Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 3

With its peculiar fighting system, it’s the best recreation of the fights that we saw on TV, that really come alive with the great cel shading visuals. More than 150 characters, the campaign and tournament modes and the encyclopedias make it just perfect for DB fans. [Dec 2007]

The ride has been fun, and many great battles have been fought in living rooms and rec halls across the nation. If Tenkaichi 3 turns out to be the swan song, the capstone to the house that Atari and DBZ built, it will be a noble end.

For 50 bucks, Dragonball Z Budokai Tenkaichi 3 is a surprisingly good game. The colorful landscapes, differently played characters, and multiple settings and choices make the title enjoyable.

Undeniably the best DBZ game to date. The fighting engine has been considerably deepened, the Dragon History mode is flawed but great, and the graphics far surpass the anime.

If there's one word to describe this game it's frenzy. You'll find plenty of fast action and the gameplay never really takes a break.

When looking at the core gameplay, and ignoring the titles before it, BT3 is a fast, fun, and amazingly deep experience for fans of the award-winning anime.

Budokai Tenkaichi 3 is a “more of the same” sequel, but its still-addictive gameplay presents a problem: if you buy it, you’re out $40. But if you choose to rent it, you’ll likely spend more in the long run since the game is hard to give up.

Mixes superb visuals, a solid fighting system and some heart breaking drama. [Jan 2008, p.78]

The game isn't great, but it delivers the goods for the fans, and that's all it really needs to do.

Budokai Tenkaichi 3 is a good game for a DBZ title, but average if you ignore the property holding it up. For fans of DBZ this is a must-own; for normal gamers, this is likely onyl a rental.

The large variety of fighters, the deep fighting model, and the compelling story that unfolds throughout the game play modes makes this one worth a look.

When it comes down to it, Budokai Tenkaichi 3 continues the series’ tradition of creating true-to-the-anime experiences.

After three games, you should know by now that this series is primarily for longtime fans, and they have plenty to like. [Holiday 2007, p.82]

It still looks great on the aging hardware and accurately represents the popular anime/manga series, but the statute of limitations for similar last-gen sequels expires now - it's time for Atari to take this franchise to next-gen consoles and put some real force behind these extraordinary characters and settings.

If you've played any of the previous Tenkaichi titles, you know exactly what to expect here -- a relatively shallow button-masher that does a darn fine job of letting you relive the Dragon Ball experience. Those looking for anything else will be disappointed, but if you just want another excuse to beat up Frieza, this game will suit you perfectly.

It's the ultimate package for DBZ fans. For everyone else it's one of the most technical and rewarding fighters out there. [Christmas 2007, p.90]

Spike, through their years of crafting this intricate milieu, has given the fans what they wanted: a fun, exciting portrayal mirroring the spirit and ferociousness of Dragon Ball Z.

If you own a Wii, I recommend you hold out and wait for that version, which features an interesting alternate control scheme and full online play.

Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 3 may not be that unique, or that good, but it certainly takes a familiar theme and then moves off at strange angles, pushing ideas far more then you might initially expect, taking something familiar and, for good or bad, making it true to its own rules.

A horrible mess of a fighting system scuppers it, but fans will love it anyway. [Jan 2007, p.68]

For everyone else, it's a tough and not entirely rewarding slog that you may tire of before you see the fruits of your labour. If you're not prepared to wallow in the minutiae of Dragon Ball Z, there are far more competent fighters out there.

It's unbalanced, oddly paced and blocky...but there's no denying that a certain charm persists beneath it all, and I found myself playing long after I had enough to review it.