Dragon Ball Z: Budokai 3

 PlayStation 2
  • Publisher: Atari
  • Release Date: Nov 16, 2004
User Score
8.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 242 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 212 out of 242
  2. Mixed: 19 out of 242
  3. Negative: 11 out of 242
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  1. LockeA.
    Oct 22, 2004
    10
    Es lo mejor jamas creao.
  2. ChazS.
    Jan 5, 2005
    10
    This is the best game in the world.
  3. JordanT.
    May 13, 2005
    10
    This is the most beautiful game of all time!!!! Well, at least the best Dragonball Z game of all time. And screw all of you who thinks this game is pathetic and mediocre!!!!
  4. TinasheM.
    Nov 7, 2004
    10
    The best game in the whole world.
  5. JasonK.
    Nov 8, 2004
    10
    Are you able to turn ssj4 goku and ssj4vegeta on dragonballz budokai3, O yeah what is that defense thang?do you have to press the same button as the oppent or what im kinda confussed about that but jux hitt me up and tell me about it iight /PEACE (PeaNutt).
  6. ScottG.
    Nov 9, 2004
    10
    The sayien overdrive fighting sytem is so cool you can make an a exsplosion and you can see it exsplode on the earth and the bigger the exsplosion the bigger the crater.
  7. PedroG.
    Dec 7, 2004
    10
    The best DB ever made cool moves Son goku SSJ4 very nice.
  8. MonkeyL.
    Dec 10, 2005
    10
    Beautiful presentation.
  9. NightmareVegetaKingVegeta
    Aug 3, 2005
    10
    This is the best Part of Budokai, This is Budokai3. This is the best of the best, Becasue there are many characters, many moves, New fighting system. And More AND MORE. If you really would like to play an excellent game then you should play this great game.........I give 10 becasue it's really 10 because this is the Best One For Ever..... See Yeah......Bye
  10. CurtisS.
    Sep 13, 2005
    10
    The game was the sh.t and is the coolest.
  11. DaraS.
    Nov 20, 2004
    10
    It has incredible tatics and uniqe characters.
  12. WilliamK.
    Dec 17, 2004
    10
    This game is awesome. As a massive fan of the series, I love it, but it expanded so much on the previous 2, I couldn't believe it. People who say this has no depth aren't playing it right. It has stun moves, juggle combos and cancel moves, as well as the teleport ability. Dragon Rush is frustrating though as it is too hit and miss, but with skill, you will never be hit by it This game is awesome. As a massive fan of the series, I love it, but it expanded so much on the previous 2, I couldn't believe it. People who say this has no depth aren't playing it right. It has stun moves, juggle combos and cancel moves, as well as the teleport ability. Dragon Rush is frustrating though as it is too hit and miss, but with skill, you will never be hit by it anyway. I can't help but do the fusion dance while performing the SS4 Gogeta fusion, and if anyone cares, I take Goku's position, from the right.… Expand
  13. SamV.
    Dec 2, 2004
    10
    It's the best DBZ game.but i think that it should have every character from DB, DBZ, and DBGT.
  14. OmarS.
    Aug 29, 2005
    10
    I dont care what those asses think of this game. this is the best dragonballz game yet. doa is just crap comepare to this game you know well see ya.
  15. JoeyR.
    Dec 24, 2004
    10
    This is a great game.I mean look at the difference between the first budki and the third budki.In story mode there are a lot more levels.But one of my favorite things are the wider character selection.You can be people that dont show up alot in the series such as Bardock, Broly and characters that dont really fight alot either like Krillian, Tein,and even cooler.But one thing I would likeThis is a great game.I mean look at the difference between the first budki and the third budki.In story mode there are a lot more levels.But one of my favorite things are the wider character selection.You can be people that dont show up alot in the series such as Bardock, Broly and characters that dont really fight alot either like Krillian, Tein,and even cooler.But one thing I would like to see in budki four If funamation makes one. Is create your own character and choose what they look like and hair color stuff like that and choose what race they are.But would be cool is if you chose sayin you could do sayin missions and destroy planets and work your way to a general in the sayin army.It would also be cool if you could walk around a planet like the grand theft auto series.this game is awesome.… Expand
  16. TheOnlineGamer
    Sep 15, 2013
    10
    If you're a Dragon Ball Z fan, you need to do two things:

    1. Watch the new DBZ Anime movie Battle of Gods (Cause it's freaking amazing!) 2. PLAY THIS EPIC BEAST OF A GAME! Seriously, I've never had more fun playing a fighting game than I've had with Budokai 3. Everything's perfect, there's not a single thing that doesn't resemble the legendary DBZ. All we need now is a Ultimate    If you're a Dragon Ball Z fan, you need to do two things:

