Dragon Ball Z Budokai Tenkaichi 3 Playstation 2 Exclusive _hot_ Site

The Ultimate Legacy of Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 3 on PlayStation 2 Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 3 (BT3)

for the PlayStation 2 remains the definitive version of the most comprehensive Dragon Ball simulator ever created. Released on October 4, 2007

, the PS2 version is specifically distinguished from its Wii counterpart by the exclusive Disc Fusion System , which unlocks legacy content from previous titles. The PS2 Exclusive: Disc Fusion System

While the Wii version offered online play (now defunct), the PlayStation 2 version provided a unique way to bridge the entire trilogy through physical media. Ultimate Battle & Ultimate Battle Z : By inserting a Budokai Tenkaichi 1

disc during play, players unlock these classic survival and challenge modes. Ranking & Course Battles BT1 Fusion

: Unlocks "Ranking Battle," pitting you against 100 enemies with non-permanent losses. BT2 Fusion

: Unlocks "Course Battle," featuring five specialized missions, such as the "Kakarot Road" and "Ultimate Dragon" challenges. Mechanical Purpose

: The system doesn't actually read game data from the old discs; it simply checks for the disc to trigger an unlock flag for content already present on the BT3 disc. Core Gameplay & Roster Highlights

BT3 is celebrated for its sheer scale and refined 3D combat mechanics. The Massive Roster : Features 161 playable characters (162 in some versions), spanning from the original Dragon Ball and the movies. Evolution of Combat Sonic Sway : A new defensive mechanic for dodging rapid strikes. Z-Burst Dash : Improved movement for rapid-fire engagements. Interactive Story

: The "Dragon History" mode integrates cutscenes directly into gameplay, triggered by specific button prompts during mid-fight transformations. Dynamic Environments : Introduction of Night and Day stages dragon ball z budokai tenkaichi 3 playstation 2 exclusive

, which directly affect combat mechanics—for instance, Saiyan characters can transform into Great Apes using the moon in night stages. Why the PS2 Version Persists

Despite being nearly two decades old, the PS2 version is often preferred by the competitive community and collectors.

Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 3 was released for both the PlayStation 2 Nintendo Wii

version features a unique "Disc Fusion" system that makes it a sought-after collectible Exclusive PlayStation 2 Features Disc Fusion System

: This exclusive PS2 mode allows you to unlock specialized "Ultimate Battle" or "Ultimate Battle Z" challenges by temporarily inserting the discs for Budokai Tenkaichi 1 during gameplay. Traditional Controls

: The PS2 version is built for the DualShock 2, avoiding the motion-control learning curve found on the Wii. Modding Community

: The PS2 version is widely known for having a vast library of fan-made mods, including the popular "Budokai Tenkaichi 4" mod which adds modern characters from Dragon Ball Super Core Game Highlights

Z-Counter (clash teleport)

After vanishing an attack, press Triangle immediately to counter.
Leads to vanish wars — mash Triangle + Guard rhythmically.

Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 3 Review (PS2)

The Peak of PS2 Anime Fighting

Released in 2007 (2008 in some regions), Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 3 arrived late in the PlayStation 2’s lifecycle, just as the PS3 was gaining steam. While it wasn't technically a "PS2 exclusive" (it also launched on the Nintendo Wii), the PS2 version remains the definitive experience for purists. It is widely considered the magnum opus of the Tenkaichi (or Sparking!) series and arguably the greatest Dragon Ball fighting game of the 6th generation. The Ultimate Legacy of Dragon Ball Z: Budokai

Gameplay: Accessible Depth

Unlike traditional 2D fighters, Tenkaichi 3 plays in a full 3D arena. You fly, dash, and teleport behind your opponent in massive, destructible environments. The control scheme is unique: the left analog stick moves, while the right analog stick handles quick dashes and transformations.

The Combat Flow: It’s a high-speed rock-paper-scissors system. Attack beats grab, grab beats guard, and guard beats attack. The real magic lies in "Vanishing Attacks" (teleporting behind an opponent mid-combo) and "Z-Countering" (clashing at lightning speed). Mastering the timing feels incredibly rewarding.
Roster (The Big Sell): This is the game’s legacy. With over 160 characters, it is an encyclopedia of Dragon Ball. You can play as Dragon Ball kid Goku, every Z-Fighter, every movie villain (Janemba, Gogeta), and even obscure GT characters like Super 17 and Eis Shenron. Each character has a unique moveset, though some weaker fighters share basic combos.
Difficulty: The AI is brutal. This is not a "mash buttons to win" game. The CPU will counter your super moves, vanish behind you, and punish sloppy play. The final boss of the story mode, "Surpass the Super Saiyan," is infamously cheap, requiring near-perfect defense.

