Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 3

🔥 What is Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 3

Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 3 is an arena-style fighting game developed by Spike and published by Bandai Namco, released in 2007 on PlayStation 2 and Nintendo Wii. As the third entry in the Budokai Tenkaichi series, it refines the formula established by its predecessors with faster combat, smoother animations, and an unparalleled character roster. The game is best remembered for its staggering amount of playable fighters, which at the time set a new benchmark for licensed anime fighting games.

Set in the colorful and action-packed universe of Dragon Ball Z, the game faithfully adapts iconic battles and story arcs from the manga and anime. Players can re-experience legendary confrontations like Goku versus Frieza or Majin Vegeta’s tragic duel, but also dive into alternate “What if” scenarios that imagine entirely new outcomes. This mixture of canon storytelling and creative reinterpretation makes the game feel both authentic and refreshing.

The core appeal lies in its sheer scale and dynamism, capturing the essence of Dragon Ball Z battles: large open arenas, fast-paced aerial combat, explosive ki attacks, and destructive environments. Few games before or since have managed to replicate the raw chaos and intensity of these fights while also offering such depth of choice in how players approach them.

👉 Features of Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 3

Massive Character Roster

The game boasts one of the largest rosters in any fighting game, featuring more than 150 characters across the Dragon Ball saga. From major icons like Goku, Vegeta, and Piccolo to obscure fighters such as Arale or King Cold, the variety ensures nearly every fan can find their personal favorite.

Expansive Story Modes

Budokai Tenkaichi 3 includes not only the main Z Saga but also content from Dragon Ball, Dragon Ball GT, and even select movie villains. The “Dragon History” mode lets players relive classic arcs, while the “Dragon Mission” mode introduces challenging scenarios and surprises that extend replay value.

Destructive Arenas and Dynamic Weather

Stages are not static backdrops but living environments. Players can smash opponents into mountains, blast them across cities, or watch the battlefield change under different times of day and weather conditions. These details enhance immersion and make fights feel unpredictable and cinematic.

Multiple Game Modes

In addition to story campaigns, the game offers Duel Mode, World Tournament Mode, and Survival Mode. Each provides a different flavor of combat, with unique rules and rewards that encourage experimentation. Local multiplayer battles remain a core highlight, turning living rooms into intense battlegrounds.

Customization and Progression

Players can equip their fighters with items and abilities to tailor strengths and weaknesses. This light RPG-like system allows a degree of personal expression, ensuring battles feel more strategic than just button-mashing chaos.

Gameplay

Arena Combat and Freedom of Movement

Unlike traditional 2D fighters, Budokai Tenkaichi 3 emphasizes three-dimensional freedom. Players can fly across massive arenas, teleport behind enemies, or unleash long-range energy barrages. This freedom makes combat less about tight combos and more about spatial awareness and timing.

Transformations and Power Ups

Iconic transformations like Super Saiyan forms or Frieza’s evolutions are seamlessly integrated into battles. Transformations can drastically shift the pace of combat, often turning the tide in desperate moments. This mechanic adds both visual flair and strategic weight.

Advanced Combat Mechanics

While accessible for newcomers, the game has hidden depth. Counters, dash cancels, and beam struggles create moments of high tension where split-second decisions matter. Mastering these mechanics rewards players with exhilarating victories that feel earned rather than accidental.

Local Multiplayer and Replayability

One of the defining features is couch multiplayer, where friends can pick their dream lineups and stage epic clashes. The sheer size of the roster and number of stages ensure replayability, making every match slightly different from the last.

Accessibility with Depth

The game strikes a rare balance: easy enough for casual fans of the anime, but deep enough to satisfy fighting game enthusiasts. This dual appeal is a major reason why it remains beloved nearly two decades later.

Graphics

Faithful Anime Art Style

Budokai Tenkaichi 3 embraces cel-shaded graphics that bring Akira Toriyama’s art to life. The bright colors, sharp outlines, and exaggerated effects perfectly capture the look and feel of the anime series, making every battle resemble an episode in motion.

Fluid Animations and Signature Attacks

Characters are animated with care, ensuring signature moves like Kamehameha or Final Flash feel authentic. Beam struggles and cinematic finishers give battles an extra punch of drama and spectacle, immersing players in the world they know from television.

Environmental Detail and Effects

Each stage is packed with small details, from crashing waves to burning craters left by energy blasts. Weather effects such as thunderstorms or evening skies add variety and mood, making fights visually distinct even in familiar arenas.

Performance and Presentation

On both PlayStation 2 and Wii, the game runs smoothly despite its scale. Load times are short, menus are clean, and the presentation feels cohesive. For its era, the game was an impressive technical achievement, especially given its sheer scope.

Pros and Cons

✔️ Pros

• Enormous roster with unmatched character variety for Dragon Ball fans.
• Dynamic arenas with destructible environments and atmospheric weather effects.
• Faithful anime-inspired art style and authentic attack animations.
• Multiple modes that extend replayability beyond simple versus battles.
• Easy to pick up but rewarding for skilled players.

❌ Cons

• Story mode presentation feels minimal compared to modern cinematic standards.
• Some characters feel redundant due to transformations taking roster slots.
• AI can be inconsistent, swinging between overly passive and unfairly aggressive.