Review:
Dragonball Z: Budokai

Platform: PS2
Developed by: Infogrames, FUNimation Productions, Ltd.
ESRB Rating: Teen
Replay Value: High
My Rating: 8/10

Overview

Dragonball Z: Budokai is the only DBZ game for PS2.. so far. When I first bought this game, I couldn't put it down. Play through the story mode and follow the Anime series all the way from the Saiyan Saga, to the Cell games, or if think you're good enough at it, play the World Tournament mode for cash prizes that you can use in Mr. Popo's shop, to buy special skill capsules that you may use to customize your own DBZ character that you can use in the World Tournament or to play against your friends own customized DBZ character. Along side with that, There is a total of 23 playable characters in the game, all the way from Goku, to Frieza, to the Great Sayiaman!

Play modes

Story: Play through the Anime series that starts off with the battle against Raditz, and follows all the way up to the amazing final battle with Perfect Cell.. and you playing as Super Saiyan Level 2 Gohan! As you play through, you get to unlock secret characters as well as earn special skill capsules, which I will talk about later. The story mode stuck pretty close to the actual series, but had no actual music from the show, except the original DBZ opening song. Versus: Play against a friend or against the computer in one of 9 different stages, such as the Cell Games Arena, or the Hyperbolic Time Chamber. World Tournament: Select one of three difficulties, Novice, Adept or Advanced. In novice, you must win three matches in a row, in Adept its four battles, and in Advanced its 5 battles. Each setting gives you different amounts of money, the harder the round, the bigger the prize. Practice: Is exactly what it says, pick you favorite character and beat the computer to death for as long as you want. You may use custom characters in this mode, and if you wish, you can have the computer, block, dodge, move around and even attack. You are also allowed to switch the difficulty of the computer and of course, you get whatever health you lose, right back.

Edit Skills

Here is my favorite part in Budokai, creating your own DBZ character. Each character has their own special moves that you can equip them with. You must earn these skills in either Story mode or through buying them with your Zennie winnings from the World Tournament. Mr. Popo gives you 4 choices, a red capsule that will contain a random energy attack (such as Kamehameha) a blue capsule that contains physical attacks (such as throws or something like that), a green capsule that contains a support power (That could boost guard power, or revive you after your life runs out, A.K.A. Senzu Bean), or a recommended capsule, that will name one skill that you can buy, rather then trying your luck with the other three choices.

What do I think?

Well, first off, it's a great game so I gave it 8 out of 10. Why? Well sure the game play is sweet and the graphics are top notch, but some flaws make this game seem imperfect. Mostly all of the attacks look somewhat the same in some respect. For example, Goku's Dragonthrow and Cell's Lasso, both involves the attacker flinging the other one around their head by one leg, before slamming them to the ground. But that to me alone, was a big deal since there really was no difference between moves, except for the very special moves such as Spirit Bomb, Big Bang, Special Beam Cannon and Hell Flash. I have done close to everything there is to do, and I still love playing it so bottom line, I think its an awesome game that no DBZ fan should be without. And that's all for now!