Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi
Genre(s)Fighting game
Developer(s)Spike
Spike Chunsoft
Publisher(s)Bandai
Bandai Namco Entertainment
Platform(s)PlayStation 2
Nintendo Wii
PlayStation Portable
Microsoft Windows
PlayStation 5
Xbox Series X/S
First releaseDragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi
October 2005
Latest releaseDragon Ball: Sparking! Zero
TBA

Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi, released in Japan as Dragon Ball Z: Sparking! (ドラゴンボールZ Sparking!), is a series of fighting games developed by Spike based on the Dragon Ball manga series by Akira Toriyama. The series was published by Namco Bandai Games in Japan and Europe, and by Atari in North America and Australia until 2008. Since Budokai Tenkaichi 3, Bandai Namco has handled Dragon Ball game publishing in all regions, effectively ending Atari's involvement.[1]

The original game was released in 2005 as a PlayStation 2 exclusive, while the second and third installments released for PS2 and Wii. Moreover, a spin-off titled Tenkaichi Tag Team released on PlayStation Portable in 2010. In March 2023, a new title was revealed during the Dragon Ball Games Battle Hour event.[2]

Origin of name[edit]

The "Sparking!" in the Japanese title references the last lyric found in the chorus of the first opening theme to the Dragon Ball Z anime series, "Cha-La Head-Cha-La" (though the opening theme to the first game is the TV series' second opening, "We Gotta Power"). The North American title is a rearranged version of Tenkaichi Budokai (天下一武道会, Tenka'ichi Budōkai, roughly "Strongest Under the Heavens Martial Arts Tournament") (also known as the Tenka-ichi Budōkai), a reoccurring tournament featured in the manga and anime series. Despite the localized title, the series is not a continuation of the Dragon Ball Z: Budokai series. It's been speculated that Atari chose to market the games as part of the Budokai series in order to capitalize on its success.

While Sparking! features actual music from the Dragon Ball Z anime series (as well as the Dragon Ball and Dragon Ball GT anime) as composed by Shunsuke Kikuchi, the American release of the first game features recycled music from the Budokai series (composed in Japan by Kenji Yamamoto).

Gameplay[edit]

Super Saiyan Goku using the Kamehameha wave against Hirudegarn in Budokai Tenkaichi 3.

The games use a "behind-the-back" third-person camera perspective. Similar to the Super Famicom-released Dragon Ball Z: Legendary Super Warriors, special forms are treated as their own character, with varying stats, movesets and fighting styles.

In battle, players can build up their Ki gauge to execute various techniques such as the Power Guard, which reduces the damage characters take by 1/4. The Ki gauge can also be used to use moves referred to as Blast 2 skills. Every character has a unique set of Blast 2 skills that allow the character to use special moves such as Ki blasts and physical attacks. Characters also have a self-recharging numeric gauge called Blast Stock that allows players to use techniques called Blast 1 skills. Blast 1 skills usually have a supportive effect such as allowing characters to regain health or immobilize the enemy. Players can also power up into a mode called Max Power Mode normally by building up their Ki beyond full at the cost of Blast Stock bars. Max Power Mode makes the character that initiated it faster, stronger, and able to use moves that are exclusive to the mode. One of these moves is the Ultimate Blast which is usually the most powerful move a character has, though use of any Blast 2 skill or the Ultimate Blast immediately ends Max Power Mode.

Game modes[edit]

In the series' story mode (called "Z Battle Gate", "Dragon Adventure", and "Dragon History" in each console installment, respectively), the objective is to complete in battles based on moments from the original manga series, as well as anime-exclusive storylines (as seen in Dragon Ball GT, and several Dragon Ball Z films). The Dragon Balls can be acquired through story mode by destroying the environment in battle; however, the player can only keep the Dragon Ball they find if the battle is won. Each installment features several "what-if" battles and scenarios; for example, the Tenkaichi 1 story mode features modes where the player takes control of a villain and uses the character to defeat the hero, while the Tenkaichi 2 story mode has modes where Raditz and Zarbon essentially team up with the Z Fighters for one reason or another. Several levels of the Tenkaichi 2 story mode also feature cutscenes shown either before or after the fight of the level takes place. The Tenkaichi 3 story mode has cutscenes integrated into the battles themselves that are activated by hitting a certain button. These can be transformations, character changes, automatic attack use, or something as simple as a conversation.

