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Dragon Ball Z Budokai
Mixed or average reviews
Based on 16 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?
Based on 9 votes
Read user comments
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Game Info
Publisher: Atari
Developer: Dimps
Genre(s): Fighting, Action
Players: 2
ESRB Rating: T (Teen)
Release Date: October 28, 2003
Summary
Enter the Dragon Ball Z Budokai. A spectacular 3D world filled with the fiercest fighters the universe has ever known. Test your skills against the most powerful Dragon Ball Z heroes and the most sinister villains. Every battle is more intense, more dangerous, and more epic than the one before. Will you be the last warrior standing? [Atari]
Also On Metacritic
GAMES: Dragon Ball Z Budokai 2 Dragon Ball Z: Sagas
Cheat Codes & Hints: Cheat Code Central
Also On The Web: Official Website
What The Critics Said
All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...
GameSpy
A game with simplistic fighting and a tedious unlocking system, but it's a polished and faithful presentation of Dragon Ball Z with a fair amount of content.
Read Full Review >GameCube Europe
Easily the best game of their franchise, though mechanical engine flaws prevents this game to compete against the top brawlers such as the mighty "Soul Calibur."
Read Full Review >Game Informer
If you don't lust after balls of dragons, you'll see nothing more than a mediocre fighter with a really confusing plot and characters in dire need of haircuts. [Dec 2003, p.159]
Read Full Review >NintendoWorldReport
Despite it’s namesake, Budokai just can’t stand up to other fighting games.
Read Full Review >eToychest
Budokai’s forte is in it’s presentation – it manages to keep practically every bit of flavor that makes the Dragon Ball Z so popular.
Read Full Review >GamePro
Anyone who is at least remotely interested in the Dragon Ball Z craze should check out Budokai. For the rest of the bruiser club, however, you'll be sorely disappointed with this average brawler.
Read Full Review >Cheat Code Central
Compared to the PS2 version, this one is sharper, cleaner and overall more polished but not really to any astounding degree.
Next Level Gaming
Other then some updated graphics there is really nothing new here.
Read Full Review >GameSpot
It's a game that only a DBZ fan could love, but it's a proficient enough fighting game that others might like it.
Read Full Review >IGN
A combination of odd choices, like the illusion of flying, button mashing combos, and an overly simplified fighting engine, detract from what could have been an enjoyable, if not technically impressive, fighter -- whether you're a DBZ fan or not.
Read Full Review >GameZone
If the controls weren't stiff, and if the combo system wasn't so generic, I probably would have loved this game.
Read Full Review >Armchair Empire
Fans of Dragon Ball Z probably won’t care too much about some of the simpler fighting mechanics and the tedious method of unlocking all the capsules, but newcomers to the Dragon Ball Z universe will likely be left scratching their heads as to why the series is so popular.
Read Full Review >1UP
The graphics have improved since this game made its debut on the PS2. They still don't look great, with very plain character designs and horrendously boring backgrounds, but technically, the improvement makes this the better version of the game. If only by a little.
Read Full Review >Nintendo Power
The game works well as a button-masher, but it doesn't have the strategy elements and replayability of "Soul Calibur II." [Jan 2004, p.158]
Play Magazine
Budokai has style, but the substance is almost non-existent. [Nov 2003, p.92]
G4 TV
A mostly brainless fighter that manages to capture the magic and appeal of the source material.
Read Full Review >What Our Users Said
The average user rating for this game is 6.2 (out of 10) based on 9 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.
Forrest B. gave it an8:
the only down-side is it takes for ever to get a dragonball but when you get it its worth it
Scott H. gave it a 2:
Simply put this game is a discrace to all fighting games... it's too slow paced too incredibly easy and the only people who actually go out and buy it are dragonball z fans.
Muhammad A. gave it a 0:
Not a good game at all!.
Rj Ice gave it a 4:
Its okay. But to easy. should be longer and items should be easier to get.
Devin A. gave it a 10:
From most DBZ games i played in the past. They made the graphics, controling, and story. Budokai beats all fighting games.
Patricia A. gave it a 5:
This game is OK but it's too easy who ever came up with this game please make the next one Harder! To add on I beat it on hard mode too easy.
