Would you Recommend Budokai 3 or Budokai Tenkaichi to me?

[Nightingale]

Hi, was hoping to get some opinions on this.

I've played Budokai 3 at a store and found it to be wicked fun. However, I'm not sure how long it would last.

I'm a fan of a wide variety of characters, which Tenkaichi has, but if the gameplay.. feels like an afterthought.. and the characters themselves become mostly a gimmick and play very similarly, a game just becomes no fun for me. For example, my favorite anime is Mobile Suit Gundam. I absolutely loved Mobile Suit Gundam: Federation VS Zeon for PS2. So, when Gundam VS Zeta Gundam, a sequel with the exact same engine and combat system, but with an insane immesurable amount more characters came out, I jumped at it. Boy, was I disappointed. In Fed VS Zeon.. although it literally had only 1 character for every 10 that GvZ had, they all played differently, reflected their animated counterparts, and it was absolutely a must to try all of them. With GvZ.. the new characters are UNBALANCED. And, they all handle identically. Same speed, similar attacks, etc. The list goes on. The 'unique features' of each one are generally little gimmicks that you'll never use. It wasn't fun to have char X verse char Y because they in no way reflected their animated counterparts.

Additionally, Fed VS Zeon had an excellent campaign mode, with just the right amount of strategy involved in picking a battle to partake in and what mobile suits and equipment to use. GvZ replaced this with a lame system that sounds interesting at first (you can "replay famous events multiple times to affect the outcome of history"), but all that means is there are only a few levels, and you'll end up playing them OVER, AND OVER, with each previously-mentioned identical character, with the only change in history being what characters fight alongside you in later battles and perhaps what side you're on. But since they're all identical anyway, it doesn't really matter. And, overall, the mechanics just weren't as finely-tuned as in Fed VS Zeon and everything felt like it was put together in a matter of minutes with no attention to whether it was actually fun or not. It had tons and tons and tons of unlockable content. A fan's dream. But it actually made me like the 'Zeta Gundam' series less because I had to replay the same events OVER AND OVER AND OVER and hear the same lines that I used to like OVER AND OVER AND OVER, and it wasn't the least bit fun. I was playing simply to unlock more stuff, stuff which wouldn't be fun either. I must point out, however, that every single Gundam fan who I've talked to, except one, absolutely adored this game.

Anyway, Tenkaichi's gameplay looks like it might suffer from this symptom. When I first saw a video of it a few months back, the camera angle looked like it would make you focus less on the intricacies of combat and make the game into more of a "dash forward, punch and knock the guy back, shoot guy, dash forward, punch and knock the guy back, shoot guy, repeat." And reviews seem to mention you "not needing to use most of the attacks available to you," "the camera angle constantly placing me in a situation where i couldn't even see the enemy," and "less variety in the moves than in Budokai 3."

Besides the characters, the only feature i really see going for it is the larger environments.

However, I'm also not very familiar with the different gameplay modes in either Budokai 3 or Tenkaichi. What kinds are there, and how do they play out? Is there a non-repetitive path that'll get me a lot of hours out of the game? Is that level-up and capsule system from Budokai present in Tenkaichi? I'm also curious about how Transformations are handled. I was a big fan of GT, unlike many people it seems, so Super Saiyan 4 and other GT content is relatively important to me.

I must point out that I was never a big DB fan until recently, but I really enjoyed Budokai 3 at a time when I really didn't care about DB, and I know that I know I wouldn't have gotten Tenkaichi then if I had decided to buy a DBZ game despite not being a fan, as I absolutely loved B3's gameplay. Now that I've become quite a DB fan, things like more characters really intrigue me. But if it's the expense of gameplay, I probably wouldn't want it.

Thanks!

[Conan the SSJ]

I am definitely going to recommend Budokai 3, but make sure you get Budokai 3's "Greatest Hits" version, as that will contain quite a number of extras, including the Japanese VAs, 3 additional skins, improved audio/visual effects/graphics, and possibly extra "Baba Movies". The Dragon Universe mode is VERY fun, and you get to play out an RPG-Fighting story mode where you can fly all over the world, encounter awesome story elements and hidden ones alike, and the game play is truly awesome, as are the graphics. In my opinion, it is superior to Budokai Tenkaichi, as Tenkaichi was more of a rushed bag that cut fighters from B3, has a story mode that consists of cut-scenes where all the characters do is stand around and talk (Budokai 3's is MUCH more interactive and makes you think you're really in the anime), it truly isn't as good as Budokai 3 game play wise either IMO. The only downside you may find to Budokai 3 is from how much the computer may overuse the "Dragon Rush" system, and it can be tiresome when he uses it as a main objective, but the "Dragon Rush" does grant some awesome cut scenes of its own, and unique finishes for certain characters (Form 3 Freeza has a 66 blast combo that's insanely awesome). Here's my personal review on Budokai 3, though do remember, this is for the original American released version, please make sure to get the "Greatest Hits" version, you won't regret it.