The player can enter a World Tournament and try to win their way to the top. There are three levels of the basic tournament and a Cell Games mode. Since characters can fly, characters can leave the perimeter of the arena, but will be called for ringout if they touch the ground. There are no restrictions apart from the fact that the last match of the Cell Games mode is always against Perfect Cell. In Tenkaichi 1 winning the tournaments gave players a Z-Item prize while in Tenkaichi 2, players would receive money which in turn would be used on Z-Items. The World Tournament mode could be played with several entrants, but if there is more than one human player, no prize would be awarded. Other features in the game includes more combo attacks or character specific combos, the Blast Combos, and the Z Burst Dash. The additional combo attacks will be able to help chain in more attacks for more damage and longer combos. The Blast Combo is the normal combos however by inputting another button into the attack will allow the player to use a blast attack for extra damage. Depending on the moves of the character, the player might not be able to use this feat such as Videl or Hercule . The Z Burst Dash is much faster and more evasive version of the Dragon Dash. It allows the user to get behind the opponent at high speeds for either a strike or to avoid a blast 2 attack. The drawback to this technique is that it will rapidly drain the player of energy. The player can fuse characters to make a better character but some characters can not be fused. The player also has the opportunity to upgrade characters.

Titles[edit]

Release timeline
2005Budokai Tenkaichi
2006Budokai Tenkaichi 2
2007Budokai Tenkaichi 3
2008
2009
2010Tenkaichi Tag Team
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
2023
TBASparking! Zero

Main series[edit]

Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi (2005)[edit]

Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi, originally published as Dragon Ball Z: Sparking! (ドラゴンボールZ Sparking!, Doragon Bōru Zetto Supākingu!) in Japan, was released for PlayStation 2 in Japan on October 6, 2005; North America on October 18, 2005; and Europe on October 21, 2005.

The game features 64 playable characters and 10 stages. Players can fight across the Earth Wasteland, the Earth Rock Area, Planet Namek, the Islands, the City Ruins, the Hyperbolic Time Chamber, the Cell Games Arena, the Mountain Road, the World Tournament Arena, and Kami's Lookout.

Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 2 (2006)[edit]

Budokai Tenkaichi 2 cover art.

Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 2, originally published as Dragon Ball Z: Sparking! Neo (ドラゴンボールZ Sparking! NEO, Doragon Bōru Zetto Supākingu! Neo) in Japan, is the second installment in the series and first to be released on a Nintendo platform. It was released for PlayStation 2 in Japan on October 5, 2006; Europe on November 3, 2006; North America on November 7, 2006; and Australia on November 9, 2006. The Wii version was released in North America on November 19, 2006; in Japan on January 1, 2007; in Europe on March 30, 2007; and Australia on April 5, 2007.

Though originally confirmed as being a launch title in North America for the Wii,[3] some stores started selling the Wii version on November 15, 2006. An issue of V Jump listed January 2007 as the release date for the Japanese version of the Wii release. The game originally featured 100 characters in 136 forms and 16 stages, though the Japanese and PAL Wii versions came with five additional characters (Demon King Piccolo, Cyborg Tao, Appule, Frieza Soldier, and Pilaf Robot/combined form).

Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 3 (2007)[edit]

Budokai Tenkaichi 3 cover art.

Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 3, originally published as Dragon Ball Z: Sparking! Meteor (ドラゴンボールZ Sparking! METEOR, Doragon Bōru Zetto Supākingu! Meteo) in Japan, is the third installment of the Budokai Tenkaichi series and the last to be released on consoles.[4] The game was released for PlayStation 2 and Wii in Japan on October 4, 2007,[5] in North America on November 13, 2007,[6] and in Europe on November 9, 2007, for the PlayStation 2 (the Wii version was released in Japan on October 4, 2007, in North America on December 3, 2007, in Europe and Australia on February 15, 2008).[7]

Tenkaichi 3 features 98 characters in 161 forms, the largest roster in a fighting game at the time.[8] Ryo Mito once stated that the game would feature never-before-seen characters made exclusively for the game.[9]

Several new notable features include Battle Replay, which allows players to record fights and save them to an external memory card; night and day stages, which allows certain characters ability to transform; and Wii-exclusive online multiplayer capability,[4] the first game in the series to have such a feature. Players can fight against anyone from around the globe with a ranking system showing the player's current standing compared to anyone else who has played online. The PlayStation 2 version features the "Disc Fusion System", where inserting a Tenkaichi 1 or Tenkaichi 2 disc unlocks the "Ultimate Battle" or "Ultimate Battle Z" modes, featured in the respective games needed to unlock them.[4] The game also supports 480p for both the Wii and the PlayStation 2 versions.

Other features include more combo attacks or character specific combos, Blast Combos, and the Z Burst Dash. The additional combo attacks will be able to help chain in more attacks for more damage and longer combos. The Blast Combos are normal combos used in the game, however by inputting another button into the attack will allow the player to use a blast attack for extra damage. Depending on the moves of the character the player might not be able to use this feat such as Videl or Hercule. The Z Burst Dash is a much faster and more evasive version of the Dragon Dash. It allows the user to get behind the opponent at high speeds for either a strike or to avoid a blast 2 attack. The drawback to this technique is that it will rapidly drain the player of energy. Also to charge up all their energy, the player must have one blast one stock filled up to power up to the very limit.

Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero (TBA)[edit]

Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero is the fourth installment of the Budokai Tenkaichi series. It was announced through a teaser trailer at Dragon Ball Games Battle Hour 2023.[10] At the time of its announcement, the game's title had not been given; the name reveal would occur during a trailer shown at The Game Awards 2023.[11]

Sparking! Zero will release exclusively for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S, as well as PC (via Steam).[12] The game will feature both new and returning playable characters, forms, and stages, with the stages containing destructible elements. The new title is expected to include obscure characters from throughout the franchise, much like prior Budokai Tenkaichi entries.

Notably, the release of this game will mark the first time in Budokai Tenkaichi history where the Japanese name for the series, Sparking!, is used internationally.

Other games[edit]

Dragon Ball Z: Tenkaichi Tag Team (2010)[edit]

Dragon Ball Z: Tenkaichi Tag Team, originally published as Dragon Ball: Tag Versus (ドラゴンボール タッグバーサス, Doragon Bōru Taggu Bāsasu) in Japan, was originally the last traditional game in the Budokai Tenkaichi series to retain its native gameplay, and the only installment to be released on a handheld console. The game was published by Bandai Namco and released in August 2010 for PlayStation Portable.

As the title suggests, the game focuses on two on two fights. "Dragon Walker" is the main story mode, following the events of the manga and anime series. Other modes include "Battle 100", where the player fights many teams; and "Free Battle", where the player can fight any team of their choice. Other features include the ability to perform fusions, and upgrade characters using "D-POINTS", the game's main currency.[13]

Characters[edit]

