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
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  1. Cheat Code Central
    90
    Not only surpasses the Budokai series up to now, but shows us some new and great additions.
  2. Worth Playing
    85
    The best DBZ fighting game I've personally played to date, and it's one that I'll gladly play alongside my repertoire of "dedicated" fighting games.
  3. GamingTrend
    85
    This is easily an instant pickup for Dragon Ball Z fans. Fighting game fans should take a look at this title as well, as the amount of customization and number of characters mixed with strategy brings up DBZ: BT to a higher level over other fighting games.
  5. GameZone
    83
    I really liked how the developers of Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi went “outside the box” when creating this game and didn’t stick to the formula that the other Budokai set up.
  6. IGN
    82
    Throw in a massively deep list of modes and features, more than 50 playable characters, and customizable goodies for your fighters and you have everything necessary to please both Dragon Ball diehards and fighting game curiosos alike.
  7. Gamers' Temple
    82
    It has a suitable cel-shaded look to it and reproduces the vibrant colors and crisp lines of the series quite well.
  8. Gaming Target
    82
    Features a staggering amount of features despite the shortcomings of the gameplay.
  9. Pelit (Finland)
    81
    What a nice surprise! A 3D beat 'em up that is both loyal to its license and fun to play. Technically impressive, too. [Dec 2005]
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  10. Jolt Online Gaming UK
    80
    It’s novel, it’s a good fighting game and it’s extremely well presented, but Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi is still one for the fans.
  11. PALGN
    80
    The fourth Budokai game is the most accurate videogame rendition of Dragon Ball Z to date. It doesn't get much better than this.
  12. Games Radar
    80
    With more drama than Tekken and more guts than Dead or Alive, Tenkaichi literally has more balls than any beat-'em-up released in the last 12 months. [GamesMaster]
  13. PSM Magazine
    80
    There's got to be a better control configuration. [Holiday 2005, p.82]
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  14. Console Gameworld
    80
    Amazing graphics and incredibly fun multiplayer.
  15. GameBrink
    80
    The programmers used music from the anime and TV series but it’s a shame that some tunes didn’t make it in. The addition of English and Japanese voiceovers makes the experience great for the fans.
  16. Thunderbolt
    80
    A wonderfully fun and addicting experience, offering tons of characters, modes, and everything else you could want in an anime-based video game. Just as its television forefather, this game has the makings for something great.
  17. TotalGames.net
    79
    The difficulty level is very high, even on baby-mode and the AI is no slouch on mixing up the special attacks. Fans will love the new additions and enormity of the game, although some might be put off by the pared down attacks but those new to the series may be put off by the rock hard difficulty level.
    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

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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...
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