Dragon Ball Z Budokai HD Collection

 Xbox 360
Metascore
63

Mixed or average reviews - based on 14 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 14
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 14
  3. Negative: 3 out of 14
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  1. GamingTrend
    Jan 8, 2013
    86
    If you are a fan of Budokai 3, then this might be a good way to relive those memories without getting out a PS2 and hooking it up again.
  2. InsideGamer.nl
    Nov 26, 2012
    75
    The Dragon Ball Z Budokai HD Collection is a great collection. The first games are just the starter for the exemplary main dish: Budokai 3. Everything you'd expect in a Dragon Ball game is present, without destroying the balance of the game.
  3. COGconnected
    Nov 21, 2012
    75
    Even if you find yourself to be less of a Dragon Ball Z fan and more of an achievement junky with a sweet tooth for fighters, that alone should give you reason enough to give this HD collection a shot.
  5. GameOver.gr
    Nov 27, 2012
    70
    While it's ideal for fans of the franchise, the absence of the second game and some dated mechanics in the fighting system are serious cons.
  6. Gaming Nexus
    Nov 27, 2012
    70
    This HD collection gives players the Dragon Ball Z game they've been asking for ... and also brings the original Budokai along for the ride. Dragon Ball Z: Budokai HD Collection delivers the action you expect, and not much more. A few questionable design decisions, shallow fighting mechanics and a complete lack of online play makes this yet another disappointing HD compilation!
  7. Gamers' Temple
    Nov 10, 2012
    70
    This collection won't make everyone happy, but for the people it tantalizes the wait for next year's new movie will be a little more bearable.
  8. Cheat Code Central
    Nov 7, 2012
    68
    Dragon Ball Z Budokai HD made me realize something: All I ever really wanted was a DBZ fighting game. Sure, all the newer Dragon Ball Z releases are cool, but the simple mechanics and customization of DBZ Budokai 3 (and to a lesser extent, 1) was far more enjoyable that the cinematic systems of newer games.
  9. Meristation
    Nov 7, 2012
    60
    Dragon Ball Z Budokai HD Collection is a nice package game just for those collectors or DBZ enthusiasts who want to get every game based on Akira Toriyama's franchise. The core is the same: the two original games from the PS2 with an HD upgrade and trophy/achievement support. And that's all: no online play o extra modes. Just for collectors.
  10. Games Master UK
    Dec 18, 2012
    58
    No plaudits for Namco Bandai here - they've put minimal effort into Budokai HD Collection. [Jan 2013, p.86]
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  11. GameCritics
    Jan 16, 2013
    55
    Anyone looking for a deep, complex brawler is best be served elsewhere, but fans looking for some Super Saiya-jin action or younger folks that just want to button-mash will find something here to like.
  12. Multiplayer.it
    Nov 13, 2012
    55
    Dragon Ball Z Budokai HD Collection brings together two very old DBZ beat'em-ups, only adding HD resolution to the mix. The result, as you may expect, is disappointing.
  13. GameFocus
    Jan 13, 2013
    45
    Even though it was given a resolution increase, you still can't play the game widescreen, and porting the 10 year old graphics and physics engine doesn't make it better.
  14. MondoXbox
    Nov 27, 2012
    45
    A lazy straight-to-HD porting, inexplicably missing the second game in the series, with control problems and issues like the Playstation controls shown on the Xbox 360 version.
  15. XGN
    Nov 8, 2012
    45
    We found Dragon Ball Z: Budokai HD Collection to be boring and incredibly monotonous. Dragon Ball Z used to be a great television series, an awesome franchise. But what is left is something that will most probably only appeal to twenty-something men in search of nostalgia.

Awards & Rankings

90
#90 Most Shared Xbox 360 Game of 2012

User Reviews

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User Score
8.3

Generally favorable reviews- based on 42 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 32 out of 42
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 42
  3. Negative: 3 out of 42
  1. PP7Silenced
    Nov 15, 2012
    9
    Short and sweet: This is a collection consisting of DBZ action in it's purest form. No filler, no gimmicky customization, and no odd ballShort and sweet: This is a collection consisting of DBZ action in it's purest form. No filler, no gimmicky customization, and no odd ball gameplay mechanics trying to make it feel fresh. A collection representing the best of the Dragon Ball Z representation in the video game world. Worth buying for the fans. The only thing holding this collection this from being truly amazing and a must own for fighter fans in general is the absence of Budokai 2.… Full Review »
  2. Eggroll
    Jan 19, 2013
    6
    Dragon Ball Z is undoubtedly one of the best anime series of all time, many games were spawned off this franchise but the most well knowDragon Ball Z is undoubtedly one of the best anime series of all time, many games were spawned off this franchise but the most well know series of games were the Budokai series. As far as the collection goes, it isn't great but its far from bad. Budokai 3 still proves itself to be one of the standout games of its generation still holding its own against many great fighting games of today. Budokai 1 however has not aged as well, it feels sloppy and slow in comparison to the great Budokai 3. The absence of Budokai 2 is also a downfall of the collection as it is named "Budokai HD collection". The one thing that did bug me though was the music, entirely new music was used instead of sticking to the original tracks. Though these songs aren't bad the take away from the nostalgic feel of the games. Overall this collection is good but feels like a quick cash grab to a franchise that is struggling to stay alive. Budokai 3 is still great but Budokai 1 feels lacking. The absence of Budokai 2 and the original music do detract from the experience but don't entirely destroy the game. Hopefully the money they make from this release can but put towards a great fighting game for the Xbox 360 and PS3.… Full Review »
  3. torak11
    Jun 16, 2014
    9
    Simply put, the games of this collection are what DBZ Games should be. Simple to understand, easy to pick up and hard to put down again. EachSimply put, the games of this collection are what DBZ Games should be. Simple to understand, easy to pick up and hard to put down again. Each game offers a decent sized roster of fighters, all of which are recognizable characters from the dragon ball universe. The mechanics of each game are easy to understand and adapt to, especially the ones in Budokai 3 which eliminates spamming and severely decreases button mashing. Thanks to those tweaks, a newbie player can provide good competition to an expert or veteran player. My only gripes with this HD Collection are the fact that Budokai 2 is not part of the collection and the music has been changed. However, those two factors are not even close to turn offs, especially seeing as the music was changed due to kenji yamato (the guy responsible for the original music) was accused of plagiarism and in turn fired. Thus, the original music as removed and replaced to prevent future issues with copyright claims/ accusations of plagiarism.

    In the end, this is a game any fighting game fan will enjoy, and any DBZ fan will enjoy even more. Definitely a must-have for xbox 360.    … Full Review »
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