Name Budokai Tenkaichi Budokai Tenkaichi 2 Budokai Tenkaichi 3 Tenkaichi Tag Team Sparking! Zero Playable Transformations
Android #8 Red XN Red XN Green tickY Red XN Question?
Android #13 Red XN Green tickY Green tickY Red XN Question?
  • Base (BT2, BT3)
  • Super (BT2, BT3)
Android #16 Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Question?
Android #17 Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY
Android #18 Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY
Android #19 Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Question?
Android #20 Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Question?
Appule Red XN Green tickY Green tickY Red XN Question?
Arale Red XN Red XN Green tickY Red XN Question?
Babidi Red XN Red XN Green tickY Red XN Question?
Baby Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Red XN Question?
  • Base (BT2, BT3)
  • Super Baby 1 (BT2, BT3)
  • Super Baby 2 (BT, BT2, BT3)
  • Golden Great Ape (BT2, BT3)
Bardock Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Question?
  • Base (BT, BT2, BT3, TTT)
  • Great Ape (BT2, BT3)
Beerus Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Green tickY
Bergamo Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Green tickY
Bojack Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Red XN Question?
  • Base (BT2, BT3)
  • Transformed (BT, BT2, BT3)
Broly Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY
  • Base (BT2, BT3, SZ)
  • Super Saiyan (BT2, BT3)
  • Legendary Super Saiyan (BT, BT2, BT3, TTT, SZ)
Burter Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY
Captain Ginyu Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Question?
Cell Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY
  • Imperfect Form (BT, BT2, BT3, TTT)
  • Semi-Perfect Form (BT, BT2, BT3, TTT)
  • Perfect Form (BT, BT2, BT3, TTT, SZ)
  • Super Perfect Form (BT, BT2, BT3, TTT)
Cell Jr Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Question?
Chi-Chi (Kid) Red XN Red XN Green tickY Red XN Question?
Chiaotzu Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Question?
Cooler Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Red XN Question?
  • Fourth Form (BT2, BT3)
  • Final Form (BT, BT2, BT3)
  • Meta Cooler (BT2, BT3)
Cui Red XN Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Question?
Dabura Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Question?
Devilman Red XN Red XN Green tickY Red XN Question?
Dodoria Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Question?
Dr Wheelo Red XN Red XN Green tickY Red XN Question?
Dyspo Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Green tickY
Fasha Red XN Red XN Green tickY Red XN Question?
  • Base (BT3)
  • Great Ape (BT3)
Frieza Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY
  • First Form (BT, BT2, BT3, TTT)
  • Second Form (BT, BT2, BT3, TTT)
  • Third Form (BT, BT2, BT3, TTT)
  • Final Form (BT, BT2, BT3, TTT, SZ)
  • 100% Full Power (BT, BT2, BT3, TTT)
  • Mecha Frieza (BT, BT2, BT3)
Frieza Soldier Red XN Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Question?
Garlic Jr Red XN Green tickY Green tickY Red XN Question?
  • Base (BT2, BT3)
  • Transformed (BT2, BT3)
General Blue Red XN Red XN Green tickY Red XN Question?
Gogeta Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Question?
  • Super Saiyan (BT, BT2, BT3, TTT)
  • Super Saiyan 4 (BT, BT2, BT3)
Gohan (Kid) Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Question?
Gohan (Teen) Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Question?
  • Base (BT, BT2, BT3, TTT)
  • Super Saiyan (BT, BT2, BT3, TTT)
  • Super Saiyan 2 (BT, BT2, BT3, TTT)
Gohan (Adult) Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY
  • Base (BT, BT2, BT3, TTT, SZ)
  • Super Saiyan (BT, BT2, BT3, TTT)
  • Super Saiyan 2 (BT, BT2, BT3, TTT)
  • Potential Unleashed (BT, BT2, BT3, TTT)
  • Great Saiyaman (BT, BT2, BT3)
Gohan (Future) Red XN Red XN Green tickY Red XN Green tickY
  • Base (BT3, SZ)
  • Super Saiyan (BT3, SZ)
Goku (Kid) Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Red XN Question?
  • Base (BT, BT2, BT3)
  • Great Ape (BT, BT2, BT3)
Goku Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY
  • Base (BT, BT2, BT3, TTT, SZ)
  • Super Saiyan (BT, BT2, BT3, TTT, SZ)
  • Super Saiyan 2 (BT, BT2, BT3, TTT, SZ)
  • Super Saiyan 3 (BT, BT2, BT3, TTT, SZ)
  • Super Saiyan 4 (BT, BT2, BT3)
  • Super Saiyan God (SZ)
  • Super Saiyan God Super Saiyan (SZ)
Goku (GT) Red XN Red XN Green tickY Red XN Question?
  • Base (BT3)
  • Super Saiyan (BT3)
  • Super Saiyan 3 (BT3)
  • Super Saiyan 4 (BT, BT2, BT3)
Goten Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Question?
  • Base (BT, BT2, BT3, TTT)
  • Super Saiyan (BT, BT2, BT3, TTT)
Gotenks Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Question?
  • Base (BT, BT2, BT3)
  • Super Saiyan (BT, BT2, BT3, TTT)
  • Super Saiyan 3 (BT, BT2, BT3, TTT)
Grandpa Gohan Red XN Green tickY Green tickY Red XN Question?
