10 February 2008
Ferry

Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 3 video review

Namco Bandai Games & Spike’s Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 3 (released on PS2 and Wii in the USA on December 3, 2008, and in Europe on February 15, 2008) delivers an extreme 3D fighting experience, improving upon last year’s game with over 150 playable characters, enhanced fighting techniques, beautifully refined effects and shading techniques, making each character’s effects more realistic, and over 20 battle stages. In addition, an improved control system for the Wii will allow players to easily mimic signature moves and execute devastating Saiyan energy attacks as they are performed in the Dragon Ball Z animated series. In addition to the unprecedented number of characters and improved Wii control system, the environments have also been enhanced to feature day and night stages. The power of the moon in the night stages gives players additional ways to transform their characters and lets fans recreate some of their favorite memories from the show.

Will this DBZ title stand and fight, or will it run and hide? Watch this Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 3 video review:

To quote the video review: “Atari has struggled as of late, but at least they still have control of the cash cow that is Dragon Ball Z. It’s amazing to think that the animated series ended a decade ago, and people are still itching to snap up anything related to Akira Toriyama’s overly-muscular flying and fighting characters. These Budokai games have become a yearly phenomenon, and much like yearly updates to any game, each subsequent sequel brings less and less new content to the table.

Dragon Ball Z Budokai Tenkaichi 3 is candy, and it feels like the developers know it. This isn’t a deep fighting game, and it isn’t meant to be. It’s fan service at its most basic level. And while the Wii controls are a fun diversion at first, the inclusion of classic and GameCube controller support makes the game at least playable, if not spectacular.”

Story: 7.8
Design: 7.2
Gameplay: 6.9
Presentation: 8.5
Overall: 7.6