• A showdown of legendary proportions!

• Follow the Dragon Ball Z animated series from Saiyan Saga to Cell Games!

• Face off with up to 23 mighty Dragon Ball Z warriors!

• Unlock, collect, and trade devastating skills with friends to create the most powerful fighters in the universe!

• Battle at blazing speeds in the Burst Zone!

Dragon Ball Z: Budokai is the most intense way to expreience the epic battles of Dragon Ball Z! 5 fighting modes, including Story Mode, which takes players from the Saiyan Saga to the Cell Games saga. Up to 23 of the most popular hereos and villians of DBZ are in this game, each with their own 60 combo moves each.

Character list:
Android #16
Android #17
Android #18
Android #19
Captain Ginyu
Cell
Dodoria
Frieza
Young Gohan
Teen Gohan
Great Saiyaman
Goku
Hercule
Krillin
Nappa
Piccolo
Raditz
Recoome
Tien
Trunks
VEGETA!!!!
Yamcha
and Zarbon

Just get it.

12 of 14 found the following review helpful:


Finally, a GOOD DBZ game!  Dec 16, 2002
This game is summed up in one word: Amazing. I've been a huge fan of DBZ ever since 5th grade, and have been waiting for a DBZ game of this caliber for the longest time. Sure, Hyper Dimension for SNES and DBGT Final Bout for PSX were great, but they were pretty much just pure fighting. Budokai introduces some new elements to the old generation of fighting games. For example, there is now an actual true-to-the-show storyline, which even a DBZ veteran can enjoy, even if he or she already knows the entire thing. Also, you can buy skills to customize your favorite characters.
Speaking of characters, there are 23 of them. Among these are Krillin, Vegeta, Androids 16, 17, 18, and 19, Cell, Trunks, Goku, and many, many more. The skills are cool, and when performed they look even cooler. My favorite skill is Trunks' Final Buster. When executed, it fires a big sphere of energy at your foe, creating a giant explosion, and actually changing the scenery around you by demolishing everything is the explosion's path! It looks AMAZING. The background looks something like Namek after Frieza used his trump card to make it explode.
Now, on to the combat. The combos are simply executed, and you don't have to rush pressing the buttons to execute an Energy Dan like you do in Ultimate Battle 22 for PSX. There are 60 plus combo moves for each character, including throws, energy waves, and strong physical attacks. The bosses are, for the most part, tough and challenging, and provide good training to improve on your skills.
The graphics could be a lot better, but I think it goes better rather than some flashy, smooth graphics when compared to the TV show. Some characters are a little too polygonal, and the way their mouths move don't exactly match the text, but the awesome energy attacks greatly make up for those faults!
There are 5 fighting modes to choose from. Story, Duel, World Tournament, Practice, and another cool one. I'm too tired, I forget what it is. All of them provide good challenges.
Dragonball Z Budokai is by no means a perfect game, but it's extremely fun, even if you're not a DBZ fan! Every game has its faults. This one is the graphics. If you like DBZ and have been waiting for a good one to come out, this is the game for you!

6 of 6 found the following review helpful:


THE BEST DRAGONBALL Z GAME EVER!!!  Dec 31, 2002 By SUPER GOKU
Dragonball z Budokai is one of the best Dragonball z games ever released. You can choose up to 23 great warriors like Goku, Vegeta, and many others. There are a great deal of unlockable characters. The best part about this game is that you can edit skills in the Edit Skills section. If you are a Dragonball Z fan, then you will love this game. The story follows the anime series very accurately.

The hardest thing abouut the game, though, is the Tournament Mode. Basically, the only way to win is to knock the person out of the ring. As you progress through the tournament, it will get very difficult. for me it took me five long days just to beat the tournament mode, and when you get to the end, you get a bonus character,(I am not telling who the character is.)

I wished they could have put more detail on the game, for example, adding the Majin Buu Saga, but I guess I can see why they Infogrames did not put that part in because the saga is not done on Cartoon Network.

Overall, I think the game is a great game. If you are a Hardcore DBZ fan like me, then you should go out and get it. Maybe the developers will make a part two of this game, at least I hope so.