Modes: Built for Longevity

Dragon History: Unlike later games that cut corners, this mode faithfully recreates the entire story from Raditz to the end of Dragon Ball GT. It uses in-engine cutscenes and dynamic "What If?" scenarios (e.g., "What if Saibaman beat Yamcha?" leads to a unique branching path).
Dragon Tournaments: World Tournament, Cell Games, and the Other World Tournament are all present.
Dragon Sim (Adventure Mode): A board-game style RPG where you collect dragon balls, level up characters, and explore maps. It’s grindy but addictive for completionists.

Graphics & Sound: Late-Generation Polish

For a PS2 game, Tenkaichi 3 is stunning. The character models are cel-shaded beautifully, capturing the anime’s thick lines and bright colors. Auras have a fiery, layered effect. The stages are vast—you can fight on King Kai’s tiny planet, destroy Namek’s crust, or knock someone through the walls of the Hyperbolic Time Chamber.

The sound is a mixed bag. The impact effects (punches, energy blasts) are crunchy and satisfying. However, the English voice acting, while featuring the returning Funimation cast, suffers from awkwardly recycled audio from previous games. The Japanese voice track is available and is far superior in terms of energy.

Performance

Flawless. The game runs at a locked 60 frames per second, even when two Giant characters (Great Ape Vegeta vs. Hirudegarn) are destroying a city. The PS2’s hardware handles the chaos without slowdown, which is more than can be said for many later DBZ games on weaker hardware.

Flaws

Repetitive Sound Clips: You will hear "BE GONE!" and "KAIOKEN!" approximately 10,000 times.
No True Training Mode: There’s a practice mode, but it doesn’t explain advanced mechanics like Z-Countering well. You have to learn from YouTube or forums.
Motion Controls (Irrelevant here): The Wii version had waggle controls; the PS2 version uses a standard DualShock 2, which is vastly better for precision.

Verdict: Essential for Fans

Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 3 is not just a game; it is a time capsule of the PS2's golden era of anime adaptations. It prioritizes quantity (roster, transformations, destructible environments) without sacrificing the quality of its core combat.

While the PS2 is now two generations behind, this game remains the gold standard for "Dragon Ball sandbox fighting." If you can find a copy (original discs are expensive due to rarity), it is an absolute must-own.

Score: 9.5/10

Best for: Hardcore DBZ fans, collectors, local multiplayer (split-screen).
Not for: Casual button-mashers or players who hate learning complex defensive mechanics.

9. Recommended Capsule Loadout (PS2)

For ranked (local multiplayer):

King’s Crown – +1 blast stock start
God’s Judgment – Reduced ki consumption
Rising Fighting Spirit – Auto ki charge
Ultimate Guard – Guard reduces blast damage

Avoid: Devil’s Contract (unstable on PS2, can crash).

The Gameplay: A 3D Arena Brawler with Surgical Depth

On the surface, Budokai Tenkaichi 3 looks like a chaotic "button-masher." Opponents fly across massive, destructible 3D environments (from the Glacier to the World Tournament stage), firing beams that cause planetary explosions. But under the hood, the PS2 exclusive version hides an incredibly deep combat system.

The Rock-Paper-Scissors Triangle: Melee > Ki Blasts > Guard > Melee. Mastering the timing to break an opponent’s guard or vanish behind their back is the key to victory.
The Skill System: Players equip "Skill Points" that allow for instant transformations, reversals, or ultimate attacks. Managing these points separates a novice from a veteran.
Vanishing Battles: The most iconic mechanic. After a knockback, you can press the block button at the exact moment of impact to "Vanish" behind your opponent. They can then vanish behind you, creating a rapid, high-tension teleportation duel that drains Ki. In PS2 local multiplayer (split-screen), these moments cause friends to leap off the couch, screaming.
Beam Clashes: Oh, the beam clashes. Initiated when two ultimate attacks collide, you must rotate the left analog stick at blistering speeds to win. The PS2 controller’s excellent analog stick sensitivity made these battles feel visceral. The screen splits, the colors invert, and the winner’s beam engulfs the loser in a nuclear explosion.

Unlike the later Raging Blast series on PS3, which felt floaty and slow, Tenkaichi 3 on PS2 is snappy. Burst movement is instant. Dash-cancels are responsive. It is a game that rewards practice, and the community has spent 15+ years discovering new combos.

The Verdict: The Crown Prince of Anime Fighters

There are fighting games, there are anime games, and then there is Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 3. Released late in the PlayStation 2's lifecycle, this title is widely considered not just the peak of the Budokai Tenkaichi series, but arguably the greatest Dragon Ball Z video game ever made. It is a masterpiece of fan service that still holds up today due to its sheer scale and faithful adaptation of the source material. Z-Counter (clash teleport)