Anime Dragonball Z Budokai (PS2)

[Manic Webb]

I didn't know which board to post this in (DragonBall or Sony) but after I saw a closed thread about Ultimate Battle 22 in Sony, I decided that this board would be best.

I recently bought DBZ Budokai for the Playstation 2. It's not the best fighting game I've ever played, but I think the gameplay is a lot better (and faster) than any of the past DBZ fighting games. Combos come a lot faster and easier, and most special attacks involve very little d-pad movement (ie. perform Goku's kamehameha by pressing Punch, Punch, Punch, Punch, Energy). I like the idea of only being able to perform special attacks after punch-kick combos, but it makes the game seem a little amature-ish; like they want to make everything a lot easier to do. That, or they just wanted to find an alternative to the standard "half-circle motion, and punch" method. My major gripe with gameplay is that there's no jump-button.

I'm impressed with Story mode. It's like watching an abridged version of DBZ. Radditz appears, kidnaps Gohan, and banters with Goku & Piccolo all within five minutes (something that took one or two episodes originally).

I liked the search for the dragon balls the first couple of times, but it gets to be really tiring by the third time. I hate going in and out of Popo's shop over and over for hours and hours until a random dragonball appears for sale. They could've found a more interesting way to search for the dragon balls, so I don't have to constantly weave in and out of a shop for hours on-end just to wish for one character's Breakthrough.

So, has anyone else played this game? What do you think of it?

[Syk3]

I got the game a while ago for Christmas. While it's no Virtua Fighter 4, I think it's a pretty good game on its own and will keep you playing right up until you get the final secret character. In my opinion, it's probably one of the best DBZ fighting games out there; I already own Dragonball Z: Legends for PSX. I like the way that the whole fighting is put together with the normal fighting sequence at first glance, the way it has multiple health meters, and how the energy meters that can be raised for stronger attacks by powering up. I didn't necessarily like the combos, though, mainly because it took me a while to get them to work, heh.

As for the story mode, I originally thought that it could have been done a bit better. At first, I really didn't like the clips, but as the game went on, and it started introducing alternate endings and such, I really began to gain more respect for them.

Searching for the dragonballs was kind of rediculous. I think that I got maybe one or two of them. At the time, I was concentrating more on getting the secret chatacers and opening up all the modes, which I did successfully, I might add. ;) Getting that last secret character, The Great Saiyaman, was actually pretty tough, since you had to beat the tournament on hard, and people kept hitting me out of the ring!

Overall, I liked the game. I thought it was one of the best Dragonball Z games, but deffinitly not the best fighting game. That honor I would have to give to my Virtua Fighting 4. :)

[Guest Hikaru Ichijyo]

Well I have to also confess I have owned this game since about the first week it was out. Like you two have said it's not one of the best 3D fighters to date... however its a much better improvement of Dragon Ball GT Final Bout.

Hey has anyone been able to confirm wether it's true that SSJ4 Goku is in the game? I read it on IGN codes but it seems highly unlikely, since it seems like Great SaiyaMan and Mr. Satan are the lasts 2 characters in the game to unlock.

[Jinzouningen17]

Well, I for one dont own this game yet, but I usually rent it constantly since I have free rentals at Blockbuster. But, it is definetly a fun game. I especially love Cell's hiddin ending on there [spoiler]with him accidentally absorbing Krillin and then transforms into Krell or Cellin or whatever you wanna call him. lol[/spoiler]. The game play was very nice in my opinion. The main thing I personally loved was the alternate endings, not only Cell's, but Frieza's aswell. I still havent been able to defeat it wit Vegeta yet. I can beat Goku and Krillin. But right when I get to Gohan, and as you know your energy doesnt go up after each fight, I get hit by Gohan 4 times or less, and I'm dead. :(

But personally, I think the game is pretty hot. Maybe the second best DBZ game to be made(the best is still DBZ Legends for PSX.). The storymode is definetly what put this game up as one of the best in my eyes since it goes through the complete storyline, and also offers alternate endings. Very nice game to say the very least. If you havent played this game, I highly recommend that you do play it atleast once.

[Zephyr]

I rented the game once from Blockbuster, and unlocked everything (excpet Breakthroughs) in that week's time. I even know a really cheesy way to unlock the Hercule and Sayiaman characters, and make the tourney mode easier (PM me for details).