13 of 16 found the following review helpful:


well, at lest it's fun  Dec 14, 2002 By Shaun O'Donnell "Shaun O'Donnell"
Dragon Ball Z Boudoki is the 5th DBZ gaem to hit america. For the most part the games are not bad however each title that they release is truley nothing spectacular. However for fans this title will not disapoint.

The focus on Boudoki is on the combat. Set in 3D type world the game takes off with some decent results. There are multiple modes to work with to include story mode, World MArtial Arts Tournament, Duel, and Practice. Each one is a little unique in it's own way but the fighting stays the same. Lets discuss each one individually.

Story Mode basically tells the tale of DBZ up to the Cell Saga (what not enough time to fit Majin Buu). The first time through you fight as Goku primarily. The only other warrior you can control is GOhan at later moments. However once beaten you unlock more chapters in story mode involving other characters. Eventually by doing so you unlock more guys for other modes. Teh only other upside is the ability to collect capsuls to customize your own character.

Duel is just as it states, a VS mode. The battles are only one on one and it can be 1P vs CP, 1P vs 2P, or CP vs CP.

World Martial Arts Tournament is a little more unique in the way it is set up. You pick your guy and and difficulty level (the other two must be unlocked) and then compete to earn money. The ways to win this is to knock out your foe, or knock them out of the ring. If you win you earn money to be used at Mr. Popo's house.

PRactice: If I have to explain this than you must be at least 2 years old.

There are two other customary options, but nothing spectacular. You have Mr. Popo house which enables you to purchase capsuls to customize your own guy (for Duel, Practice, and WMAT) and than customize enables you to do that. It is nothign spectacular.

Overall this game is fun for a fighting game, but with shallow combat and difficult to pull off special moves this game is more for Die Hard DBZ fans (which is why I gave it 4 stars). If I was not a DBZ fan than in all honestly I would of given it 3 or less when you compare it to other games such as Virtua Fighter 4, Tekken 4, and Mortal Kombat Deadly Alliance. Over all this is for fans only and nobody else.

5 of 5 found the following review helpful:


Budokai for Fans Only  Jan 20, 2003
Dragonball Z: Budokai closely follows the story line from Dragon Ball Z. It begins with the Saiyan saga and finishes with the Cell saga.

Graphics: 5/5.
The graphics are really good in this game. While they aren't "great" compared to other games such as Final Fantasy, you have to keep in mind that the characters are meant to have an anime look.

Gameplay: 4/5
If you have play Final Bout, you shouldn't worry, because the gameplay has vastly improved in Budokai. The controls are easy to learn, and all of the moves are simple to pull off.

Story: 5/5
Quite simply, if you enjoy Dragon Ball Z, than you will enjoy the story line. Its the same thing!

Sound: 5/5
The sound in Dragon Ball Z: Budokai is nothing shorter than amazing. While duking it out with your favorite villian, you can listen to the music of the actual fight from the TV show. The game uses the actual voices from the TV show for an extra touch of realism.

Summary:
While Dragon Ball Z: Budokai is a fun game, it does have some flaws. One of them is tournament mode. The computer is really, really cheap. If you play tournament mode, expect to get angry once and a while. Another thing is that most of the projectiles need to be used at close range. For example, to use Piccolo's Special Beam Cannon, you to kick your opponent in a certain way. You will kick them in the air and hit them to the ground. You then shoot it it at them. So if you are expecting something like you would find in Street Fighter, than this game is not for you. Another downside is you cannot jump, or duck, or even fly when you want to. The makes game play a lot more difficult. However, there are some very interesting things about Budokai that seperate it from the rest. Their is a unique character customization in which you can create the ultimate character. Basically, Dragon Ball Z: Budokai is a good game if you are a Dragon Ball fan. If you just want to buy a good fighting game, then look somewhere else. You won't find it in this game.

PROS:
+ Good game play.
+ Easy super moves.
+ Great graphics and sound.
+ Customization of allows your to create the ulimate character.
+ Burst mode

CONS:
- The tournament mode tends to be a little cheap.
- Almost all projectiles need to be used at close range. (ie. Special Beam Cannon, Kamehameha, etc.)
- Good for Dragon Ball fans, bad for fighting game fans.
- You cannot jump or duck.
- You cannot fly whenever you want.

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