bit-tech Shopping: Atari Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 3 (PS2)

Rating: 8

Time with product:

Strengths: Good cel-shading graphics. One of the greatest character selection.

Weaknesses: Same old annoying button combination super attacks. Should give option for players to choose voice overs.

Summary: Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 3 is the last installment of the Dragon Ball Z: Budokai line. And it does not go out without a big bang. The game features same cel-shading graphics for characters and the surrounding environment that are seen in the previous installments, but the developer seems to have improve slightly more with each game. This game is no exception, with the special effects blended seamlessly with the cel-shading graphics, it makes everything looks good. The game features one of the greatest character rosters ever available for Dragon Ball Z games. There are over 150 characters available for players to choose from, including some gigantic characters. The fighting systems are pretty much the same from the previous installments. Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 3 inherits the same old annoying button combination super attacks that have been in existence since the second Dragon Ball Z: Budokai game. While it might not be hard to do, but once a button is missed, the rest of the attack gone to mush. They also should have give the players option to choose whether to use the English voice over or the original Japanese voice over, since some preferred one over the other. Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 3 is pretty much the same as the previous installments, except with greater character rosters. Overall, it is a fun game but might seem repetitive to those that played the previous games. But it is a must play for Dragon Ball Z fans who want to see their favorite characters in the game.

Rating: 8

Time with product: 2 Months

Strengths: Insane number of charactersGreat cell shaded graphics

Weaknesses: A lot of characters are either nearly pallet swaps, or broken and unusable

Summary: If you like fighting games and DBZ, go pick this up. Unlike the newest DBZ fighter (on PS3 and 360), this game has pretty much any character in DBZ you could ever want, and many you probably wouldn't. The fighting system isn't as deep as most "serious" fighters, but if you are ok with button mashing, flashy, and fun gameplay, give it a shot.

Rating: 6

Time with product: 1

Strengths: A LOT of playable characters.

Weaknesses: It's yet another fighting game.

Summary: I bought this for my nephew who is a big fan of the Dragonball Z anime series & fighting games. I am neither a fan of anime nor a fan of fighting games (at least not anymore, though I remember Mortal Kombat on the SNES fondly), so this review is likely a bit harsher than it might be if I actually liked this games. Anyway - it's another relatively boring fighting game, with the same old tired moves, the same old tired 'special moves', etcetera etcetera. One thing I found rather annoying was that at many points, multiple characters will be narrating the storyline, which I found difficult to follow (being unfamiliar with the series didn't help).That said, there are lots and lots of playable characters, which provides at least some variety to gameplay. The graphics are pretty good, and the music isn't half bad. My young nephew really likes it, & I don't mind playing it with him (even if he scoffs at the graphics of Mortal Kombat on the SNES, haha). The bottom line is that if you like fighting games & Dragonball Z, you'll undoubtedly like this title. If not, well, maybe you can at least enjoy playing it with someone who does?