Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 2
From Dragon Ball Wiki, the ''Dragon Ball'' encyclopedia
Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 2, known as Dragon Ball Z: Sparking! NEO in Japan, is a fighting game released on the PlayStation 2 and on the Wii. It is the sequel to Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi.
The Wii version was confirmed as being a launch title in the US for November 19, 2006 in an IGN interview with Atari[1] though some stores in the US started selling the Wii version on November 15, 2006. A recent issue of V-Jump listed January 2007 as the release date for the Japanese version of the Wii release with an additional six characters and an extra stage. The game was released in Europe on March 30, 2007, but was delayed in Australia until April 5, 2007. Both the European and Australian versions have the extra features of the Japanese Wii version. Its sequel is Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 3.
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[edit] Gameplay
There are 129 playable characters in most versions of the game and 135 in the Japanese and PAL Wii versions. All characters featured in the previous game are available in this game as well. Battles can now involve up to ten characters fighting one at a time on the battle field, with one teammate coming in after the other has been knocked out or when the player wishes to switch to another fighter. This is referring to Free Battle options.
Most versions of the game have 16 large arenas (11 of which are taken from the previous Budokai Tenkaichi game). The Japanese and PAL Wii versions have 17 with the inclusion of a new space level, and 9 game modes. The game also features in game transformations, in addition to being able to choose to play in a transformed state from the start. In order to transform, you must press R3 (1 on Wii) and Left/Up/Right to select the form you want. One may also press Down + R3 (Down + 1) to revert back to their original state (Only transformations that have shown that they can be undone in the anime can do this). Fusions can be performed in-battle as well, and it is performed the same way as tag teams and transformations except that you have to press L2 (Z). Fusion can only be done in Tag battles and Free battles, and the player must have the suitable character as a Tag partner. For example, base Goku and Vegeta (second form) to form Vegito. If that fused character has a second or third form, you can press R3 + L2 + Up (Z + 1 + Up) or Right to transform into that different form. A customizer has been made to change the characters. The Dueling Mode features a 'Battle Settings' option, where you can adjust the dueling time, COM difficulty level, and set the In-Game Transformations on or off during gameplay.
The Wii version of the game features a unique control scheme using the system's remote controller. Using the motion sensing controller, players are able to control their fighters by carrying a remote/nunchuk combo and mimicking moves from the series. Players are able to choose whether they wish to use the Wii Remote and Nunchuk, the Wii Classic Controller, or a GameCube controller. [1]
Dragon Adventure is the main mode of the game which covers Dragon Ball Z to Dragon Ball GT, also including many of the movies. The outcome of the battles in the mode changes the course of the story. In this mode, new powers, characters, and "what-if" type scenes, similar to the ones in Dragon Ball Z: Budokai are unlocked. The player uses a character around Earth and Namek looking for Dragon Balls, skill capsules and opponents.
Another mode, Ultimate Battle Z, uses a system where the player selects a type of battle and progresses up a pillar similar to the Mortal Kombat system. Each pillar has a specific theme and condition. By beating a pillar, the player earns a score, items, and more pillars.
[edit] Playable characters
Returning characters | |||||
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New Characters | |||||
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[edit] Voice cast
[edit] Reception
Publication | Score | |
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PS2 Version | ||
VG Resource Center | 7.5 of 10[2] | |
IGN | 8.3 of 10[3] | |
1UP | 8 of 10[4] | |
Yahoo! Games | 3.5 of 5[5] | |
GameZone | 8.1 of 10[6] | |
Gamespot | 6.5 of 10[7] | |
Wii Version | ||
IGN | 8.3 of 10[8] | |
Game Trailers | 8 of 10[9] | |
Review compilations (PS2 Version) | ||
Game Rankings | 76.3% (based on 40 reviews)[10] | |
Metacritic | 78% (based on 16 reviews)[11] | |
Review compilations (Wii Version) | ||
Game Rankings | 72.9% (based on 32 reviews)[12] | |
Metacritic | 76% (based on 7 reviews)[13] |
Critical reaction has been mixed. Numerous reviews praised the game's high fighter count and detailed cel-shaded graphics, as well as the high amount of fan-service to DBZ fans. Some people, however, have taken issue with the game's complex controls. Mark Bozon at IGN said "The sheer speed and complexity of the controls may turn some people off, but the general combat will eventually come down to two buttons, making the game amazingly easy to learn, but nearly impossible to fully master." Many have said that the game is a "DBZ fan's wet dream," with VGRC.net stating "non-DBZ fighting game fans might even want to give it a spin as well." The game received the 'Best Fighting Game of the Year' award from X-Play, which is surprising since most Dragon Ball Z games are rated from mediocre to poor in their ranking system. The only notable exception is Dragon Ball Z: Budokai 3 which received a four out of five. This game also received a four out of five from X-Play.
