"The ultimate Dragonball Z game."

Introduction

It's been a while since Nintendo has actually gotten its hands on a Dragonball Z game. Thank God they got their hands on this one. And it was even a launch title for the Wii. Dragonball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 2 is a sequel to Budokai Tenkaichi for PS2. Is this as good as the first? Is it worth your attention? Find out as I review the game.

Gameplay : 10/10

The gameplay in Tenkaichi 2 can be described in one word: Awesome! The gameplay is just an updated version of the gameplay from the first Tenkaichi, if you play with a controller other than the Wii-mote. The Wii Remote is a gift from above. Now, it will take you a while to get used to the new controls, but when you learn and get good at it, you will wonder how you ever played a DBZ game any other way. You can even do the moves that you've come to know and love by doing the motions with the Wii-mote. Now children, don't you fear. The Burning Attack ,from your friend Trunks, will not need the movement Trunks does to do it. Don't worry. The controls aren't that crazy. There are even other methods of controlling this game. You can use the "Classic" Controller or you can use the GameCube Controller. Ten out of ten for gameplay, just for the sheer fact that you have so many ways to play.

Graphics : 9/10

The Cel-Shaded look returns in Tenkaichi 2. Which gives the game it's anime feel. Like the first Tenkaichi, the backgrounds are fully rendered in 3-D. Now, this is just a port of the PS2 version, but that isn't a bad thing. The graphics are still great.

Sound : 10/10

For once, we get a DBZ game without having music from the game before it inserted in. Tenkaichi 2 has no re-hashed Budokai music, like the first Tenkaichi had. The voice acting is great. And this time around, you can actually hear the characters talk when they do their Ultimate Blast, unlike Tenkaichi 1. And normally, the score for the sound would just be a 9, but I award Tenkaichi 2 one extra point for throwing in the original Japanese voices, too. A vast improvement over the previous title.

Story : 10/10

Dragon Adventure is the name of the Story Mode in this game. Dragonball Z is covered completely, with every Saga in the game. Just about every movie has a Story Mode counterpart with movies: 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, and 13 being covered. The main portion of GT is covered with: Baby, Super 17, and Shadow Dragons Sagas in the game. And we no longer have only two characters on the screen at one time in the cut-scenes, but upwards of 5 or 6 sometimes. And every now and then, they throw in a cut-scene where it actually looks like the anime, in game form. Like Goku fighting Vegeta, or Bardock confronting Frieza. How could this not be a ten out of ten?!

Replayability : 10/10

This game has so many characters, and so many modes of play. You will be playing it for a while. There are Tournaments, Ultimate Battle Z, Dragon Adventure, and Dueling. You can blast through the Story using the Classic or GameCube controller, then when you get good, try using the Wii Remote. There are endless possibilities for this game.

Overall Score : 10/10

Summary

Dragonball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 2 knocks the first Tenkaichi off the top of the mountain and claims the title of "Best Dragonball Z game ever". How could it not be the best? Innovative ways to control your characters. More characters than any fighting game. And the longest Story Mode any DBZ game has ever seen. If you are a DBZ fan, and you own a Wii, pick this game up. You won't regret it. And even if you aren't a DBZ fan, but you like fighting games, give it a try. Because the innovative controls really make this game great. This game earns my first ever ten out of ten.

Pros:

+ The most characters ever.
+ The longest Story Mode of any DBZ game.
+ Innovative controls.

Cons:

- Lagging in fast-paced action.
- On rare occasions, the game glitches and freezes up.

Reviewer's Score: 10/10, Originally Posted: 12/04/06