| Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 2 | |
|---|---|
| |
| Developer(s) | Spike |
| Publisher(s) | JP/EU Namco Bandai NA Atari |
| Series | Budokai Tenkaichi series |
| Release date(s) | PlayStation 2
JAP October 5, 2006 |
| Genre(s) | Versus fighting |
| Mode(s) | Single-player, multiplayer |
| Rating(s) | ESRB: T PEGI: 12+ CERO: A |
| Platform(s) | PlayStation 2, Wii |
| Media | DVD, Wii Optical Disc |
| Input | DualShock 2, Wii Remote and Nunchuk, Classic Controller, GameCube Controller |
| Video games Listing - Category | |
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.
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.
Zangya beats Krillin
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.
Controls[]
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, an example being the Kamehameha or Galick Gun . Players are able to choose whether they wish to use the Wii Remote and Nunchuk, the Wii Classic Controller, or a GameCube controller.[2]
Modes[]
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 that is 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.
Playable characters[]
| Returning Characters | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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| New Characters | |||||
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Voice cast[]
| Character Name | Voice Actor (Japanese) | V.A. (U.S. English) |
|---|---|---|
| Goku | Masako Nozawa | Sean Schemmel |
| Vegeta | Ryo Horikawa | Christopher R. Sabat |
| Piccolo | Toshio Furukawa | Christopher R. Sabat |
| Krillin | Mayumi Tanaka | Sonny Strait |
| Yamcha | Toru Furuya | Christopher R. Sabat |
| Tien Shinhan | Hirotaka Suzuoki | John Burgmeier |
| Chiaotzu | Hiroko Emori | Monika Antonelli |
| Kid Gohan | Masako Nozawa | Stephanie Nadolny |
| Teen Gohan | Masako Nozawa | Stephanie Nadolny |
| Gohan | Masako Nozawa | Kyle Hebert |
| Great Saiyaman | Masako Nozawa | Kyle Hebert |
| Future Trunks | Takeshi Kusao | Eric Vale |
| Kid Trunks | Takeshi Kusao | Laura Bailey |
| Goten | Masako Nozawa | Kara Edwards |
| Gotenks | Masako Nozawa Takeshi Kusao |
Laura Bailey Kara Edwards |
| Vegito | Masako Nozawa Ryo Horikawa |
Sean Schemmel Christopher Sabat |
| Gogeta | Masako Nozawa Ryo Horikawa |
Sean Schemmel Christopher R. Sabat |
| Raditz | Shigeru Chiba | Justin Cook |
| Nappa | Shōzō Iizuka | Phil Parsons |
| Saibamen | Toru Furuya | John Burgmeier |
| Zarbon | Sho Hayami | Christopher R. Sabat |
| Dodoria | Yukitoshi Hori | Chris Forbis |
| Cui | Kōji Totani | Bill Townsley |
| Captain Ginyu | Hideyuki Hori | Brice Armstrong |
| Recoome | Kenji Utsumi | Christopher R. Sabat |
| Burter | Yukimasa Kishino | Christopher R. Sabat |
| Jeice | Kazumi Tanaka | Christopher R. Sabat |
| Guldo | Kōzō Shioya | Bill Townsley |
| Frieza | Ryūsei Nakao | Linda Young |
| Android 13 | Moriya Endō | Chuck Huber |
| Android 16 | Hikaru Midorikawa | Jeremy Inman |
| Android 17 | Shigeru Nakahara | Chuck Huber |
| Android 18 | Miki Itō | Meredith McCoy |
| Android 19 | Yukitoshi Hori | Phillip Wilburn |
| Android 20 | Kōji Yada | Kent Williams |
| Cell | Norio Wakamoto | Dameon Clarke, credited as Dartanian Nickleback |
| Cell Jr.s | Hirotaka Suzuoki | Justin Cook |