    1. Watch the new DBZ Anime movie Battle of Gods (Cause it's freaking amazing!)
    2. PLAY THIS EPIC BEAST OF A GAME!

    Seriously, I've never had more fun playing a fighting game than I've had with Budokai 3. Everything's perfect, there's not a single thing that doesn't resemble the legendary DBZ. All we need now is a Ultimate Budokai game with Battle of Gods Kami to Kami Characters!    … Expand
  17. Androu
    Jan 29, 2014
    10
    The budokai and the tenkaichi series made my childhood alongside with the anime they are based one. One of the greatest fighting games, if you really are a dbz fan. Go get it!
  18. SaiyanZ
    May 10, 2012
    10
    Let me start off by saying that Dragon Ball is my favorite anime/manga, and for that matter fictitious series of all time. So when a new DBZ game is announced you can be sure I would check it out. And as expected, this doesn't disappoint. The improved setups into juggles (the main meat of the combos) coupled with canceling charged attacks (non-Capsule and Capsule alike) unlocks a myriad ofLet me start off by saying that Dragon Ball is my favorite anime/manga, and for that matter fictitious series of all time. So when a new DBZ game is announced you can be sure I would check it out. And as expected, this doesn't disappoint. The improved setups into juggles (the main meat of the combos) coupled with canceling charged attacks (non-Capsule and Capsule alike) unlocks a myriad of ways to keep you opponent of the ground. The ability to sway and teleport for defensive purposes is also a nice introduction and keeps the battle fast-paced and entertaining. The new abilities of Dragon Rush and Hyper Mode are easy to use and very pleasing to the eye and awesome. The visuals when doling out an Ultimate or a Dragon Rush is nothing short of amazing. All in all, gameplay is vastly improved. Story Mode this time, known as Dragon Universe, is different from the previous 2 entries, in that you follow a character's "life" so to speak throughout their entire journey in Dragon Ball Z. You choose a character from the start and fight all the battles he fought during Z while traversing the Dragon Ball world (looking for Zeni, Capsules, and POI's). The burst flying during world travel is especially cool (in particular, when you do Vegeta's DU and are in control of Majin Vegeta). However, the fights are not sequential since you only control one character. If I choose Goku, and win my fight with Captain Ginyu, I am jumping straight to Goku's next fight against Frieza. I wouldn't have the opportunity to fight Frieza as either Vegeta, Piccolo, Krillin or Gohan. Their fights are accessible in their respective DU's though. As you play through the DU, you gain EXP points to spend on attributes like health, ki, special arts etc. all which increase. For each EXP, you go one level up; this continues until Lvl 99. Other than that, the standard World Tournament and Vs. modes return to occupy one. All in all, one of my favorite games ever.… Expand
  19. LinkingFatez
    Jul 5, 2012
    10
    This game was the best game for fighting ever! I love it and i've played it so much that the disk is too scratched up now lol so now I gotta buy another one! =D
  20. Jagox2000
    Mar 15, 2020
    10
    Melhor dragon ball ja feito ate hj, muito bom, combate frenetico com muita variedade
  21. Kk-
    May 4, 2022
    10
    The best Dragon Ball game ever made. I keep coming back to it year after year. What a great series.
  22. LeonardoRox
    Mar 6, 2023
    10
    Melhor jogo feito série dragon ball,pena que a história acaba na parte Majin Boo
  23. VanCan72
    Apr 6, 2021
    10
    Easily my favourite DBZ game ever and it is packed to the gills with content and a great roster.
  24. Greenboi042
    Jun 23, 2022
    10
    Definitely the best game I’ve ever played the story is amazing, so many unlockables, there’s more than one story mode to play, once you finish the story mode there’s tornoments you can do, the graphics are amazing for its time, the game just never gets old
  25. NickA.
    Jul 22, 2005
    9
    One of the best DBZ games ever... but gameplay can get old and losing to the same person over and over can get very annoying. still, over all its a must buy for any DBZ fan.
  26. VickN.
    Jul 17, 2006
    9
    better then the begining but at da same time its too complicated (have to push 2 manybuttons just for a finish move) but worth it.
  27. MaganY.
    Dec 14, 2005
    9
    Let put this in 1 word: brilliant After 2 underwhelming but fun games in the Budokai franchise, Dragon Ball Z: Budokai 3 is arguably the best game yet in the DBZ license The fights recreate the energetic action of the show and it's awesome, go play it.
  28. MrSonicFan
    Aug 6, 2013
    9
    DBZ Budokai 3 was the first Dragon Ball fighting game I ever played, and it is amazing, Great controls, a good cast of characters, a amazing soundtrack, a story mode that recreates the original series very well (though Budokai 1 had a better story mode), And its just so much fun to play. I recommend it to fans of DBZ and fighting games
  29. ChesterField
    May 6, 2020
    9
    My favourite fighting game for ps2 next to tekken 5 and definitely better than his predecesors budokai.
  30. SSJRhandy
    Sep 25, 2021
    9
    My favorite DBZ game in the Budokai trilogy :) a must buy for fans like myself
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Awards & Rankings

70
#70 Best PS2 Game of 2004
18
#18 Most Discussed PS2 Game of 2004
9
#9 Most Shared PS2 Game of 2004

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
77

Generally favorable reviews - based on 32 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 24 out of 32
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 32
  3. Negative: 2 out of 32
  1. 1UP
    80
    It's hard to find any major faults with Budokai 3. With 40 characters from Dragon Ball Z and Dragon Ball GT, the Saiyan Overdrive System, and an ambitious new story mode, I'm absolutely blown away by this game. If you're a DBZ fan like me, there's no reason to think you won't be too.
    Read full review
  2. GamerFeed
    40
    You can only ride on the license for so long before things get stale, and that's exactly what's happened here. If you loved the first two, you'll still probably love this one, but when do fighting game fans get to have fun with a DBZ game?
    Read full review
  3. PALGN
    80
    The game is extremely fast.
    Read full review
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