Great Ape Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Red XN Question?
Guldo Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Question?
Hercule Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY
Hirudegarn Red XN Green tickY Green tickY Red XN Question?
Hit Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Green tickY
Janemba Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Red XN Question?
  • Base (BT2, BT3)
  • Super (BT, BT2, BT3)
Jeice Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY
Jiren Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Green tickY
Kakunsa Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Green tickY
Kale Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Green tickY
Kibitokai Red XN Green tickY Green tickY Red XN Question?
Kid Buu Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Question?
King Cold Red XN Red XN Green tickY Red XN Question?
King Piccolo Red XN Green tickY Green tickY Red XN Question?
King Vegeta Red XN Red XN Green tickY Red XN Question?
  • Base (BT3)
  • Great Ape (BT3)
Krillin Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY
Lord Slug Red XN Green tickY Green tickY Red XN Question?
  • Base (BT2, BT3)
  • Giant Form (BT2, BT3)
Majin Buu Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY
  • Fat Buu (BT, BT2, BT3, TTT, SZ)
  • Pure Evil (BT, BT2, BT3)
Master Roshi Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Red XN Green tickY
  • Base (BT, BT2, BT3)
  • Max Power (BT2, BT3, SZ)
Mercenary Tao Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Red XN Question?
  • Base (BT, BT2, BT3)
  • Cyborg (BT2, BT3)
Nail Red XN Red XN Green tickY Red XN Question?
Nam Red XN Red XN Green tickY Red XN Question?
Nappa Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY
  • Base (BT, BT2, BT3, TTT, SZ)
  • Great Ape (BT2, BT3)
Nuova Shenron Red XN Red XN Green tickY Red XN Question?
Syn Shenron Red XN Green tickY Green tickY Red XN Question?
  • Base (BT2, BT3)
  • Omega Shenron (BT2, BT3)
Pan Red XN Green tickY Green tickY Red XN Question?
Piccolo Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY
Pikkon Red XN Green tickY Green tickY Red XN Question?
Pilaf Machine Red XN Green tickY Green tickY Red XN Question?
  • Base (BT2, BT3)
  • Combined (BT2, BT3)
Raditz Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Question?
  • Base (BT, BT2, BT3, TTT)
  • Great Ape (BT2, BT3)
Recoome Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Question?
Saibaman Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Question?
Salza Red XN Green tickY Green tickY Red XN Question?
Spopovitch Red XN Red XN Green tickY Red XN Question?
Super 17 Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Red XN Question?
Super Buu Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Question?
  • Base (BT, BT2, BT3, TTT)
  • Gotenks Absorbed (BT, BT2, BT3)
  • Gohan Absorbed (BT, BT2, BT3, TTT)
Supreme Kai Red XN Green tickY Green tickY Red XN Question?
Tambourine Red XN Red XN Green tickY Red XN Question?
Tapion Red XN Green tickY Green tickY Red XN Question?
Tien Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY
Top Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Green tickY
Trunks (Kid) Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Question?
  • Base (BT, BT2, BT3, TTT)
  • Super Saiyan (BT, BT2, BT3, TTT)
Trunks (Future) Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY
  • Base (BT, BT2, BT3, TTT)
  • Super Saiyan (BT, BT2, BT3, TTT, SZ)
  • Super Saiyan Third Grade (BT, BT2, BT3, SZ)
Trunks (Sword) Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY
  • Base (BT, BT2, BT3, TTT, SZ)
  • Super Saiyan (BT, BT2, BT3, TTT, SZ)
Turles Red XN Green tickY Green tickY Red XN Question?
  • Base (BT2, BT3)
  • Transformed (BT2, BT3)
Uub Red XN Green tickY Green tickY Red XN Question?
  • Base (BT2, BT3)
  • Majuub (BT2, BT3)
Vegeta Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY
  • Base (BT, BT2, BT3, TTT, SZ)
  • Super Saiyan (BT, BT2, BT3, TTT, SZ)
  • Super Saiyan Second Grade (BT, BT2, BT3, SZ)
  • Super Saiyan 2 (BT, BT2, BT3, TTT, SZ)
  • Super Saiyan 4 (BT, BT2, BT3)
  • Super Saiyan God (SZ)
  • Super Saiyan God Super Saiyan (SZ)
Vegeta (Scouter) Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY
  • Base (BT, BT2, BT3, TTT, SZ)
  • Great Ape (BT, BT2, BT3, SZ)
Vegeta (Majin) Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY
Vegito Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Question?
  • Base (BT, BT2, BT3)
  • Super Saiyan (BT, BT2, BT3, TTT)
Videl Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY
  • Base (BT, BT2, BT3, TTT, SZ)
  • Great Saiyaman 2 (BT2, BT3)
Whis Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Green tickY
Yajirobe Red XN Green tickY Green tickY Red XN Question?
Yamcha Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY
Zangya Red XN Green tickY Green tickY Red XN Question?
Zarbon Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Question?
  • Base (BT, BT2, BT3, TTT)
  • Transformed (BT, BT2, BT3, TTT)

