Dragon Ball Z: Budokai

 PlayStation 2
  • Publisher: Atari
  • Release Date: Dec 3, 2002
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
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  1. J.H.
    Jan 7, 2003
    7
    It's DBZ. That's all that really matters. A decent to below average fighting system. Tedious capsule collecting. A short, but fun story mode. Voice acting, solid music and earth shattering special moves wrap up the package nicely. But like it was said before, without the DBZ license, this fighting game would not be worth a purchase. Pick it up only if you are heavily into DBZ... It's DBZ. That's all that really matters. A decent to below average fighting system. Tedious capsule collecting. A short, but fun story mode. Voice acting, solid music and earth shattering special moves wrap up the package nicely. But like it was said before, without the DBZ license, this fighting game would not be worth a purchase. Pick it up only if you are heavily into DBZ... like me.… Expand
  2. JohnS.
    Jan 7, 2003
    7
    I'm a dbz fan and a stickler for a good fighting game. i was torn. this is NOT up to par with even the first streetfighter game. it is very fun for a good while at least if you like DBZ. i have a lot of fun with it because i do like the characters. my biggest problem, you can't jump. i don't think i have to explain myself there. that like not being able to move left orI'm a dbz fan and a stickler for a good fighting game. i was torn. this is NOT up to par with even the first streetfighter game. it is very fun for a good while at least if you like DBZ. i have a lot of fun with it because i do like the characters. my biggest problem, you can't jump. i don't think i have to explain myself there. that like not being able to move left or something. its rediculous to not let the fighters jump, they can FLY for God's sake! let them just jump, geeeeez who came up with that anyway? no jumping, thank God you can pause the game cause im sure that was next to go on this idiots list. i'm surprised no one's tried to kill him yet! … Expand
  3. RyanM.
    Feb 9, 2003
    7
    I'm a big dragonball z fan and i expected a lot more out of this game. I don't like how they didn't include the Majin Buu saga which is my favorite. The graphics are good, but they could have done a lot more with the adventure mode, which can be easily beaten in one night.
  4. Watermelon789
    Apr 4, 2012
    7
    The story linearity is short for gamers that plays a lot in a day, for DBZ fans , consider this a punch in the face. Three important modes that will likely be in use often, the first one is the main story ( before mentioned ) , the other is the Duel one where you actually pit two players one on one and finally the best varied option is the tournament where it was used countless of times inThe story linearity is short for gamers that plays a lot in a day, for DBZ fans , consider this a punch in the face. Three important modes that will likely be in use often, the first one is the main story ( before mentioned ) , the other is the Duel one where you actually pit two players one on one and finally the best varied option is the tournament where it was used countless of times in previous DBZ games but hopefully Budokai's tournament style is the best option for those interested . Graphically Budokai is fine enough ( though this was the first and the last DBZ game to include those daunting graphics) , playability side is easy to pick in the first try . Consider this the superior DBZ fighting game, although is short on content.… Expand
  5. frederik1478
    Mar 1, 2021
    6
    ok game that is still worth playing if You are Dragon Ball fun, Amazing how will the graphics hold ,best part of the game is the side stories crazy things happen
  6. FeerFrikazus
    Sep 10, 2017
    5
    Personalmente no me gustó mucho, la cantidad de personaje es corta, el combate no es gran cosa, la duración es corta y le falta muchos combates importantes de la historia.
    La verdad no lo recomiendo.
  7. TheCornflex
    Feb 1, 2018
    7
    First DB-Game I played. And I had a lot of fun with it. The Tournament-Mode is the highlight.

Awards & Rankings

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

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
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
  1. 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.
    Read full review
  2. Gamer.tv
    78
    Dramatic, hilarious and impenetrable by turn, it's a cold heart that won't be warmed by this one, but hardcore fight fans may find themselves irritated.
    Read full review
  3. Cinescape
    91
    A Dragonball fan’s dream. It is the first "true" American game based on the series, and Infogrames really came through on this one.
    Read full review
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