| Dabura | Ryūzaburō Ōtomo | Rick Robertson |
| Majin Buu | Kōzō Shioya | Josh Martin |
| Evil Buu | Kōzō Shioya | Josh Martin |
| Super Buu | Kōzō Shioya | Justin Cook |
| Kid Buu | Kōzō Shioya | Josh Martin |
| Hercule | Daisuke Gōri | Chris Rager |
| Videl | Yuko Minaguchi | Kara Edwards |
| Supreme Kai | Yuji Mitsuya | Kent Williams |
| Kibito Kai | Yuji Mitsuya | Kent Williams |
| Bardock | Masako Nozawa | Sonny Strait |
| Garlic Jr. | Shigeru Chiba | Chuck Huber |
| Turles | Masako Nozawa | Chris Patton |
| Lord Slug | Yūsaku Yara | Brice Armstrong |
| Cooler | Ryūsei Nakao | Andrew Chandler |
| Salza | Sho Hayami | MIchael Marco |
| Broly | Bin Shimada | Vic Mignogna |
| Bojack | Tesshō Genda | Bob Carter |
| Zangya | Tomoko Maruo | Colleen Clinkenbeard |
| Pikkon | Hikaru Midorikawa | Kyle Hebert |
| Janemba | Tesshō Genda | Jim Foronda |
| Janemba | Tesshō Genda | Kent Williams |
| Tapion | Hiro Yuuki | Jason Liebrecht |
| Hirudegarn | Shin Aomori | Robert McCollum |
| Pan | Yuko Minaguchi | Elise Baughman |
| Giru | Shinobu Satouchi | Sonny Strait |
| Uub | Atsushi Kisaichi | Sean Michael Teague |
| Baby Vegeta | Yusuke Numata | Mike McFarland |
| Super 17 | Shigeru Nakahara | Chuck Huber |
| Syn Shenron/Omega Shenron | Hidekatsu Shibata | Bob Carter/Christopher R. Sabat |
| Great Ape | Yasuhiko Kawazu | Shane Ray |
| Kid Goku | Masako Nozawa | Stephanie Nadolny |
| Master Roshi | Hiroshi Masuoka | Mike McFarland |
| Grandpa Gohan | Osamu Saka | Christopher R. Sabat |
| Yajirobe | Mayumi Tanaka | Mike McFarland |
| Mercenary Tao | Chikao Ōtsuka | Kent Williams |
| Pilaf | Shigeru Chiba | Chuck Huber |
| Bulma | Hiromi Tsuru | Tiffany Vollmer |
| Bulla | Hiromi Tsuru | Brina Palencia |
| Mr. Popo | Toku Nishio | Christopher R. Sabat |
| Elder Kai | Reizō Nomoto | Kent Williams |
| Babidi | Jōji Yanami | Duncan Brennan |
| Chi-Chi | Naoko Watanabe | Cynthia Cranz |
| Puar | Naoko Watanabe | Monika Antonelli |
| Korin | Naoki Tatsuta | Christopher R. Sabat |
| King Kai | Jōji Yanami | Sean Schemmel |
| Baba | Junpei Takiguchi | Linda Young |
| Shenron | Kenji Utsumi | Christopher R. Sabat |
| Porunga | Junpei Takiguchi | Christopher R. Sabat |
| Narrator | Jōji Yanami | Kyle Hebert |
Reception & Sales[]
| Publication | Score | |
|---|---|---|
| PS2 Version | ||
| VG Resource Center | 7.5 of 10[3] | |
| IGN | 8.3 of 10[4] | |
| 1UP | 8 of 10[5] | |
| Yahoo! Games | 3.5 of 5[6] | |
| GameZone | 8.1 of 10[7] | |
| Gamespot | 6.5 of 10[8] | |
| Wii Version | ||
| IGN | 8.3 of 10[9] | |
| Game Trailers | 8 of 10[10] | |
| Review compilations (PS2 Version) | ||
| Game Rankings | 76.3% (based on 40 reviews)[11] | |
| Metacritic | 78% (based on 16 reviews)[12] | |
| Review compilations (Wii Version) | ||
| Game Rankings | 71.9% (based on 32 reviews)[13] | |
| Metacritic | 76% (based on 7 reviews)[14] | |
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.
The game became Namco Bandai's top-selling game of 2006, selling 1.18 million units in its first year.[15]
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" section of the sentence 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 using anime character names on the character selection screen, some text boxes use Vegito's manga name "Vegetto".
