*DISCLAIMER: This review concerns only the HD collection as a whole, and is not an in-depth analysis of the quality of either game included in the collection. I have reviewed both games individually, however this review will not necessarily be about the pros and cons of the games on their own.*
One of the strangest of the many "HD Collections" to hit seventh-generation consoles, "Dragon Ball Z Budokai HD Collection" comes with the first and third games in the series, but not the second. Huh, wonder why. Either way, this collection may have come as a bit of a surprise to a number of fans, but...it's here, in case you want to take a trip down memory lane! Is it a worthwhile trip? Eh.
"Dragon Ball Z Budokai HD Collection" restores the games in all their glory, and admittedly, the nostalgia is still there. These are two games that definitely feel faithful to the original series, and "Budokai 3" specifically has aged quite well, to the point where it's still fun to play. The HD facelift also brings out the colorful visuals in both games.
However, the "HD Collection" comes with that wonderful border that compresses the resolution (you know what I'm talking about), which I'm never a fan of in any "HD Collection." And, on top of that, the collection is only really worthwhile to play "Budokai 3" again because, as neither game has really changed all that much, the original "Budokai" shows its age and then some in this collection. It kind of makes me wish that they just gave "Budokai 3" the HD facelift on its own without the first game. If they were so willing to exclude the second game, why did they include the first in all of its age?
All in all, this is definitely a "for nostalgic/hardcore fans only" kind of collection. If you're not a hardcore "Dragon Ball Z" fan - or you're not interested in taking a nostalgia trip - don't bother with this collection. Had it been just "Budokai 3," this faithful remaster would come highly recommended, but since half of the collection is utterly pointless, aged, and not that great, I have to admit that it isn't worth spending your money on this. Just dust off the old PS2 and play the original games. You'll be perfectly happy, and your wallet will thank you later.
Final rating: 5 out of 10 "Hmm..."