The alternate endings were great, although I wish the one for Frieza was better. Personally I think the best part were the "planet destroyer" attacks. :devil: I had endless fun with those.

I kinda liked the easy combo controls, since I am a button-masher, but they still took some pratice to time properly.

[Manic Webb]

I really like playing as Hercule. He's the funniest player in the entire game. Half of his attacks make him knock himself out (actually, it gets kinda frustrating to constantly lose my High Tension after using his "planet destroyer.")

Another thing I really enjoy about the game is the ability to travel around the stages. I think you can knock your opponent all the way around planet Namek and back until someone uses a "planet destroyer."

I used to like Burst Mode, but now it's a real problem for me. I like to rotate the analogue stick with my palm, and constantly falling into Burst Mode mid-battle has taken its toll on my hand.

[Chaos]

Personally, this game could have been better. I think it'd be much better if they had waited a little bit longer for release and then included the entire DBZ series. But let's not go into that, shall we?

No Rick, there is no SSJ4 Goku in the game. Nor is there a SSJ3 Goku. Whoever tells you that just made some codes for Codebreaker or GameShark that edits his appearance whenever you transform.

I love the gameplay. Before this, Tekken was my favorite fighting game. Now, Tekken has hard hits and sudden knock-outs [ala Bryan's combos], but the actual gameplay is slow and clunky for the most part. This is where Budokai shines. Hard hits and fast action.

I think they could have made the cell-shading a little less bright, and possibly made the damage progressive. For example, let's say you use Vegita's Big Bang Attack against Android 19. Instead of destroying everything for about a thousand miles, how about just nuking the somewhat close area where the blast hit?

I think they also could have made clear damage on the characters as well. Like, for example, you have Kakarot fire a ki blast [which should, in my opinion, be able to charge up the longer you hold circle], and Furiza blocks it. Now, shouldn't Furiza be a little burnt up and just smoking a tad?

As for the combos, I like them like that. Those horrible days of MK2 on N64 and Killer Instinct Gold are finally behind me. But not all of them are easy. Take a look at Nappa's Bomber DX. That things a ***** if your opponent just hounds on the guard.

You have to remember, too, that the game is aimed for younger kids. Even though it's rated T...V_V

[Transtic Nerve]

Lol they had a tourny for this game at Megacon 2003, and I was watching it... and when I was about to leave I said that the game was quite possibly the dumbest thing I've ever seen. And it is. It looks so unbelievably boring and slow... they need to make faster games like Tekken with characters from DBZ if they want anything good. It's horrid.

And MK2 didn't have combos :p ANd the KI combo's. the original, not Gold, were the best ever.

[Ryan]

This was one of the worst fighting games I have ever played. I agree with TN about making it faster and better. I didn't spend my money because of bad reviews. I just saved myself $50!:)

[Vegitto4]

It was an alright game. One of those that passes the time when you have nothing better to do. My friends actually got insanely good at it. it was really pathetic that they spent that much time on that game. Meh. I like Transtic's idea about a tekken with DBZ characters...sounds like an interesting game.

[Guest Imsirion]

Budokai is a button-masher's paradise, curse them. I prefer DragonBall Z Super Butoden/2/3, DragonBall Z: Buyu Retsuden, and even Ultimate Battle 22, honestly.

[Charles]

I enjoyed Budokai more than I thought I would. There are a couple of points that I have to address though.

The most glaring problem is that the characters aren't balanced according to the series at all. Scrubs like the Ginyu force have no problem hanging with the likes of SSJ2 Gohan. I understand how unbalanced the game would be if the characters fought in accordance to their stats, but there should be an option that allows the game to stay true to the series.

Perhaps the training mode could double as a room of spirit and time, that would allow players to power up their characters and ascend to new power levels. That would be cool.

The other minor issue I had with the game, was how cheap tournament mode was. It was far too easy to get thrown from the ring. It's so cheap and irritating.

Other than that, I don't have much else to say. I can rant about how shallow the game play is, how rushed the flight dynamics are (or the lack thereof), and the lack of an updated roster, but those problems have already been beaten to death by others.

On the bright side, some of the special moves featured some phenominal animation. And, I was pleased that the game featured voice acting and recreated segments from the show. It's not bad for a fan of the dubbed version, at least.

