Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 3

"The definitive Dragonball Z experience."

Introduction


Dragonball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 3, for the Nintendo Wii, is the third game in the Tenkaichi series of games, but only the second to come to the Wii. It was released a couple of weeks after the PlayStation 2 release. Was the wait worth it? The Tenkaichi games have always been fun, but can Tenkaichi 3 keep up the tradition? Is the third time really a charm? Find out as I express my opinions of the game.


Gameplay : 10/10


The gameplay in Tenkaichi 3 has drastically changed from that of Tenkaichi 2. The first, and best, change is that the Sensor Bar is no longer required for the Wii Remote Controls. That eliminates the annoying cursor and allows you to be farther away from your TV set and still be able to register commands. The Wii Remote Controls now rely on the sensors built in to the Wii Remote. Once again, we also have the option of playing the game with the GameCube Controller or the Classic Controller. Unlike Tenkaichi 2, the in-game tutorial actually teaches you how to play the game with whatever control setup you use, as opposed to only getting to see how the Wii Remote works.

The Wii Remote controls are the most drastic of the changes regarding control setups. Don't come straight from Tenkaichi 2 and expect to know how to play Tenkaichi 3. The GameCube and Classic controls are almost the same as Tenkaichi 2, though. A couple of buttons have been re-mapped, such as which button you use to power up. Whatever controller you use, it will take some getting use to, but once you get the hang of things, it's all good. The gameplay is vastly superior to Tenkaichi 2. Sadly, we do not have the option of setting custom controls.


Graphics : 8/10


As always, Tenkaichi 3 has the Cel-Shaded graphics effect, which adds to the overall Anime feel. But it's not like you haven't seen it before. The graphics could be much better if they would use the Wii's power to its potential, instead of trying to accommodate the look for two systems, with one being a generation older. Now, don't take this the wrong way. The game is gorgeous, but it could be so much better.


Sound : 9/10


I greatly prefer the soundtrack to Tenkaichi 3 over the old soundtrack of Tenkaichi 2. As always, we get the option of switching over to the original Japanese voice track. However, we don't get any music from the television show, whether it be Japanese or American. But that will only disappoint the hardcore fans of the show. Voice acting is top-notch. I've always been a big fan of FUNimation's actors. But the original, Japanese voice track is also excellent.


Story : 8/10


The Story Mode is the mode that took the biggest hit in Tenkaichi 3. Sure, we've played this story countless times, but the mode is still a necessity. "Dragon History" is the name that the Story Mode has this time around. And it is vastly shorter than the Story Mode from Tenkaichi 2. The fights last longer now, which is a plus. But the overall mode is greatly shorter. But unlike Tenkaichi 2, you actually get to take control over the villains, if the time calls for it, making the Story actually make sense this time around. You don't know how annoying it was to have pummeled your enemy into the ground, just to see your character eating the dirt in the cut-scenes. The difficulty is also quite harder this go around. The mode is fun, but I prefer the lengthy Story Mode from Tenkaichi 2.


Replayability : 10/10

With so many modes of play, Tenkaichi 3 will last quite a while. And to the delight of Dragon Ball fans every where, Tenkaichi 3 is the first in the series to feature Online Play. Which will make the game last even longer, granted that the Online Play is plagued with lag, for now. It is still possible to play nearly lag-free matches. Hopefully, it will pick up/get fixed eventually. It's still fun as all get-out online, except when the lag is so bad that commands won't register. But that is rare. And with Online Play, Dragon History, Mission 100, Sim Dragon, Survival, and Dragon World Tour, Tenkaichi 3 will last you a while.


Overall Score : 9/10

Summary


Dragonball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 3 is a must-have for fans of the series. It's a solid fighting game. According to the back of the box, it was IGN's Wii fighting game Winner from e3. So, even if you aren't a fan of Dragon Ball, the game might be to your liking. Other than the Story Mode, Tenkaichi 3 has greatly improved over its predecessor. And with the added modes, this is the definitive Dragon Ball experience.


Pros:

+ The most characters a Dragon Ball game has ever seen.
+ Online Play.
+ Multiple Control Options.
+ Many Modes of Play.


Cons:


- Online can be pretty laggy.
- Significantly shorter Story Mode.
- No custom control setup.

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 12/12/07, Updated 12/17/07

Game Release: Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 3 (US, 12/03/07)