Dragon Ball Z Budokai 3

🎮 Overview

• Title: Dragon Ball Z: Budokai 3

• Platform: PlayStation 2 (2004 in North America, 2005 in Europe & Japan)

• Developer: Dimps

• Publisher: Atari (NA/EU), Bandai (JP)

• Genre: 3D Fighting Game

• Series: Third entry in the Budokai series, widely regarded as the best of the trilogy.

📖 Story

The game adapts the Dragon Ball Z storyline, covering:

• Saiyan Saga → Buu Saga

• Plus movie characters like Broly, Cooler, and Janemba.

• Even GT characters like Omega Shenron make an appearance.

The story is presented in Dragon Universe mode, where players fly freely around an overworld map, search for items, and trigger battles and cutscenes. Each playable character has their own unique storyline (e.g., Goku, Vegeta, Gohan, Piccolo, etc.).

🕹 Gameplay

Budokai 3 refined everything from the first two games, making it the most beloved entry:

• Combat System:

  • Fights are 3D arena battles with free movement (like in the anime).

  • Combos, beam struggles, and high-speed clashes recreate iconic DBZ battles.

  • Teleportation counters let players dodge behind opponents at the cost of Ki.

  • Beam struggles and power clashes involve button-mashing duels to overpower the opponent.

• Transformations:

  • Characters can transform mid-battle (Super Saiyan forms, Majin states, etc.) seamlessly, without being separate characters.

  • Forms consume Ki but grant stat boosts.

• Ultimate Attacks (Dragon Rush):

  • Players enter a cinematic sequence where they pick commands, and the opponent tries to guess and counter them.

  • Results in flashy finishers like Goku’s Spirit Bomb or Vegeta’s Final Flash.

• Customization:

  • A capsule system allows players to equip skills, abilities, and transformations.

  • RPG-like progression in Dragon Universe unlocks moves and characters.

🎨 Presentation

• Graphics: Cel-shaded visuals that closely match the anime’s art style, a huge improvement from the earlier Budokai games.

• Voice Acting: Features English and Japanese voice tracks, using the FUNimation cast.

• Music: Energetic rock/electronic soundtrack (varies depending on region—US and Japanese releases had different tracks).

📝 Reception

• Praise:

  • Considered one of the best Dragon Ball Z games ever made.

  • Faithful to the anime in both style and gameplay.

  • Huge roster (over 40 characters).

  • Dragon Universe added depth and replayability.

• Criticism:

  • Some considered Dragon Rush sequences repetitive.

  • Story coverage was shorter for non-main characters.

✅ In short: Dragon Ball Z: Budokai 3 is a fan-favorite fighting game that captured the speed, energy, and spectacle of DBZ better than any game before it. With its deep combat, transformations, and cinematic flair, it remains a classic on the PS2 and a benchmark for later DBZ titles.