Dragon Ball Z: Budokai

 PlayStation 2
  • Publisher: Atari
  • Release Date: Dec 3, 2002
Metascore
67

Mixed or average reviews - based on 28 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 28
  2. Mixed: 16 out of 28
  3. Negative: 3 out of 28
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  1. Game Informer
    73
    Fans of the show will drool over the voices, music, and perfectly replicated look of the animated series. [Jan 2003, p.96]
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  2. TotalGames.net
    73
    If you can get past the pastel coloured craziness of it all, then Dragon Ball Z: Budokai provides a decent enough challenge – just don’t be expecting another Tekken 4 and this should find favour.
  3. GameZone
    72
    If you are into DBZ and haven’t picked this game up yet ... do so immediately.
  5. GamePro
    70
    Non–Dragon Ball Z fans, however, may have a hard time not only grasping the quirky DBZ story, but also wrapping their fingers around the repetitious controls.
  6. PSX Nation
    70
    It flirts awfully close with being a mindless button-masher, but Budokai embraces its “Dragon Ball Z” license with a passion and eye for little details that’ll surely make hardcore fans of the series flip from joy.
  7. Official U.S. Playstation Magazine
    70
    Fighting Game Fan: "I'll admit, I was surprised at how deep the game is, and I actually enjoyed the Story mode, despite the oddball characters." [Feb 2003, p.104]
  8. GMR Magazine
    70
    A fun, frantic fighting game tht completely captures the unique spirit of the show... A must have for DBZ fans. [Feb 2003, p.69]
  9. GameSpot
    69
    The rather simple fighting system in DBZ Budokai is really the key factor that's going to keep it from appealing to many people outside of the DBZ fan base.
  10. Gamers' Temple
    69
    If you're an aficionado of the series, then you won't be disappointed with the quality of this title. However, as a fighter the game falls short of the top titles in the genre and will more than likely be too simplistic for fighter fans.
  11. GameSpy
    69
    As a fighting game, Budokai is mediocre at best and annoyingly frustrating at worst.
  12. Armchair Empire
    68
    Only bother with DBZ:B if you are a steadfast, utterly devoted fan of the series, otherwise steer clear of this title and getting your fighting game fix elsewhere.
  13. GameNow
    67
    Slick cut-scenes. [Feb 2003, p.38]
  14. GamerWeb Sony
    65
    This game is basically made for the DBZ fans out there than don't mind putting up with some sub-par gameplay as long as they get to play as their favorite DBZ characters.
  15. IGN
    62
    A poor fighting game disguised by an excellent presentation.
  16. Entertainment Weekly
    50
    Features 23 characters who, while lacking artistic detail, still yell, grunt, and move almost exactly like their broadcast counterparts. [17 Jan 2003, p.87]
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  17. Cheat Code Central
    50
    It's really quite one-dimensional. Did they pull this fighting engine out of a Game Boy Color?
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Awards & Rankings

11
#11 Most Discussed PS2 Game of 2002
25
#25 Most Shared PS2 Game of 2002

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
7.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 101 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 62 out of 101
  2. Mixed: 29 out of 101
  3. Negative: 10 out of 101
  1. Zilcell
    Nov 8, 2011
    8
    Each fight in the game is harder than the one before it so hardcore gamers will like the difficulty. The fighting is fast so a lot of buttonEach fight in the game is harder than the one before it so hardcore gamers will like the difficulty. The fighting is fast so a lot of button mashing is required. It follows the Dragon Ball Z storyline very well. If you like fighting games, then you just might like this game.… Full Review »
  2. TheQuietGamer
    Mar 7, 2011
    8
    Dragon Ball Z: Budokai is a great fighter, with a great selection of characters, and a fun story mode, but is lacking in tournament modes andDragon Ball Z: Budokai is a great fighter, with a great selection of characters, and a fun story mode, but is lacking in tournament modes and replay value, but has some pretty good multiplayer, if your a fan of the DBZ Budokai series and you want to see where it began this is a great purchase.… Full Review »
  3. Burger-Man2
    May 15, 2023
    8
    Dragon Ball Z - Budokai is a good game 20 (or 21 if you consider the PS2 version release date) years later? The answer is... kinda. The gameDragon Ball Z - Budokai is a good game 20 (or 21 if you consider the PS2 version release date) years later? The answer is... kinda. The game has some problems, such as the main story being short and graphics being, while they certainly have their charm, compared to other DBZ games even on PS2, not great. We can see that this game didn't aged well on that. But here's the thing: Graphics don't make a game. And that's why I gave a 8/10. The gameplay is simple, but actually pretty fun, the game faithfully recreates the anime scenes with incredible detail considering this was also the first Dragon Ball game for the PS2, and the english dub is surprisingly solid, and the actors are actually the same ones from the show (from what I know, though). But here's the problems: People say that, to unlock all the capsules, it takes a lot of time and people criticizes that, but since I just played the story mode... I can't say anything about that. What I can say something about though, is the length of the adventure. It takes about 2-3 hours to beat at the first time, and while there is extra content, I think the story should be a bit longer, it should have the Majin Boo saga, which this game (weirdly enough) doesn't has. The short length is also a good thing though, since people who don't have a lot of free time can beat this in one seat. Overall, while definitely not being the best Dragon Ball game for the PS2, it is definitely a fun one, and I genuinely recommend it to DBZ fans.… Full Review »
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