goku rest in peace.
That's exactly why I'm a proponent for moving onto a new story or an alternate verse. The world had some interesting ideas, but the formula became the same, and that was inherited by the games. Time to switch things up.
@zod18
GRRRRR... an open world RPG would be AMAZING!!! Lets make this happen, someone draw up a petition!
Agreed. It needs to be an RPG with a refined combat system and capture the story telling, characters, and atmosphere of the anime.
I think people are tired of following the same story over and over, not that the DBZ story isn't fantastic, but the universe is massive. There is so much opportunity for completely new story lines with new characters, as well as branches of little known characters. Do what Avatar did with Korra and branch out, completely write over GT if need be (I don't think many would complain. A lot of us don't consider it to be cannon and care little about it).
Stop giving us rehashed arcade fighters. I don't think there's much more than Budokai 3 or Tenkaichi Budokai 3 that you can offer us in that genre.
I want a DBZ game with every DBZ character and gameplay like dbz budokai tenkaichi 3 with graphics like dbz ultimate tenkaichi or better!
I just want a new budokai/burst limit game with all the characters, and gameplay from budokai 3. Characters in tenkaichi all had the same moves.
Yes, how many times are gamers going to relive the Freiza saga. Time to move on, that story is told the exact same way every time.
We need a completely new story or saga that is exclusive to consoles, with all new villains for Goku and his friends to fight.
And alternate storyline would be really nice to be honest. DBZ/DBGT are pretty old and the stories are tired. Going the Full Metal:Brotherhood route would be nice and would help the entire franchise out.
That's exactly what I meant with the reference to Tenchi Muyo. For better or worse, that series got to try different scenarios out while staying somewhat true to most of the characters personalities.
Smash Brothers Style With DBZ Characters.
After doing 40% damage character can do a KAI attack.
Kai Attacks can push players off maps ect
A K/O Punch off map would be @ 300% Dmg
Characters feel heavier when not flying
they can fly but getting knocked off map is easier
something like that.
Chadley, Tristan and Marshall of Punch Nerds pick up and pop in a copy of the HD remake of Dragonball Z Budokai 3 on the PS3 and discuss the power of mustaches, unwarranted pride and the horrifying idea of quick time events.
Emperor Blue Monkey @EpicDome:"I was happy to catch some inspiration from some of the readers of part one of this article. After my first list of fighting games deserving a next gen release, I felt more or less obligated to continue the frenzy..."
Budokai 3 is awesome! I only wish it was made available as a standalone title, because I have no interest in Budokai 1. And its okay if Budokai 2 isn't in the collection. It's not needed.
i think its the best score you could give to this game !!!
Where's my Budokai Tenkaichi collection!? D:
... I agree with the score. I thought Te!kaichi was a lot better. Don't get me wrong though...the collection is ok"
This score is right on the money. I only purchased HD collection for Budokai 3. The first one didn't hold up too well. Also, it's a shame it didn't have Tenkaichi 3.