Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi

 PlayStation 2
  • Publisher: Atari
  • Release Date: Oct 18, 2005
Metascore
72

Mixed or average reviews - based on 29 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 16 out of 29
  2. Mixed: 11 out of 29
  3. Negative: 2 out of 29
Buy Now
Buy on
  1. GameSpot
    70
    It has little in common with previous Budokai games, but there's still enough here to keep DBZ fans entertained.
  2. Siliconera
    70
    What Dragon Ball Z: Sparkling ends up as is a good game for the millions of Dragon Ball fans out there even though it doesn’t have the general appeal of Dragon Ball Z: Budokai 3.
  3. GameSpy
    70
    If you're just a casual fighting game, or more specifically, a fan of Dragon Ball Z, Budokai Tenkaichi may be exactly what you're looking for.
  5. DarkStation
    70
    Hardcore DBZ fans would be happy with the new flying skills and bigger environments to traverse, but be mindful of its basic and shallow combat system.
  6. Gamer 2.0
    62
    Tenkaichi is a genuine attempt at capturing the Dragon Ball essence, but in the end the complex, clunky gameplay and lack of previously offered features prevents the unlocking of any true potential.
  7. GamePro
    60
    Tenkaichi succeeds in all the areas that DBZ fans love: brilliant, innovative graphics, a gajillion (more than 60, actually) playable characters from the beloved anime series, and (everyone together) Saiyans!
  8. Official U.S. Playstation Magazine
    60
    The gameplay is a bit awkward and quite repetitive, but no game has captured the feel of Dragon Ball Z quite like this. [Jan 2006, p.92]
    All this publication's reviews
  9. G4 TV
    60
    The visuals hit the mark, and there’s a huge roster of fighters here, but the odd camera work and control issues don’t work in the game’s favor.
  10. Eurogamer
    50
    Given its level of difficulty, and general synaesthetic terrorism, my mind and body were woefully unequipped to deal with what Bandai had unleashed on me.
  11. GamerFeed
    50
    The game just fails to capture the energy of a true fighting game, and runs amuck of too many problems to really be considered as a purchase, unless you live DBZ and named your kid Kakarot.
  12. Official Playstation 2 Magazine UK
    50
    Closely in tune with the spirit of the DBZ universe, which must be brilliant for some gamers, but if that means nothing to you then neither will this game. [Dec 2005, p.124]
    All this publication's reviews

Awards & Rankings

94
#94 Best PS2 Game of 2005
39
#39 Most Discussed PS2 Game of 2005
64
#64 Most Shared PS2 Game of 2005

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.2

Generally favorable reviews- based on 97 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 68 out of 97
  2. Mixed: 24 out of 97
  3. Negative: 5 out of 97
  1. mewkid1234
    Nov 8, 2013
    3
    Bad game..very bad game. I mean..if you want a good DBZ Budokai Tenkaichi game then play the 2nd one. The characters are just...wow. IBad game..very bad game. I mean..if you want a good DBZ Budokai Tenkaichi game then play the 2nd one. The characters are just...wow. I mean...seriously...they look like Minecraft blobs on crack. The gameplay and story alike are just wow. It's good...but not that perfect. The camera sucks, the controls are easy to maneuver and the best this game can do is give you a good Character Introduction mode. All in all...this game sucks.… Full Review »
  2. JarvisS.
    Oct 19, 2005
    4
    This game sucks, the camara is awkward, the characters are hard to control in the air, and you CAN'T TRANSFORM!!! Give it back to Dimps, This game sucks, the camara is awkward, the characters are hard to control in the air, and you CAN'T TRANSFORM!!! Give it back to Dimps, they new what they were doing!!… Full Review »
  3. TyeBuster
    Apr 6, 2023
    7
    Not bad start for this series, DBZ Budokai had much worse first game, much worse...
See all user reviews »