In 2007, Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 3 didn’t just release on PlayStation 2, it perfected the art of virtual Saiyan combat. As the final entry in Spike’s Budokai Tenkaichi series, this game remains the gold standard for Dragon Ball fighting games, offering an unrivaled roster, explosive 3D battles, and sheer fan service that modern titles still struggle to match. Whether you’re a casual fan or a competitive warrior, BT3 delivers the purest Dragon Ball experience ever coded.
Gameplay: Chaos in the Hyperbolic Time Chamber
Budokai Tenkaichi 3 ditches traditional 2D fighting for fully 3D, arena based combat that mimics the anime’s high speed clashes. Key features:
True to Anime Mechanics:
Beam Struggles – Lock ki blasts in real time, mashing buttons to overpower foes.
Vanishing Dashes – Teleport behind enemies mid combo like the show.
Destructible Stages – Knock opponents through mountains, cities, and even space.
Ultimate Moves – Every character has signature attacks (Spirit Bomb, Final Flash) with cinematic cut-ins.
Z Battle Gate – A massive mission mode with “what if” scenarios (e.g., Gohan vs. Broly).
161 Character Roster – Every major (and obscure) fighter from DB, DBZ, DBGT, and even movies, from Goku to Arale Norimaki.
The combat is easy to learn, hard to master, simple button inputs for flashy combos, but deep mechanics (ki management, guard crushing) for pros.
Content: A Dragon Ball Encyclopedia
Dragon History: Relive the entire DBZ saga through story battles with anime cut-scenes.
Tournament Mode: Fight through World Tournament rules (ring outs allowed!).
Customization: Equip Z Items to tweak stats (e.g., Kaio Ken x20 time limit).
Local Multiplayer: 2 player VS battles are still unmatched for couch chaos.
Graphics & Presentation: PS2 Pushed to Its Limits
Cel Shaded Models: Characters look ripped from the anime, with fluid transformations (SSJ to SSJ3, Great Ape).
Stage Variety: Destroy Kami’s Lookout, freeze enemies on Ice Continent, or fight in Other World’s void.
Soundtrack: Original score mixes orchestral hype with synth beats for maximum nostalgia.
Legacy: Why It’s Still the King
Modern Comparisons: Dragon Ball FighterZ excels in 2D, but BT3 owns 3D battles.
Speedruns: The fastest DBZ game ever, no loading between combo strings.
Modding Community: Still active, adding DBS characters and stages.
Final Verdict: The definitive Dragon Ball simulator that turns anime dreams into controller smashing reality
★★★★★ (5/5)
Budokai Tenkaichi 3 is the ultimate DBZ power trip, a love letter to fans that balances depth, spectacle, and pure fun.
Best For: DBZ fans, fighting game casuals, or anyone who’s yelled “IT’S OVER 9000!”
Flaws (Nitpicks):
Roster Bloat, some fighters (like different versions of Goku) feel copied and pasted just to make the roster seem bigger.
No Online Local only multiplayer.
Skip If: You prefer Street Fighter style 2D fighters.
