Dragon Ball Z Budokai (Playstation 2)

by Dimps

Product Features

• A showdown of legendary proportions!
• Follow the Dragon Ball Z animated series from Saiyan Saga to Cell Games!
• Face off with up to 23 mighty Dragon Ball Z warriors!
• Unlock, collect, and trade devastating skills with friends to create the most powerful fighters in the universe!
• Battle at blazing speeds in the Burst Zone!

Product Details

• ASIN: B00005BR6H
• Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 5.4 x 0.7 inches ; 4 ounces
• Media: Video Game
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (217 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,012 in Video Games (See Top 100 in Video Games)

Product Description

Amazon.com Review

Dragon Ball Z: Budokai faithfully recreates the popular Dragon Ball animated series, giving you the power to fight up to 23 familiar friends and foes in a variety of scenarios. It's not for the weak of thumb, so start out with a little practice, learning the powerful kicks, punches, and elaborate combinations that will lead you to victory. When you’ve mastered the skills, and warmed up your thumbs, jump into the tournament ring and defeat opponents--every victory wins you money to spend at Mr. Popo’s, buying and trading skills to trounce future opponents.

The Story segment of the game may be the most fun for fans, though it diverges from standard gameplay. Where most games have long, elaborate series of gameplay, intercut with story, Dragon Ball Z intercuts very short interactive battles with long animated sequences portraying everything from the Saiyan Saga through to the Cell Games. The animation and voicing in these sequences mirrors the television series and even uses the very same voice actors as the show. Some fans may be disappointed when gameplay ends with the Cell Games--or they may take it as a sure sign that future games will be released to cover the remaining sagas.

Fun? Yes. Flawless? No. There’s not a whole lot under the surface of the sagas--what you see is what you get. And you also might get a little carpal tunnel syndrome along the way--the button-mashing combinations needed to pull off the most awesome moves may not be friendly to fans’ forearms. Still, Dragon Ball Z: Budokai may be a slam dunk for fans of the series who now have the opportunity not just to watch the sagas, but to participate in them. --Maile Bohlmann

Pros:

• Faithfully re-creates the animated series
• Voicing by the original actors
• Two-player dueling option
• Story segment lets fans live in the Dragon Ball world

Cons:

• Elaborate combinations are difficult to remember
• Doesn't contain all the sagas
• Little depth of gameplay

Product Description

Enter the Dragon Ball Z Budokai. Test your skills against the most powerful Dragon Ball Z heros and the most sinister villains. Will you be the last warrior standing?

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

37 of 45 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars FINALLY!, December 15, 2002

By 

Nick Watkins "Nick Watkins" (New Albany, Indiana) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Dragon Ball Z Budokai (Playstation 2) (Video Game)

Until now, the only American video game for for Playstation was Dragon Ball GT. Because of the limited print run this game has been very hard to find. Well, the wait is now over! Dragon Ball Z: Budokai is now avaible in your local video game store!

Dragon Ball Z: Budokai is the most intense way to expreience the epic battles of Dragon Ball Z! 5 fighting modes, including Story Mode, which takes players from the Saiyan Saga to the Cell Games saga. Up to 23 of the most popular hereos and villians of DBZ are in this game, each with their own 60 combo moves each.

Character list:
Android #16
Android #17
Android #18
Android #19
Captain Ginyu
Cell
Dodoria
Frieza
Young Gohan
Teen Gohan
Great Saiyaman
Goku
Hercule
Krillin
Nappa
Piccolo
Raditz
Recoome
Tien
Trunks
VEGETA!!!!
Yamcha
and Zarbon

Just get it.

12 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Finally, a GOOD DBZ game!, December 15, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Dragon Ball Z Budokai (Playstation 2) (Video Game)

This game is summed up in one word: Amazing. I've been a huge fan of DBZ ever since 5th grade, and have been waiting for a DBZ game of this caliber for the longest time. Sure, Hyper Dimension for SNES and DBGT Final Bout for PSX were great, but they were pretty much just pure fighting. Budokai introduces some new elements to the old generation of fighting games. For example, there is now an actual true-to-the-show storyline, which even a DBZ veteran can enjoy, even if he or she already knows the entire thing. Also, you can buy skills to customize your favorite characters.
Speaking of characters, there are 23 of them. Among these are Krillin, Vegeta, Androids 16, 17, 18, and 19, Cell, Trunks, Goku, and many, many more. The skills are cool, and when performed they look even cooler. My favorite skill is Trunks' Final Buster. When executed, it fires a big sphere of energy at your foe, creating a giant explosion, and actually changing the scenery around you by demolishing everything is the explosion's path! It looks AMAZING. The background looks something like Namek after Frieza used his trump card to make it explode.
Now, on to the combat. The combos are simply executed, and you don't have to rush pressing the buttons to execute an Energy Dan like you do in Ultimate Battle 22 for PSX. There are 60 plus combo moves for each character, including throws, energy waves, and strong physical attacks. The bosses are, for the most part, tough and challenging, and provide good training to improve on your skills.
The graphics could be a lot better, but I think it goes better rather than some flashy, smooth graphics when compared to the TV show. Some characters are a little too polygonal, and the way their mouths move don't exactly match the text, but the awesome energy attacks greatly make up for those faults!
There are 5 fighting modes to choose from. Story, Duel, World Tournament, Practice, and another cool one. I'm too tired, I forget what it is. All of them provide good challenges.
Dragonball Z Budokai is by no means a perfect game, but it's extremely fun, even if you're not a DBZ fan! Every game has its faults. This one is the graphics. If you like DBZ and have been waiting for a good one to come out, this is the game for you!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars THE BEST DRAGONBALL Z GAME EVER!!!, December 31, 2002

By 

SUPER GOKU (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Dragon Ball Z Budokai (Playstation 2) (Video Game)

Dragonball z Budokai is one of the best Dragonball z games ever released. You can choose up to 23 great warriors like Goku, Vegeta, and many others. There are a great deal of unlockable characters. The best part about this game is that you can edit skills in the Edit Skills section. If you are a Dragonball Z fan, then you will love this game. The story follows the anime series very accurately.

The hardest thing abouut the game, though, is the Tournament Mode. Basically, the only way to win is to knock the person out of the ring. As you progress through the tournament, it will get very difficult. for me it took me five long days just to beat the tournament mode, and when you get to the end, you get a bonus character,(I am not telling who the character is.)

I wished they could have put more detail on the game, for example, adding the Majin Buu Saga, but I guess I can see why they Infogrames did not put that part in because the saga is not done on Cartoon Network.

Overall, I think the game is a great game. If you are a Hardcore DBZ fan like me, then you should go out and get it. Maybe the developers will make a part two of this game, at least I hope so.