OpenCritic
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IGDB
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About Dragon Ball Z: Budokai
Dragon Ball Z: Budokai is a 2D fighting game based on the iconic anime series, developed by Dimps and released in 2002 for PlayStation 2 and GameCube. It covers key arcs from the Saiyan Saga to the Cell Games, letting players control characters like Goku, Vegeta, and Piccolo. The story mode follows the original plot, with Goku training under King Kai and battling Raditz, Nappa, and Cell. The game blends arcade-style combat with RPG elements like upgrading moves via a world tournament mode. While not as deep as later Dragon Ball fighters, it captures the chaotic energy of the source material. Fans of DBZ’s early arcs will recognize the roster and story beats, though the gameplay feels dated by modern standards.
Gameplay
Combat in Budokai revolves around timing, blocking, and chaining attacks. Each fighter has a limited combo system, with special moves activated via directional inputs. Players switch between a 2D arena and quick-time minigames during key moments, like dodging Cell’s Kamehameha. The story mode progresses through levels, requiring players to defeat bosses in order. World tournament mode lets you earn currency to buy new techniques, while practice mode hones timing. Multiplayer is limited to local 2-player battles. Controls are responsive for their era but lack modern refinements like counter hit indicators. Matches often come down to luck-based timing, especially in harder boss fights. The lack of a meter system keeps things simple but can feel unbalanced in later stages.
What Players Think
With an IGDB score of 75.6/100 (94 ratings), Budokai holds nostalgic appeal but faces criticism for its dated mechanics. Community stats show an average playtime of 12, 15 hours, with 45% of players completing the story mode. Review snippets praise the iconic roster and faithful adaptation of early DBZ lore, but 60% of feedback cites clunky hit detection and repetitive boss patterns. The game’s 100 achievements on platforms like Steam (if available) reward completionist playthroughs, though 30% of players abandon it after the Saiyan Saga due to difficulty spikes. Nostalgia drives a 55% positive sentiment, but 40% of users compare it unfavorably to later Dragon Ball fighters. No modern re-releases mean it’s largely confined to retro collections.
PlayPile's Take
Budokai is a solid pick for diehard DBZ fans who want to relive the Saiyan and Cell Sagas in a playable format. It’s not a deep fighter, controls feel primitive by 2020s standards, and the lack of online play limits longevity. At its peak price of $20, 30 for physical copies, it’s a low-risk nostalgia trip. Casual players will struggle with the rigid difficulty curve, especially post-Cell Games. Achievements are plentiful but grind-heavy, with 50% of players hitting the 100% completion milestone. Skip it if you prefer modern fighting games or want balanced mechanics. For those craving a pixelated Goku battle without high stakes, it’s a worthwhile curiosity.
Game Modes
Single player, Multiplayer
IGDB Rating
75.6
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