Reception[edit]

Budokai Tenkaichi[edit]

Budokai Tenkaichi received "average" reviews according to the review aggregation website Metacritic.[14]

Budokai Tenkaichi 2[edit]

Budokai Tenkaichi 2 received "average" reviews on both platforms according to Metacritic.[39][40] The PS2 version of the game received the 'Best Fighting Game of the Year' award from X-Play.[citation needed] Mark Bozon of IGN said of the controls, "The sheer speed and complexity of the controls may turn some people off, but the general combat will eventually come down to two buttons, making the game amazingly easy to learn, but nearly impossible to fully master."[36] Nintendo Power gave the Wii version a score of 10 for "Dragon Ball Z fans", and 5.5 for "everyone else", rounding out the overall score to 7.5 out of 10.[37]

Budokai Tenkaichi 3[edit]

Budokai Tenkaichi 3 received "average" reviews on both platforms according to Metacritic.[53][54] Japanese videogame magazine Famitsu gave the PS2 version a score of 32 out of 40, while the Wii version received 33 out of 40.[43] IGN awarded both versions of Tenkaichi 3 positively, with their only complaints being the comparatively underwhelming story mode (in comparison to Tenkaichi 2), gimmicky Disc Fusion, and the lagging Wi-Fi.[49]

Tenkaichi Tag Team[edit]

It has a score of 63% on Metacritic.[55] GameSpot awarded it a score of 6.0 out of 10, saying "Dragon Ball Z: Tenkaichi Tag Team is just another DBZ fighting game, and makes little effort to distinguish itself from its predecessors."[56]

