Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi

"The best DBZ Game ever? ....Maybe not"

The whole big DBZ game franchise started really when Budokai 1 came out and the whole frenzy started. There were previous games but those were failures. Then Budokai 2 came out, that one faired out alright. Budokai 3, in my opinion the best of them all then came out and showed how good a DBZ game could be. Then they had took a whole new approach with Tenkaichi..

Introduction

Tenkaichi ( or Sparking!) is a whole new approach to the DBZ fighting games. It is completely different from the Budokai series. They took away some things such as IGT (In game transformation) and long sequences for ultimates. They also changed some ultimates. The game covers a great deal of the DBZ series, but not exactly everything. You also have a great deal of characters to choose from. Atleast 90 characters (This is including transformations.) But, How does Tenkaichi fair up to the Budokai games? That will follow right now..

Controls

The controls are very simple. This isn't necessarily a good thing, as you don't have much of a variety. This is really a lackluster in most fighting games. The controls are as easy as pie. Square = Punch/Kick, Triangle = Ki blast, Circle = Block, and X = Dash. The other buttons are R1 which is to jump up, if you press it again you will stay in the air. R2 allows you lower yourself to the ground. L2 allows you to power up, and L1 allows you Z-Search(Find your opponent and lock onto him.) As I said the controls an all are very simple compared to Budokai and most fighters.

I'll give the controls a 6/10. As they could be much better, and add more stuff.

Graphics

The graphics are very nice and smooth. The overbright on some Super Saiyajin looks really as it adds to the anime/cel shaded look even more. The game features a "battle-damage" system. What happens is when you get hurt alot, the model changes to a damaged up, clothes ripped model. The environments look rather nice as well. It all has an anime look to it.

I'll give the graphics a 9/10

Audio (Music, Voice Acting, and Sounds. )

Everything in the audio department is definitely top notch. They have everything down to the core. The music is excellent in Sparking. The japanese music is a plus to everything as it really is the best music out there for DBZ. From We gotta power to Dan dan instrumental, it really sounds good. The voice acting is also really good as well. The authentic japanese voices are always the best as they match the personality well. The sounds for the ki blasts, fists punching against eachother, etc...are all very good. They add to the DBZ feel even more. The sounds are very good as they sound like they are straight from the anime.

I give the audio a 9/10

Gameplay

Here's what it really comes down to, the gameplay. The gameplay is what really holds back the game alot. The gameplay in my opinion is cool at first, but then got absolutely boring. You really can't link into anything new that you haven't pulled off. It is very simple. For example, I can kill Brolly, Oozaru, Oozaru Vegeta, USSJ Trunks without getting hit once. The reason why I can do this is because, they can't block due to being strong. They can take hits but once you do a combo that ends with X, they are stunned and cannot do anything. You repeat this and they're yours completely. That is the problem with a majority of the game. You just rinse and repeat, you can't do much. They don't give you much of a variety at all from attacks and such. It's fun at first, but then just goes down the gutter. Budokai 3 had a more in-depth fighting system as it was a more traditional 3D Fighter. This game really doesn't hold the cake here. They could've really improved on alot of aspects on the fighting system. You really cannot do much as I stress this out as much as I can.

Gameplay gets a really bad 5/10.

Final Verdict

The game is a bit fun at first, but then you realize how severely repetitive it really gets. The game could've been improved alot on the fighting system which is where it severely lacks. If they improved on that aspect, this would've been the best DBZ game ever. I have to say I really liked the variety of characters though. I just will stick to my opininon on the whole fighting system aspect though, as it could've been alot better. I hope they learn and realize that their next DBZ game could be the best DBZ game ever made if they make a more in depth fighting system.

Overall Rating: 7/10

Reviewer's Score: 7/10, Originally Posted: 10/13/05