[Last Son of Krypton]

Well, if you hit the enemy with the four punch Death Beam you can get over 70 hits with third form Frieza Dragon Rush. Just thought I'd point that out.

[Nightingale]

Yeah, I'll probably go with the Greatest Hits version of 3.

My only gripe is that I feel like I'm being shafted out of playing as Tao, Master Roshi (uncertain of his JP name), Dr. Gero, Super 17, Bebi-Vegeta, and the various other chars. Tenkaichi just seems to have a replay factor in that, whenever I watch DBZ in the future, it'll let me play as any of the charcters I see on-screen. (*note: I've seen bits and pieces of most DBZ sagas, but I plan to rewatch it completely sometime soon.)

I actually sort-of liked the concept of specifically selecting SSJ4 Goku to fight against, say, Perfect Form Cell.

Could youe laborate on how transformations work in B3? Can I transform from normal Goku to SSJ4 in the middle of a battle?

[Last Son of Krypton]

Yeah, I'll probably go with the Greatest Hits version of 3.

My only gripe is that I feel like I'm being shafted out of playing as Tao, Master Roshi (uncertain of his JP name), Dr. Gero, Super 17, Bebi-Vegeta, and the various other chars. Tenkaichi just seems to have a replay factor in that, whenever I watch DBZ in the future, it'll let me play as any of the charcters I see on-screen. (*note: I've seen bits and pieces of most DBZ sagas, but I plan to rewatch it completely sometime soon.)

I actually sort-of liked the concept of specifically selecting SSJ4 Goku to fight against, say, Perfect Form Cell.

Could youe laborate on how transformations work in B3? Can I transform from normal Goku to SSJ4 in the middle of a battle?

Dr. Gero is in Budokai 3. As for how transformations work in Budokai 3 it goes like this. To make Goku turn Super Saiyan 4 you need to have the Goku's Super Saiyan 4 capsule equipped (You first need Goku's Kaioken, Super Saiyan 1, 2, and 3 capsules equipped). You need to gather enough ki to transform. Press the guard button (the X button), then press back twice and hold it until you have 7 ki guages. Then press Triangle, Square and X at the same time. Goku will transform into Super Saiyan 4. I hope that helps you out.

[Nightingale]

Ok.
And, once I get the game, I'll find these capsules in the Dragon World mode? They're just hidden in random places on the map?

[Alchemist Ed]

Nightingale, just so you know, Conan has played Tenkaichi for an hour. Now, in my opinion, Tenkaichi is the better game. I suggest that you rent them both, and see which one you like the most.

[Last Son of Krypton]

Ok.
And, once I get the game, I'll find these capsules in the Dragon World mode? They're just hidden in random places on the map?

You can get random capsules in Dragon Universe as you are flying about in the world. When you see a "???" marker come up press X and you will investigate the area. You can get the transformation capsules by going through the Dragon Universe battles. You have to find Super Saiyan 4, though.

[Xyex]

Ok.
And, once I get the game, I'll find these capsules in the Dragon World mode? They're just hidden in random places on the map?

Win them from battles, find them laying around, or buy them.

Nightingale, just so you know, Conan has played Tenkaichi for an hour. Now, in my opinion, Tenkaichi is the better game. I suggest that you rent them both, and see which one you like the most.

I've logged at least 12 hours on BT, probably more. It's ok but... it's mechanics need more work than those of Budokai 1. B3 is the superior game. BT's hand-to-hand is broken, the balance is off, the controls aren't as responsive as they should be, and everyone plays one of 3 ways. Normal, Big & Slow, or Close Range. Everyone falls into one of those three groups and those that do play exactly the same as each other giving BT all of 3 characters.

I'll just put it out like this, BT is a fun game. It's a very bad fighting game but it is a fun game. They need to take the BT engine, apply a few minor tweaks, and put out a new Action/Adventure game. That's what BT feels like to me, the demo disc of an Anction/Adventure title.