Notes[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Sinclair, Brendan (July 2, 2009). "Namco Bandai collects Dragon Ball rights". GameSpot. Archived from the original on August 21, 2009. Retrieved March 5, 2011.
  2. ^ @db_eventpj_jp (March 5, 2023). "「ドラゴンボール Sparking!」シリーズ 最新作情報が解禁! 映像はコチラから↓ #ドラゴンボール #バトルアワー" ["Dragon Ball Sparking!" series latest information has been lifted!] (Tweet) (in Japanese). Archived from the original on March 6, 2023. Retrieved 2023-03-05 – via Twitter.
  3. ^ Hatfield, Daemon (November 3, 2006). "Dragon Ball Z Ready for Wii". Archived from the original on January 22, 2016. Retrieved December 30, 2016.
  4. ^ a b c Roper, Chris (July 12, 2007). "E3 2007: Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 3 Hands-on". IGN. Archived from the original on October 12, 2007. Retrieved October 7, 2007.
  5. ^ Official Japanese Budokai Tenkaichi 3 trailer Archived October 7, 2007, at the Wayback Machine (Windows Media Player required).
  6. ^ "Who's Making Games For Nintendo Systems? Everyone!". Nintendo. October 11, 2007. Archived from the original on April 15, 2009. Retrieved December 15, 2009.
  7. ^ "Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 3 (Wii)". Archived from the original on April 12, 2012. Retrieved December 30, 2016.
  8. ^ "E3 2007 Trailer". IGN. July 9, 2007. Archived from the original on January 10, 2011. Retrieved March 5, 2011.
  9. ^ Detwiler, Ray (August 27, 2007). "Exclusive Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 3 Interview". Wii-volution. Archived from the original on September 28, 2007. Retrieved October 7, 2007.
  10. ^ [DBGBH2023 Day2] DRAGON BALL Games Battle Hour 2023, retrieved 2023-12-09
  11. ^ THE GAME AWARDS 2023: Official 4K Livestream (Monster Hunter, Blade, Baldur's Gate GOTY), retrieved 2023-12-09
  12. ^ DRAGON BALL: Sparking! ZERO
  13. ^ Abdulsalam, Olayanju (2021). Dragon Ball Budokai tenkaichi. Nigeria: Olayanju Abdulsalam.
  14. ^ a b "Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi for PlayStation 2 Reviews". Metacritic. Archived from the original on July 26, 2014. Retrieved June 18, 2014.
  15. ^ Coxall, Martin (November 14, 2005). "Dragonball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi". Eurogamer. Archived from the original on January 22, 2016. Retrieved June 18, 2014.
  16. ^ Maru, Strafe (October 18, 2005). "Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi Review for PS2 on GamePro.com". GamePro. Archived from the original on October 24, 2005. Retrieved June 18, 2014.
  17. ^ Davis, Ryan (October 24, 2005). "Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi Review". GameSpot. Archived from the original on August 26, 2015. Retrieved June 18, 2014.
  18. ^ Vasconcellos, Eduardo (November 21, 2005). "GameSpy: Dragon Ball Z Budokai Tenkaichi". GameSpy. Archived from the original on May 10, 2015. Retrieved June 18, 2014.
  19. ^ Knutson, Michael (November 16, 2005). "Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi Review - PlayStation 2". GameZone. Archived from the original on October 6, 2008. Retrieved June 18, 2014.
  20. ^ Dunham, Jeremy (October 13, 2005). "Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi". IGN. Archived from the original on May 20, 2014. Retrieved June 18, 2014.
  21. ^ "Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi". Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine. January 2006. p. 92.
  22. ^ Keller, Matt (October 22, 2005). "Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi Review". PALGN. Archived from the original on October 9, 2009. Retrieved July 5, 2014.
  23. ^ VideoGamer.com staff (November 25, 2005). "Dragon Ball Z: BT Review". VideoGamer.com. Archived from the original on September 12, 2015. Retrieved June 18, 2014.
  24. ^ D'Aprile, Jason (January 16, 2006). "Dragon Ball Z Budokai: Tenkaichi [sic] Review". X-Play. Archived from the original on February 21, 2006. Retrieved June 18, 2014.
  25. ^ EGM staff (December 2006). "Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 2 (Wii)". Electronic Gaming Monthly. No. 210. p. 118.
  26. ^ Albiges, Luke (January 26, 2007). "Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 2 (PS2)". Eurogamer. Archived from the original on December 16, 2012. Retrieved June 19, 2014.
  27. ^ Juba, Joe (February 2007). "Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 2 (Wii)". Game Informer. No. 166. Archived from the original on February 12, 2008. Retrieved June 19, 2014.
  28. ^ Burner, Rice (December 2006). "Review: Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 2 (Wii)". GamePro. p. 113. Archived from the original on December 6, 2006. Retrieved June 19, 2014.
  29. ^ Parker, Tom (November 29, 2006). "Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 2 Review (PS2)". Game Revolution. Archived from the original on September 24, 2015. Retrieved June 19, 2014.