[Syk3]

Ai, I must not have played the game that long, but can someone fill me in on these "Planet Destroyer" attacks? If it's anything like what I'm thinking, then it should be pretty fun to do. ^_^

[Manic Webb]

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by Syk3 [/i]
[B]Ai, I must not have played the game that long, but can someone fill me in on these "Planet Destroyer" attacks? If it's anything like what I'm thinking, then it should be pretty fun to do. ^_^ [/B][/QUOTE]
Certain characters have certain attacks that are so powerful and big, they warp your stage beyond recognition.

For example, if you perform Goku's Spirit Bomb/Genki Dama attack on the planet Namek stage, the sky will turn brown and cloudy, all of the land will disappear except for the tiny patch you're fighting on, and the oceans will start to sink (just like when Goku and Freeza were fighting). Most stages (except for the room of spirit & time and the World Tournament arena) will leave all planet-life dead for miles and a giant crater in the ground. Takes away a third of your opponent's life, too.

Destroy pieces of the planet with these attacks...

Goku - Spirit Bomb
Teen Gohan - Super Kamehameha
Vegeta - Big Bang Attack
Trunks - Burning Attack
Cell - Spirit Bomb
Freeza - Death Ball (I think)
Android 16 - Hell Flash
Hercule - Present For You (very funny. Involves an explosive device)

[Jinzouningen17]

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by Endymion [/i]
[B]Destroy pieces of the planet with these attacks...

Android 16 - Hell Flash[/B][/QUOTE]

Boy, aint that the truth. But I wouldnt just say he blew up a piece of a planet wit that move. I was usin Juurokugou one time against...I think it was Imperect Cell if I'm not mistaken, and we were in a plain, beautiful place(like the place where Cell found Juuhachigou, Juurokugou, and Kuririn standin at durin the Cell saga). Next thing I know, I was pushin a bunch of buttons and all of a sudden, I did that Hell's Flash move and the entire screen flashed at me. Next thing I know, it looks like we're fightin in a wasteland. When I did that, I was like "OOOOOH SNAP!" Thats one of the main reasons I still get that game is because of moves like that. I havent tried the rest of em, but I keep wantin to use Juurokugou just so I can do that move again(which I've only been able to do it 3 times. :( )

[WW2]

Budokai is pretty good. Its one of the best DBZ games I've played. My favorite character to play as has to be Mr. Satan (Hercule). His moves are pretty damn funny.

[Gohan]

I bought this game a couple of weeks ago and must admit i was pretty impressed. The characters look much better than on any of the other DBZ games i've played. THe story mode was really good too. They didn't go into too much detail with the speech and the things which they re-created from the series were very good and looked like they did on the series(Like when Krillin blasts a hole through Vegeta).

Having to do combos before you can do a ki attack was good too because i found the combos really easy and the visuals on the attacks were very good.

Even though there wasn't a great deal of differnece between Nappa and SSJ Goku there is an increase in Goku's damage done when he transforms to Super Saiyan which is better than no difference!

But the thing that really pissed me off was the tournament mode! I still haven't got the great Saiyaman. I get to the last round of the tourny and think i'm fighting someone real easy and they come straight out kick my *** and knock me out of the god damn ring (even thought it's on very easy!!) And Buu and babidi are on the cover but you aren't able to play as them (it'd be funny playing as babidi!!)

But overall i was pretty impressed and i know MajinVegeta was also impressed because i let him borrow it and so did Yoda but i haven't spoke to him to find out his reaction to the game.

[Manic Webb]

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by Super Gohan [/i]
[B]But the thing that really pissed me off was the tournament mode! I still haven't got the great Saiyaman. I get to the last round of the tourny and think i'm fighting someone real easy and they come straight out kick my *** and knock me out of the god damn ring (even thought it's on very easy!!) And Buu and babidi was on the cover but you weren't able to play as them (it's be funny playing as babidi!!)[/B][/QUOTE]
Um... Buu and Babidi aren't in this game at all. Not that I know of, anyway. :cross:

Let me tell you a secret to beating Tournament mode... (highlight to view)
[spoiler]Go to Edit Skills mode and select the slot where your memory card is (slot 1 or 2). Now go to Change Caps.
Go to your favorite character (although I suggest Krillin or Kid Gohan because they're so short). Give them the 4 attacks you use the most, and then equip them with Viral Heart Disease and Vaccine. Using both of these will make your opponent's health slowly drain during a fight. Ok, leave Edit Skills mode.