[edit] Gallery
[edit] Trivia
- Unlike its predecessor, Tenkaichi 2 refers to Bulla by her correct English name.
- In Tenkaichi 1, sometimes before a battle, Jeice will say "Don't play stupid with me, wanker!" The "wanker" is cut out of Tenkaichi 2 and Tenkaichi 3, though the "w" can clearly be heard spoken after he says "Don't play stupid with me!"
- In the What-If saga Beautiful Treachery, during one scene, the English narrator says "Suddenly, Goku vanished. Krillin had used the Dragon Balls to teleport him back to Earth." But the text box incorrectly says "Right after, Goku disappeared. Actually, Krillin had asked Shenron for Instant Transmission."
- In the What-If saga Destined Rivals, Hercule fights 18 just like he does in the final round of the tournament in the anime, except in this What-If story, the tournament proceeds as planned.
- This is the first game to include filler characters, such as Pikkon and Garlic Jr. However, both appear in movies, and are placed with the movie characters (though Garlic Jr.'s role in the game was that of the anime).
- Full 3D models of Fortuneteller Baba, Babidi, and Old Kai appear in the Adventure mode.
- Though the names of all the characters are spelled right on the character selection screen, some text boxes incorrectly spell Vegito's name "Vegeto".
- On the Wii Version of the game, the game case says that you can only play with the Wii Remote and the Nunchuck, or the Classic Controller. In the game, you can play with the Wii Remote and the Nunchuck, the Classic Controller, or the GameCube Controller.
- When in tournaments, Supreme Kai's and Kibitoshin's names in the text box appearing just before and after battle read "Shin," which is the identity he enters the 25th World Tournament under.
- For comical relief, the Dragon Ball GT part of Adventure mode ended with Goku as an adult deciding to have lunch and Vegeta mentioning his annoying behavior as if nothing happened.
- If Zangya is matched with Android 18, Zangya will say, "Your man is kinda cute," In response, Android 18 calls Zangya a "skank." This was removed in Tenkaichi 3.
- If Super Sayain 3 Gotenks is tagged out in a tag battle, he will say "Peanut-butter jelly time!" as a reference to the popular Internet meme.
- If Zangya beats Krillin or Master Roshi, she says "Don't cha wish your girlfriend was tough like me? Don't cha?" based on the song by the Pussycat Dolls and Busta Rhymes.
- Early videos of the game showed health bars identical to that of the first Tenkaichi game as well as Goku being able to transform into a Super Saiyan 4. However, the health bar was changed and SS4 Goku was made a separate character before the game's release.
[edit] Notes and references
- ↑ IGN interview with Atari
- ↑ VGRC review of DBZ Budokai Tenkaichi 2 (PS2). URL retrieved 2 December 2006.
- ↑ IGN review of DBZ Budokai Tenkaichi 2 (PS2). URL retrieved 2 December 2006.
- ↑ 1UP review of DBZ Budokai Tenkaichi 2 (PS2). URL retrieved 2 December 2006.
- ↑ Yahoo! Games review of DBZ Budokai Tenkaichi 2 (PS2). URL retrieved 2 December 2006.
- ↑ GameZone review of DBZ Budokai Tenkaichi 2 (PS2). URL retrieved 2 December 2006.
- ↑ Gamespot review of DBZ Budokai Tenkaichi 2 (PS2). URL retrieved 6 December 2006.
- ↑ IGN review of DBZ Budokai Tenkaichi 2 (Wii). URL retrieved 2 December 2006.
- ↑ Game Trailers review of DBZ Budokai Tenkaichi 2 (Wii). URL retrieved 15 November 2006.
- ↑ GameRankings.com page for DBZ Budokai Tenkaichi 2 (PS2). URL retrieved 2 December 2006.
- ↑ Metacritic on DBZ Budokai Tenkaichi 2 (PS2). URL accessed 2 December 2006.
- ↑ GameRankings.com page for DBZ Budokai Tenkaichi 2 (Wii). URL retrieved December 2 2006.
- ↑ Metacritic on DBZ Budokai Tenkaichi 2 (PS2). URL accessed 2 December 2006.
[edit] External links
- Official Website
- Official Atari Website (Wii Version)
- Official Atari US Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 2 forum
- Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 2 at IGN (Wii version)