Infogrames has announced that the upcoming fighting game for the franchise, Dragon Ball Z: Budokai, will hit North American PlayStation 2 systems 04 December 2002:

Infogrames Expands $3 Billion Franchise, Ships New Dragon Ball Z Title on PlayStation(R)2 December 4
Number One Cable TV Show Drives Anticipation for Franchise’s Newest Video Game, ‘Dragon Ball Z: Budokai’

BEVERLY, Mass., Nov. 12 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Infogrames, Inc. (Nasdaq: IFGM) is proud to announce today that its upcoming Dragon Ball Z(R): Budokai(TM) video game, exclusively for the PlayStation(R)2 computer entertainment system, will ship to retail December 4, 2002. The Dragon Ball(R) and Dragon Ball Z(R) franchises are global blockbusters that have generated over $3 billion in related merchandising sales worldwide and over 500 animated episodes. In addition, DBZ was the number-one rated show among all U.S. cable TV programs for tweens 9-14, boys 9-14 and men 12-24 during this season’s launch line-up.

With the game available for the holidays, Dragon Ball Z(R) fans and fighting game aficionados alike will be able enjoy more of this popular franchise by entering the world of this highly-rated animated series on Cartoon Network and engage in high-intensity fighting battles, each one more epic than the one before. Featuring a totally authentic, high-energy Dragon Ball Z(R) fighting experience, the Dragon Ball Z(R): Budokai(TM) game invites players to relive some of their favorite moments from the Dragon Ball Z(R) animated series by becoming their favorite Dragon Ball Z(R) character and conquering all challengers.

Dragon Ball Z(R): Budokai(TM) spans from the Saiyan(TM) Saga through the Cell Games Saga and allows players to experience the fantastic DBZ universe. The game features five heart-pounding fighting modes, including Story Mode, where players reenact some of the most exciting fighting scenes from the animated series, and Tournament Mode, where players can face off to crown a single DBZ fighting champion. The game includes 23 of the most famous DBZ heroes and villains in full 3D, spans 29 levels, and features over 60 different combo moves per character, including some of their infamous attacks from the animated series.

“We are very excited to bring the Dragon Ball Z: Budokai game exclusively to the PlayStation 2,” said Paul Rinde, senior vice president of Infogrames. “The anime series has achieved blockbuster status in North America with its array of fantastic characters and stories, and Infogrames has authentically captured that same magic in our PlayStation 2 game.”

Gen Fukunaga, president of FUNimation productions said, “This title provides a truly authentic DBZ experience that every avid fan has been anticipating. From the original FUNimation voice actors to the accuracy of the characters, environments and storyline, this game truly brings Dragon Ball Z to life.”

The Dragon Ball series, originally developed in Japan, has become the number one animated series in many countries including Japan, France, Spain, Hong Kong and Mexico. It is the top rated series on Cartoon Network’s Toonami block and the “Most Searched for Term of 2001” according to the Lycos 50 Daily Report on the Internet.

For additional information on Dragon Ball Z, visit www.dragonballz.com.