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GC '07: DBZ: Budokai Tenkaichi 3 Impressions

Related Platforms:
  • PS2
  • Wii
By Joe Dodson, GameSpot, Posted Aug 23, 2007 11:13 pm GMT

We see what's new with Dragon Ball Z on the PS2 and Wii at Leipzig.

Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 3, a fighting game based on the popular manga and animated series of the same name, is currently in the works for the Wii and PlayStation 2. We got to check in on Namco Bandai's progress at the Leipzig Games Convention 2007. The first thing we noticed was the improved graphical fidelity. While Budokai Tenkaichi 2 was hardly a visual slouch, the sequel looks even better, with superior lighting effects on the big superpowers.

But this game hasn't just beefed up its graphical prowess; it will also include 160 playable characters, as well as 30 stages fans can use to experience their mightiest Dragon Ball fantasies. The Wii version seems to be the more exciting of the two, because players will be able to use the system's unique controller to throw special attacks not just with their thumbs, but with their entire arms.

For instance, we saw the presenter pull the Nunchuk all the way back, then push it forward to make his in-game character fire a devastating energy blast at his foe. This is certainly more intuitive than working with the analog sticks, and to make matters easier, prompts in the lower left corner of the screen will show you which gestures you can make to activate particular powers. That's helpful.

Once you master the controls, you'll be able to go online in the Wii version and challenge other members of the Budokai Tenkaichi community, possibly becoming the greatest Dragon Baller of all time. The Wii version is one of the first online Wii games, while the PS2 version will offer DFS (Disc Fusion System) instead. Here, you'll be able to insert previous Budokai Tenkaichi games and play them with Budokai Tenkaichi 3 characters. While it may not be as dynamic as playing online, it should be fun to play through the older games with the new characters.

However, new games need new modes, and this game will feature a What If...? Mode, with an alternate history for you to play through outside the normal series canon. While the developers didn't want to tell us what exactly might happen in this hypothetical Dragon Ball dimension, we're eager to find out more. Stay tuned, because this game should ship on November 13, 2007.

128 Comments

  • bk113

    Posted Nov 2, 2007 2:02 pm GMT

    I just cant wait there having gt goku and a character i didnt ever expect (kid chichi)

  • Ja-nem-ba

    Posted Oct 29, 2007 10:15 pm GMT

    Wow, indy. Just wow. I don't know why the don't have Super Saiyan three Vegeta in the game, maybe for the same reason they don't have a Purple Dinosaur or Super Saiyan four Raditz. Because DBZ itself doesn't ever show Super Saiyan three Vegeta, thats probably why. Like, I'm not even joking, thats the most stupid comment about DBZ related content I've ever heard. I'm being dead honest, I'm not just making fun of you. Like, his character would be based on nothing. What would be his Ultimate Finisher? The Final Flash? Play Super Saiyan two Vegeta if you want that. If it wasn't that, it would be some uninspired move that Vegeta used way back in the Saiyan Saga or something, like the Nappa-kill move, or Generic Blast # 7. Anyway, hopefully this game IS better than the mediocre Tenkaichi games, I really, really want to use Broly. P.S.: indybond, from this point forward, you cannot be known as a Dragon Ball Z fan.

  • indybond

    Posted Oct 23, 2007 6:51 pm GMT

    I wonder why they don't have a ss3 vegeta. Hope this game has him.

  • Rutgertjuhh

    Posted Oct 21, 2007 5:32 am GMT

    Ill buy them both and see which is better XD

  • mixalisg1

    Posted Oct 13, 2007 5:39 am GMT

    It will be the best DBZ game ever, and i can't wait to get it!!!!!!

  • DC1_24

    Posted Oct 10, 2007 9:02 pm GMT

    Cant wait this games gonna be awesome.

  • Lisandro_v22

    Posted Oct 8, 2007 10:08 am GMT

    budokai 3 was the last good one when I saw Tenkaichi for the first time I was hyped just because it was 3D but fights suck

  • sonic2010

    Posted Oct 6, 2007 3:44 am GMT

    blobs_mark_1 sory i ment the PS3.

  • shadowfox55

    Posted Oct 2, 2007 12:40 pm GMT

    Man the PS2 version needs online both games should be developed equally.

  • blobs_mark_1

    Posted Sep 29, 2007 1:20 pm GMT

    wicked i got all the dbz games (exept for super dbz) i loved the anime and the games prove to be even better, oh an the wii is a next gen console sonic 2010
    i want to know what the night mode is about sounds kool

  • sonic2010

    Posted Sep 29, 2007 4:14 am GMT

    i wish if namco make this game to the PS3 because we are on the next gen console.

  • mackdaddy1342

    Posted Sep 26, 2007 9:17 pm GMT

    I can't wait for this game to be released....I'm gonna miss a lot of class because of this game...

  • Chimchar313

    Posted Sep 26, 2007 4:38 pm GMT

    I think that they should make the Story mode the same way that they made it in the first Budokai Tenkaichi. I can not wait till this game comes out!! I am going to get it the first day it comes out!

  • BEYOND-CREATION

    Posted Sep 24, 2007 4:05 am GMT

    cant stop thinking about this games !!! very awsome !~ highly anticipated !

  • atrofiado

    Posted Sep 23, 2007 9:17 am GMT

    the games should be awesome. im waiting for it to come to europe to get it..

  • DarkspineSonic0

    Posted Sep 21, 2007 8:00 am GMT

    Cool! a new dragonball game, i am so getting this, after all my frien said Budokai Tenkaichi 2 was awesome, this'll be amazing, after all, i love DBZ 'cause of the battles, powers, and blasts. I wonder if u can fuse Freiza and Cooler.

  • Aarontan1

    Posted Sep 20, 2007 9:23 pm GMT

    Wow!, looks like a good dragonball game. I wonder if super saiyan 4 can be transform from normal Goku or Vegeta, instead of seperate like DBZ budokai Tenkaichi 2.

  • glennwinton

    Posted Sep 20, 2007 9:02 pm GMT

    hopefully this game will make up for the incredibly mediocre budokai tenaichi series, hopefully this will be like budokai 3 and actually be a good game
    (and chicks_boy, the budokai series only had one good game, budokai 3, the budokai tenkaichi series hasent had a good game yet, on any system

  • XxDaRkAnZeLxX

    Posted Sep 19, 2007 3:11 pm GMT

    wow... i really want to thanks namco for making on PS2 to someone who dont have PS3 or 360 or Wii yet...

  • Aarontan1

    Posted Sep 18, 2007 7:25 pm GMT

    It should be a good game. I have all DBZ games for PS2. I hope it will comes out on PS3.

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Game Info

  • Wii Release Info

    • Release Date: Dec 3, 2007
    • ESRB: T
      Titles rated T (Teen) have content that may be suitable for ages 13 and older.

  • PS2 Release Info

    • Release Date: Nov 13, 2007
    • ESRB: T
      Titles rated T (Teen) have content that may be suitable for ages 13 and older.

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GameSpot Fuse
    • Publisher(s): Atari
    • Developer(s): Spike
    • Genre: Action
    • Release: Nov 13, 2007 (US)
    • ESRB: T
    Platforms:
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