Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi

Cheat Code Central

Not only surpasses the Budokai series up to now, but shows us some new and great additions.

Worth Playing

The best DBZ fighting game I've personally played to date, and it's one that I'll gladly play alongside my repertoire of "dedicated" fighting games.

GamingTrend

This is easily an instant pickup for Dragon Ball Z fans. Fighting game fans should take a look at this title as well, as the amount of customization and number of characters mixed with strategy brings up DBZ: BT to a higher level over other fighting games.

GameZone

I really liked how the developers of Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi went “outside the box” when creating this game and didn’t stick to the formula that the other Budokai set up.

Gamers' Temple

It has a suitable cel-shaded look to it and reproduces the vibrant colors and crisp lines of the series quite well.

IGN

Throw in a massively deep list of modes and features, more than 50 playable characters, and customizable goodies for your fighters and you have everything necessary to please both Dragon Ball diehards and fighting game curiosos alike.

Gaming Target

Features a staggering amount of features despite the shortcomings of the gameplay.

Pelit (Finland)

What a nice surprise! A 3D beat 'em up that is both loyal to its license and fun to play. Technically impressive, too. [Dec 2005]

Console Gameworld

Amazing graphics and incredibly fun multiplayer.

GameBrink

The programmers used music from the anime and TV series but it’s a shame that some tunes didn’t make it in. The addition of English and Japanese voiceovers makes the experience great for the fans.

Thunderbolt

A wonderfully fun and addicting experience, offering tons of characters, modes, and everything else you could want in an anime-based video game. Just as its television forefather, this game has the makings for something great.

PSM Magazine

There's got to be a better control configuration. [Holiday 2005, p.82]

Jolt Online Gaming UK

It’s novel, it’s a good fighting game and it’s extremely well presented, but Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi is still one for the fans.

PALGN

The fourth Budokai game is the most accurate videogame rendition of Dragon Ball Z to date. It doesn't get much better than this.

Games Radar UK (Pre-2006)

With more drama than Tekken and more guts than Dead or Alive, Tenkaichi literally has more balls than any beat-'em-up released in the last 12 months. [GamesMaster]

TotalGames.net

The difficulty level is very high, even on baby-mode and the AI is no slouch on mixing up the special attacks. Fans will love the new additions and enormity of the game, although some might be put off by the pared down attacks but those new to the series may be put off by the rock hard difficulty level.

DarkStation

Hardcore DBZ fans would be happy with the new flying skills and bigger environments to traverse, but be mindful of its basic and shallow combat system.

GameSpy

If you're just a casual fighting game, or more specifically, a fan of Dragon Ball Z, Budokai Tenkaichi may be exactly what you're looking for.

Siliconera

What Dragon Ball Z: Sparkling ends up as is a good game for the millions of Dragon Ball fans out there even though it doesn’t have the general appeal of Dragon Ball Z: Budokai 3.

GameSpot

It has little in common with previous Budokai games, but there's still enough here to keep DBZ fans entertained.

Gamer 2.0

Tenkaichi is a genuine attempt at capturing the Dragon Ball essence, but in the end the complex, clunky gameplay and lack of previously offered features prevents the unlocking of any true potential.

GamePro

Tenkaichi succeeds in all the areas that DBZ fans love: brilliant, innovative graphics, a gajillion (more than 60, actually) playable characters from the beloved anime series, and (everyone together) Saiyans!

Official U.S. Playstation Magazine

The gameplay is a bit awkward and quite repetitive, but no game has captured the feel of Dragon Ball Z quite like this. [Jan 2006, p.92]

G4 TV

The visuals hit the mark, and there’s a huge roster of fighters here, but the odd camera work and control issues don’t work in the game’s favor.

Official Playstation 2 Magazine UK

Closely in tune with the spirit of the DBZ universe, which must be brilliant for some gamers, but if that means nothing to you then neither will this game. [Dec 2005, p.124]

GamerFeed

The game just fails to capture the energy of a true fighting game, and runs amuck of too many problems to really be considered as a purchase, unless you live DBZ and named your kid Kakarot.

Eurogamer

Given its level of difficulty, and general synaesthetic terrorism, my mind and body were woefully unequipped to deal with what Bandai had unleashed on me.

AceGamez

So the single player game is boring and the multiplayer is mundane and bland. What is left to enjoy about Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi then? Not much at all I'm afraid.

NTSC-uk

Although Tenkaichi does offer genuine enjoyment, if only briefly, it comes as small consolation for the relative merits of recent prequels, and while eager young gamers will be enthused, those looking for a more brain-busting and evolutionary experience shouldn’t expect too much.