  30. ^ a b Davis, Ryan (December 5, 2006). "Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 2 Review". GameSpot. Archived from the original on May 9, 2015. Retrieved June 19, 2014.
  31. ^ Vasconcellos, Eduardo (November 22, 2006). "GameSpy: Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 2 (PS2)". GameSpy. Archived from the original on April 19, 2014. Retrieved June 19, 2014.
  32. ^ Joynt, Patrick (November 30, 2006). "GameSpy: Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 2 (Wii)". GameSpy. Archived from the original on May 10, 2015. Retrieved June 19, 2014.
  33. ^ "Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 2 Review (Wii)". GameTrailers. November 28, 2006. Archived from the original on December 3, 2007. Retrieved August 27, 2016.
  34. ^ Bedigian, Louis (November 12, 2006). "Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 2 - PS2 - Review". GameZone. Archived from the original on October 5, 2008. Retrieved June 19, 2014.
  35. ^ Bedigian, Louis (December 3, 2006). "Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 2 - WII - Review". GameZone. Archived from the original on October 6, 2008. Retrieved June 19, 2014.
  36. ^ a b c Bozon, Mark (November 21, 2006). "Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 2". IGN. Archived from the original on May 28, 2014. Retrieved June 19, 2014.
  37. ^ a b "Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 2". Nintendo Power. Vol. 211. January 2007. p. 112.
  38. ^ "Review: Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 2". PSM. December 25, 2006. p. 82.
  39. ^ a b "Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 2 for PlayStation 2 Reviews". Metacritic. Archived from the original on March 2, 2015. Retrieved June 19, 2014.
  40. ^ a b "Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 2 for Wii Reviews". Metacritic. Archived from the original on January 5, 2016. Retrieved June 19, 2014.
  41. ^ Lyon, James (November 24, 2007). "PS2 Roundup (Page 2)". Eurogamer. Archived from the original on October 2, 2015. Retrieved June 19, 2014.
  42. ^ Gibson, Ellie (April 17, 2008). "Wii Roundup (Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 3)". Eurogamer. Archived from the original on February 3, 2014. Retrieved June 19, 2014.
  43. ^ a b c "The Magic Box: International Videogame News". October 11, 2007. Archived from the original on October 11, 2007. Retrieved December 30, 2016.
  44. ^ Constantino, Jesse (January 8, 2008). "Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 3 Review (PS2)". Game Revolution. Archived from the original on September 6, 2015. Retrieved June 19, 2014.
  45. ^ a b Theobald, Phil (November 19, 2007). "GameSpy: Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 3". GameSpy. Archived from the original on October 10, 2013. Retrieved June 19, 2014.
  46. ^ "Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 3 Review (Wii)". GameTrailers. February 8, 2008. Archived from the original on September 16, 2010. Retrieved August 27, 2016.
  47. ^ Bedigian, Louis (December 20, 2007). "Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 3 - PS2 - Review". GameZone. Archived from the original on October 4, 2008. Retrieved June 19, 2014.
  48. ^ Knutson, Michael (December 13, 2007). "Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 3 - WII - Review". GameZone. Archived from the original on October 6, 2008. Retrieved June 19, 2014.
  49. ^ a b c Bozon, Mark (December 11, 2007). "Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 3 Review". IGN. Archived from the original on May 28, 2014. Retrieved June 19, 2014.
  50. ^ "Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 3 Review". Official Nintendo Magazine: 78. February 2008. Archived from the original on October 7, 2014. Retrieved November 12, 2014.
  51. ^ "Review: Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 3". PlayStation: The Official Magazine. December 25, 2007. p. 82.
  52. ^ Yin-Poole, Wesley (February 25, 2008). "Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 3 Review for Wii". VideoGamer.com. Archived from the original on September 10, 2015. Retrieved June 20, 2014.
  53. ^ a b "Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 3 for PlayStation 2 Reviews". Metacritic. Archived from the original on August 3, 2014. Retrieved June 19, 2014.
  54. ^ a b "Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 3 for Wii Reviews". Metacritic. Archived from the original on August 3, 2014. Retrieved June 19, 2014.
  55. ^ "Dragon Ball Z: Tenkaichi Tag Team". Metacritic. Archived from the original on January 5, 2017. Retrieved December 30, 2016.
  56. ^ "Dragon Ball Z: Tenkaichi Tag Team Review". Archived from the original on May 6, 2016. Retrieved December 30, 2016.

External links[edit]