Now, go to Options mode. Set the game timer to 30 seconds.

Play Tournament mode as the character you just gave the Viral Heart Disease and Vaccine, and put them on Custom. In every fight, all you have to do is last 30 seconds without getting a Ring Out, and you've won! The Heart Disease and Vaccine will drain your opponent's health faster than they can beat you up. When the timer ends, they'll have less health than you and you'll win!

If you don't have Viral Heart disease and/or Vaccine, then either play Story mode until you get them (Story mode gives you support items and attacks randomly whenever you win a fight), or buy them as Support Items or Recommended Items in Popo's Shop.[/spoiler]

[Gohan]

I know they aren't in the game, i just meant that they were in the cover and they aren't in the game. And thanx for the tip!

[Youko Minamino]

Putting Radditsu, Nappa, and Dodoria in the game was kind of pointless, as they didn't use enough [B]named[/B] ki attacks to name them in the game. All the technique names were made up by viz and infogrames. But its still cool. Budokai could've been better, but its an okay Dragon Ball game.

[Shinken]

I'd have to agree with the fact that Budokai isn't exactly up to par in the whole fighting mechanics area, but as for the whole DBZ thing... It rocks!!! :excited:

The Story Mode is awesome, the graphics and sound are superb, and, despite their simplicity, the moves are awesome! For example, check out Trunks' Finish Buster Attack; besides blowing up the world, the way he performs it is also cool (those are some fast hands! Wonder how good he is at poker...)!

If I had to give this game a grade, I'd give it an 85%. The game itself makes up for the simple mechanics.

Vegeta Rocks!!!

:demon: Saiyan Out :demon:

[Mighty kai]

I've never played on this game before. Can you tell me what the graphics are like?

[SephirothNIN]

I think the graphics are pretty good, especially the 3d intro (altho it's not the exact same as the TV version). I tried that heart virus trick and it's still damned hard to get the great saiyaman. It's like the CPU always does its charge attack and knocks you out of the ring the second you leave yourself open >=(. Anywhoo I thought the story mode was really fun (still second to Legends) but they left out a lot of stuff seemingly for no reason. Like when #18 breaks vegeta's arm, would it really have been THAT hard to show some of their actual fight? Or Trunks trying to interrupt or anything? I'm sure they had pleeeenty of room on the disc grrr. And MK2 DID have combos! Juggling ones anyway, where you could jump kick someone in the corner, low punch them twice, then do a move. Or there's also scorpion's jump kick - teleport punch - spear. Also having 100% balanced characters isn't always the best. In the psx game DBZ Legengs the characters are pretty balanced, so if you're playing vs. mode and you're vegetto, and your friend is say....Krillin. It might only take 2 of vegetto's cinematic moves to win, but it might take krillin 4 or 5. In story mode that works fine but in vs. mode it's a little annoying.

[Manic Webb]

Actually, they did show #18 break Vegeta's arm. They just didn't show it in slow-motion like the TV series, so it goes by really fast.

And in Tournament mode, remember to side-step. If you side-step at the right moment, your opponent's charge attack will completely miss you and you can attack them from the back.
And remember to fight back. I used to block my way through Tourny mode with the Heart Disease, but then I just started fighting back. All you have to do is keep side-stepping when you're getting too close to the edge of the ring.

And just for the sake of making it easier, put the game on both Very Easy and Very Weak.

[Gohan]

[QUOTE]The Story Mode is awesome, the graphics and sound are superb, and, despite their simplicity, the moves are awesome! For example, check out Trunks' Finish Buster Attack; besides blowing up the world, the way he performs it is also cool (those are some fast hands! Wonder how good he is at poker...)!

[/B][/QUOTE]

Just thought i'd point out that it's Trunks' burning attack not his finish buster. I thought i could get Great Saiyaman without using the virl heart disease but after many attempts i started to get really pissed off and decided to use the heart disease. It was so easy but i was really disappointed with Great Saiyaman. In my opinion he doesn't have one decent move!! ANd i spent ages trying to get him!!