[Conan the SSJ]

Also, Nightingale, Budokai 3 has an awesome training mode that I'd suggest you go to first thing when turning the game on (after activating the Japanese VAs of course ). It'll teach you basicly everything on how to play the game, learning the techniques as they're explained, whilst Tenkaichi goes along the lines of Duelists of the Roses and makes you just watch the training process, which basicly forces you to really learn while playing out a match. Regaurding Dragon Universe, follow Last Son of Krypton's advise on it, maybe read a faq on gamefaqs.com, and you'll be just fine. Also regaurding characters you won't be finding in Tenkaichi, GH Budokai 3 will be giving you Omega Shenron, Uub, Supreme Kai, and King Piccolo (alternate skin for Piccolo that requires password, can be found Here). Best of luck on it, you'll definitly get plenty of replay value out of B3, as I sure as hell did. Here's basicly everything (characters-wise) Budokai 3 will give you after getting 100%, best of luck.

[Chaos Saiyajin]

Haven't played Tenkaichi yet, but B3 is a must buy. Yi Xing Long, Uub, SSJ4 Goku & Vegeta, Bardock...The list goes on of awesome characters and the game's story mode is way superior to that of B2s. It's a great game, I'd recommend B3 to anyone.

Argh! Why can't Christmas be tommarow?! Then I'd have Tenkaichi...Damn...

[oponok]

Budoukai has more replay value, has more attack variety and better dialogue (both with winks and nods to fans and some funny moments), takes longer to unlock everything, and is funner for those who aren't hardcore Dragonball fans (due to the seemingly monstrous learning curve of Sparking! to nonfans). Rent them both if you can, though. Tenkaichi is a new fighting game experience, and it's a great take on DBZ. It's just nowhere near as polished as Budoukai 3.

[Smooth Criminal]

Without doubt, Budokai 3 is the better of the two games.

As one of the above posters already mentioned, the combat system of Budokai Tenkaichi ends up feeling very dull.

I personally found BT enjoyable enough to complete all of the sagas, but after that there isn't much left to do. The vast capsule system of the earlier Budokai games has been reduced to a relatively small number of portaras (basically they are the same thing, only it's a lot more fleshed out in Budokai 3).

After completing Budokai 3's main story, the game opens up a very addictive mode called Dragon Arena. The purpose of this mode is to basically gain experience by fighting a multitude of opponents. You're able to choose who you want to fight, though you can't fight someone too far past your level.

Tenkaichi has a similiar mode, though the game has no experience/level up system. As a result, fighting through this large line of opponents feels rather pointless, as you're not getting anything beneficial for winning.

I could go on and on, but there's really no point in comparing the two any further. Budokai 3 is a great game, while Budokai Tenkaichi/Sparking is a nice first attempt by newcomer DBZ-developer Spike. The choice is obvious- go with B3. (The Special edition should be out soon, btw. Complete with JP voice overs and added costumes)

[sangofe]

I'll just put it out like this, BT is a fun game. It's a very bad fighting game but it is a fun game. They need to take the BT engine, apply a few minor tweaks, and put out a new Action/Adventure game. That's what BT feels like to me, the demo disc of an Anction/Adventure title.

Yeah, Sparking is an action game, not a fighting game.

[MajinBuu]

Tenkaichi is better the third game.. Or what you can do is you can rent both games to see which one you like better.

[VegettoEX]

Tenkaichi is better the third game.. Or what you can do is you can rent both games to see which one you like better.

...

Whoa.

MajinBuu, please re-read the forum rules that you agreed to before signing up. Regardless of what the rules are, here, how anyone can actually find a 320x256 animated gif for a signature acceptable on *any* forum is entirely beyond me.

Avatar and signature removed.

And now back to your regularly-scheduled topic.

[SonGokuGT]

I say get both! They both have very good qualities... as of late I am enjoying "Tenkaichi" a lot. You might want to buy "Budokai 3 Greatest Hits" for $20, play it, love it. And once you're done [and believe me it'll keep you busy for a while] Tenkaichi will probably have a lower price tag.

[desirecampbell]

I say get both! They both have very good qualities... as of late I am enjoying "Tenkaichi" a lot. You might want to buy "Budokai 3 Greatest Hits" for $20, play it, love it. And once you're done [and believe me it'll keep you busy for a while] Tenkaichi will probably have a lower price tag.

I was just about to say that . Damn my slug-like fingers.

[SuperFusion]

This is a simple pick

Budokai 3 > Tenkaichi

Budokai 3 has way more to offer.