- 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 Saiyan 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 Super Saiyan 4 Goku was made a separate character before the game's release.
- If you engage in battle Kid Buu using Super Saiyan 4 Goku, Goku will say "I've gotten a little bit stronger since last time".
References[]
- ↑ IGN interview with Atari
- ↑ "Dragon Ball Z: Tenkaichi 2 Hands-on" at ign.com
- ↑ 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.
- ↑ Namco Bandai annual profit up 71 percent, gamespot.com
| Dragon Ball video games | |||||||
| Action-adventure games | |||||||
| Origins series | Origins • Origins 2 | ||||||
| Super Gokuden series | Super Gokuden: Totsugeki-Hen • Super Gokuden: Kakusei-Hen | ||||||
| The Legacy of Goku series | The Legacy of Goku • The Legacy of Goku II • Buu's Fury • GT: Transformation | ||||||
| Other | Dragon Daihikyou • Shenron no Nazo • Advanced Adventure • Sagas • Revenge of King Piccolo | ||||||
| Role-playing games | |||||||
| Gokuden series | Daimaō Fukkatsu • 3: Gokuden (Dragon Ball on WonderSwan Color) • Kyōshū! Saiyan • II: Gekishin Freeza • Super Saiya Densetsu • III: Ressen Jinzōningen • Gaiden: Saiyajin Zetsumetsu Keikaku | ||||||
| Plan to Eradicate the Saiyans series | Shin Saiyajin Zetsumetsu Keikaku: Chikyū-Hen • Shin Saiyajin Zetsumetsu Keikaku: Uchū-Hen | ||||||
| Other | Goku Hishōden • Goku Gekitōden • Legendary Super Warriors • Collectible Card Game • Harukanaru Densetsu • Attack of the Saiyans • Dragon Ball Online | ||||||
| Fighting games | |||||||
| DBZ Arcade series | Dragon Ball Z • V.R.V.S. • DBZ 2: Super Battle | ||||||
| Butōden series | 'Super Butōden • Super Butōden 2 • Buyū Retsuden • Super Butōden 3 • Ultimate Battle 22 • Shin Butōden • Hyper Dimension • Final Bout • Ultimate Butōden | ||||||
| Budokai series | Budokai • Budokai 2 (Dragon Ball Z 2 V) • Budokai 3 • Shin Budokai • Shin Budokai: Another Road • Burst Limit • Infinite World • Dragonball Evolution • Budokai HD Collection | ||||||
| Budokai Tenkaichi series | Budokai Tenkaichi • Budokai Tenkaichi 2 • Budokai Tenkaichi 3 • Raging Blast • Tenkaichi Tag Team • Raging Blast 2 • Zenkai Battle Royale • Ultimate Tenkaichi • Dragon Ball Z For Kinect | ||||||
| Data Carddass series | Data Carddass Dragon Ball Z • Data Carddass Dragon Ball Z 2 • Bakuretsu Impact • W Bakuretsu Impact • Dragon Battlers • Dragon Ball Heroes | ||||||
| Let's! TV Play games | Battle Taikan Kamehameha • Battle Taikan Kamehameha 2 • Scouter Battle Taikan Kamehameha • Dragon Ball Z × One Piece | ||||||
| Supersonic Warriors series | Supersonic Warriors • Supersonic Warriors 2 | ||||||
| Other | Gekitō Tenkaichi Budōkai • Idainaru Son Goku Densetsu • The Legend • Taiketsu • Super Dragon Ball Z • Dragon Ball Z: Trilogy | ||||||
| Related | |||||||
| Shonen Jump games | Famicom Jump • Famicom Jump II • Jump Super Stars • Jump Ultimate Stars • Battle Stadium D.O.N • Dr. Slump: Arale-Chan • Jumpland | ||||||
| Other | Atsumare! Gokū Wārudo • Anime Designer: Dragon Ball Z • Dragon Ball Z TV Games • Dragon Ball Handheld Games • Manga Kasetto • Taisen Kata Game Kasetto • Dragonradar Mobile • Dragon Ball Z Quizz | ||||||