Is METEOR worth getting over NEO?

[Great Saiyaman I]

So at first I thought I would get METEOR because it has awesome new characters like Arale and online. However, I then learned that the story mode is a lot worse in METEOR and has a lot less replay value. Are the upgrades in METEOR worth it? Or should I stick with NEO?

[VegettoEX]

It all depends on what you're looking for.

It sounds like the story modes that you enjoy are what NEO did. If you plan on sticking with single-player stuff and don't intend on really getting into the meat of the gameplay mechanics and mastering characters and techniques, have a blast with NEO and its story mode for the time that it provides, and then just move on.

If you want the expanded roster, will be doing multiplayer at all, and really feel that you could spend more time with the game than just the couple hours that it will take you to get through a story mode... definitely go with METEOR.

I really don't understand what you mean by "replay" in story mode. They inherently don't have much "replay value" if you can play through it once and that's all there is to it (and it never changes in subsequent play-throughs). The value comes in spending the time in versus modes (either against the CPU, or preferably against human opponents) and learning the ropes with multiple characters.

Also, METEOR has more BGM and stage locations -- trust me when I say you'll want them. Pretty sure NEO has a couple BGM tracks that didn't make it into METEOR, but the latter has a larger variety in the end (this is assuming you'll be playing the original JP version, anyway... I have no idea about the replaced score).

[Eddie]

The score in Budokai Tenkaichi 3 is not impressive. The soundtrack to the US version of the Sparking series isn't a selling point. Really, I'd say it all comes down to the characters. What is it about the story mode that appeals to you, Great Saiyaman 1? Neo does have a much better story mode than Meteor, but all it really does is let you play fights that you've already seen. Heck, you've probably seen them multiple times. The versus mode is the real draw to these games. This series has always been about simulating Dragon Ball Z and giving a huge roster of characters to the fans. Some of Meteors additions are actually pretty fun, too. You may not play as them more than once, depending on the type of player you are, but Arale, Chi Chi, Blue, Future Gohan, Selypa, and some of the other additions have some unique things going on for them.

[Thanos]

The score in Budokai Tenkaichi 3 is not impressive. The soundtrack to the US version of the Sparking series isn't a selling point. Really, I'd say it all comes down to the characters. What is it about the story mode that appeals to you, Great Saiyaman 1? Neo does have a much better story mode than Meteor, but all it really does is let you play fights that you've already seen. Heck, you've probably seen them multiple times. The versus mode is the real draw to these games. This series has always been about simulating Dragon Ball Z and giving a huge roster of characters to the fans. Some of Meteors additions are actually pretty fun, too. You may not play as them more than once, depending on the type of player you are, but Arale, Chi Chi, Blue, Future Gohan, Selypa, and some of the other additions have some unique things going on for them.

I respectfully disagree. While the US release of Sparking! METEOR had a forgettable soundtrack, the US NEO had an amazing soundtrack. Not preferable to the Japanese BGM, true, but if I have to have something else, those tracks are perfect.

It all depends on what you're looking for.

It sounds like the story modes that you enjoy are what NEO did. If you plan on sticking with single-player stuff and don't intend on really getting into the meat of the gameplay mechanics and mastering characters and techniques, have a blast with NEO and its story mode for the time that it provides, and then just move on.

If you want the expanded roster, will be doing multiplayer at all, and really feel that you could spend more time with the game than just the couple hours that it will take you to get through a story mode... definitely go with METEOR.

I really don't understand what you mean by "replay" in story mode. They inherently don't have much "replay value" if you can play through it once and that's all there is to it (and it never changes in subsequent play-throughs). The value comes in spending the time in versus modes (either against the CPU, or preferably against human opponents) and learning the ropes with multiple characters.

Also, METEOR has more BGM and stage locations -- trust me when I say you'll want them. Pretty sure NEO has a couple BGM tracks that didn't make it into METEOR, but the latter has a larger variety in the end (this is assuming you'll be playing the original JP version, anyway... I have no idea about the replaced score).

Hmm, Mike. I get the distinct feeling that maybe you've... warmed up to the Sparking! series a bit?

[VegettoEX]

Hmm, Mike. I get the distinct feeling that maybe you've... warmed up to the Sparking! series a bit?

Hardly. Doesn't mean I can't accurately describe what it has, though. I'd still recommend Super DragonBall Z above all the other games any day of the week.

[linkdude20002001]

Same here. I own both, but I still can't beat Raditz in Meteor. Super DBZ on the other hand is fun, and the controls make sense.

[Ex-Dubbie369]

If you have a Wii, buy it for the Wii. Seriously, it makes the experience so much better. It's got a bit of a steep learning curve, but it just makes the game so much better. I've been saying that the Sparking engine is really meant to be on the Wii.

[linkdude20002001]

Except that I'd have to buy a Japanese Wii... I'd rather just stick to using my Japanese PS2 (which I can't currently play because the cords are gone). At least buying new cords is cheaper than a new system.

[Great Saiyaman I]

Well, for what I like it seems METEOR is for me. Thanks for the tips!

[Thanos]

Hmm, Mike. I get the distinct feeling that maybe you've... warmed up to the Sparking! series a bit?

Hardly. Doesn't mean I can't accurately describe what it has, though. I'd still recommend Super DragonBall Z above all the other games any day of the week.

Fair enough. I do agree, Super Dragon Ball Z is really quite good. Probably my second favourite modern Dragon Ball game behind Sparking! METEOR.

[Piccolo Daimaoh]

Well, for what I like it seems METEOR is for me. Thanks for the tips!

Wise choice. If you liked Tenkaichi 2, then there's no question that you'll like Tenkaichi 3 more.

[Sun-Wukong]

Hmm, Mike. I get the distinct feeling that maybe you've... warmed up to the Sparking! series a bit?

Hardly. Doesn't mean I can't accurately describe what it has, though. I'd still recommend Super DragonBall Z above all the other games any day of the week.

Fair enough. I do agree, Super Dragon Ball Z is really quite good. Probably my second favourite modern Dragon Ball game behind Sparking! METEOR.

It's also my second favorite, but after Budokai 3 for the PS2. I do like the Sparking! series though, they're just a different experience is all. I wasted so much time unlocking everything in the first one...

To the OP, I have to agree that if you have a Wii, you should get METEOR for it. Either way is good though.

[Thanos]

It's also my second favorite, but after Budokai 3 for the PS2. I do like the Sparking! series though, they're just a different experience is all. I wasted so much time unlocking everything in the first one...

Yeah, tell me about it. It actually took me forever to figure out how to get the purple capsule characters.

[NECPS]

That is a problem at those Sparking games.

There is not a final product. Stic with NEO if you want storymode,
go over METEOR if you want a better gameplay.

[SuperSaiyan3Goku]

I personally play more BT3 (METEOR) than BT2. (NEO) The graphics are slightly better (I like the design of the auras in BT3 than the Blue-lightning in BT2). BT3 has more places to fight, a massive roster, and it has the instrumental of Super Survivor as the opening to boot!