Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi

Written by Chris Reiter  on October 12, 2005

Final Glimpse: To Americans, they're fireballs. But to Japan, the dragon's testicles are just plain Dragon BallZ.

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There are so many things I want to say about Dragon Ball Z that I just can't. I mean that I won't. These thoughts aren't going to be fleshed out here, because then I'd come off as a biased prick. It's not a favorable image to start out an article that's not even supposed to be analyzing the series as it is -- even if everyone in small or large doses has bias hidden in them just waiting to come out at the opportune moment. When it does, it'll hit full blast. Then you better believe the Ugly Monster is about to play. However, there is viable reason as to why I feel a strong urge to shout from on top of a mountain that Dragon Ball Z sucks; that I think people are stupid if they continue watching and/or buying into the products. It's like Pokщmon, a simple addiction that won't leave once you become deeply involved. How anyone does find liking into these terrible anime cartoons is the question I'd like answered. Unlike all of you Dragon Ball Z fans who are expecting another glowing preview for the umpteenth title in the franchise though, I'll just say that I am not a Dragon Ball Z fan. Let's just leave it at that.
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Fans of the Dragon Ball Z: Budokai series are probably used to having things a certain way. Things like receiving only portions of the show's storyline to fill in through the game's progression and battles that are positioned in 3D, albeit from a 2D-like view. With another Dragon Ball Z fighting title entering the Budokai ring from Atari, developer Spike's first crack at the franchise is looking to give fans notable improvements over such trifles. For one, Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi will cover the entire saga in its story mode, starting from when Raditz arrives on Earth through to the finale where Goku and Buu butt heads. Budokai Tenkaichi will also now implement a blown-open 3D view for its combative engagements. Where in previous Budokai games the perspectives of fights were at times restricted to 2D-captured 3D imagery, this one will let you actually roam free using a third-person camera angle without any constriction to what you can see or where you can go at all times.
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Speaking of which, manageable flight maneuverability is to be another new option. Before, scripted flight sequences would make it seem as if you were hovering from one section to another. Now, Budokai Tenkaichi will lose the puppet strings and let you do all the work. Although freedom is going to reign supreme through spacious battle landscapes you can freely hover around, the actual battle system of the game will remain basically unchanged from previous Budokai games. The standard kick, punch, and Ki options (special attacks) will all be here. There's also the ability to endow characters with power points in mid-attack that'll allow them to unleash much stronger aggressions onto foes. Probably the biggest attraction fans will want to get excited for is that Budokai Tenkaichi will feature the largest array of combatants in any Dragon Ball Z game ever. More than 60 selectable characters will be accounted for, ranging from popular characters like Goku, Trunks and Gohan, to each member of the Ginyu Force. This'll certainly impress Dragon Ball Z fans who want to expand their personable horizons far beyond any fighting game ever has done.
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Going for that "ultimate" Dragon Ball Z feel, what Spike is doing to ideally lift the Budokai series into the air from its once critically disappointing history, they're basing the game's visual style now in tune with that of the show. Slapping on a coat of new cel-shading polish, Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi will dispose of any non-cartoon-like guises it's taken on before. Bouts will be laid out in free-roaming levels placed in mountainous regions and even under the sea. Down there it's better, down where it's wetter, under the sea! Sorry, I had to. With the ability to actually go anywhere in the level you want to, that also comes with the added dimension of destruction. Yes, you can smash your Saiyan or their Saiyan smack into the side of a craggy ridge to forcibly dent its mass. You know what I'm Saiyan? Penciled-in characters that will faithfully resemble their anime-counterparts with zoom lines, distinct animations, and flashy colors additionally are all looking to ante up Budokai Tenkaichi for the most graphically pleasing title in the series yet.