Dragonball Z Video Game Intro Animation Sequences

[Akira]

For purposes of this discussion, I would like to focus on only those console games which had an animated intro. I believe this to disclude Budokai 1, Legends and possibly Tenkaichi Budokai/Sparking because of them using 3D graphics in thier intros instead. Here is the list of games to list your favorite intro animation from and why:

Dragonball Z: Ultimate Battle 22 (PS1)
Dragonball Z: Shinbutohden (Saturn)
Dragonball Z: Budokai 2 (PS2/GCN)
Dragonball Z: Budokai 3 (PS2)
Dragonball Z: Sagas (PS2/GCN/XBox)
Dragonball GT: Final Bout (PS1)

I believe I like the intro to Budokai 2 or Final Bout the best. Funny to say that the weakest of titles has one of the best intro animations, but it is true.

Sagas had a very interesting intro that showcased a full look back at Goku's early battles. It was a nice touch to an otherwise mediocre game.

Final Bout's intro is cool, the only cool part about that game if you are honest with yourself. Showing Piccolo fighting Perfect Cell always seemed odd to me, but aside from that it was rather impressive.

Ultimate Battle 22 has the superior intro, even though the comparable Shinbutohden is the better game overall. It is a nice run down the roster of characters, but not much else to it.

Budokai 3 is by far the best of the Budokai series (In my opinion of course), but its intro, while animated beautifully, has too many odd aspects to it. Super Saiyan Gohan never fought Meta-Cooler, Gotenks Never fought Kid Buu, and even if they are hypotheticals, which is fair enough I guess, There is no way in heck Gogeta would take a blow from the likes of Broly and bleed and be knocked back half a mile. That one bit just kinda annoys me when I watch the intro. Good thing they include the Budokai 2 Intro as an unlockable, that redeems that one shortcoming.

Budokai 2 has the best intro in my opinion. It seems to capture the overall dragonball impression one would expect from an intro. It shows many story accurate scenes and battles and much of the supporting cast. I think I enjoy the intro music on it too the best of them all.

I am positive many of you may disagree with me, and in this discusion, I quite frankly welcome it. This isn't anything other than a leisurely look at these animated segments unique to the world of dragonball video games.

[DB_Fan]

I agree, Budokai 2 has for sure the best opening sequence, followed by Budokai 3 (I love the scene where Lunch appears with the others ), Final Bout and Ultimate Battle 22. I just hated the intro for Sagas, the characters looked horrible.

[Chaos Saiyajin]

Aww...My favorite's Budokai's opening, but...ah, what the hell?

1. Budokai 2
2. Sagas (Gott love that Dragonball remastery!)
3. Budokai 3 (SSJ4! w00t!)
4. Final Bout (Bee's just a little young in the intro. Too young. )
5. Ultimate Battle 22

[Leotaku]

I liked the idea of Final Bout's intro, but what really hurt it for me was that it seemed really choppy. The animation just wasn't very smooth / didn't have many frames, in my opinion. Maybe I'm wrong, I dunno. I thought Ultimate Battle 22 was smoother than it though.

I really wanna see the Sagas intro, recapping all those famous battles, but I never played that game.

[DB_Fan]

I liked the idea of Final Bout's intro, but what really hurt it for me was that it seemed really choppy. The animation just wasn't very smooth / didn't have many frames, in my opinion. Maybe I'm wrong, I dunno. I thought Ultimate Battle 22 was smoother than it though.

I really wanna see the Sagas intro, recapping all those famous battles, but I never played that game.

I'm not sure if you know, but you can see it here: http://www.daizex.com/multimedia/images ... ps2c.shtml

I don't like that much, it was good for them to recap some events from the original series, but I just don't like how the characters look.

[Caracal]

I've only seen the Budokai 2 and 3 intros, but I liked both of them.

DBZB2 had great music and the scenes were enjoyable. I liked the way it flashed through the first three major villains fighting Goku and him showing off the various Super Saiyan forms, some of the weaker characters getting some time in the spotlight, the various villains, Gotenks fusing and the Goku/Kid Buu fight, especally when Goku cut the moon in half. However as a fan of Gohan I was slightly annoyed that he had a relatively minor role in it.

And now for Budokai 3. As a fan of "What If" I loved the idea of seeing Goku vs Freeza, Vegeta vs Cell, Gotenks vs Kid Buu, Gohan vs Cooler and Gogeta vs Broly. My only complaint is how the heroes didn't really get the chance to strike back at their opponent. Sure, I realise there wasn't really enough time to show the characters winning their fights but none the less it would have been nice to at least see some still shots of Gotenks, Gohan and Gogeta delivering a finishing blow to their opponent.

[t-bone135]

I've only seen the Budokai 2 and 3 intros, but I liked both of them.

. . .

As a fan of "What If" I loved the idea of seeing Goku vs Freeza, Vegeta vs Cell, Gotenks vs Kid Buu, Gohan vs Cooler and Gogeta vs Broly. My only complaint is how the heroes didn't really get the chance to strike back at their opponent. Sure, I realise there wasn't really enough time to show the characters willing their fights but none the less it would have been nice to have seen still shots of Gotenks, Gohan and Gogeta delivering a winning blow.

I completely agree with that assesment, and it's one of the things that has miffed me about B3's opening as well. It sort of seemed anti-climatic in a lot of ways. Even SSj 4 Goku charging Omega Shenron seemed to just give up on it. Still, I think it was suppose to leave us with that feeling, as if to say, "All this and more await you inside." After all, many of those battles do take place in the DU mode.

So, it boils down to, (by technical default,) Budokai 2's intro for me. It just had more action in it, and I liked the song a lot more. My favorit part of that whole thing was when Vegeta and Goku lunge at each other while fusing with the Potara. That made me have a fan-gasm right there, let me tell you.

[Leotaku]

I liked the idea of Final Bout's intro, but what really hurt it for me was that it seemed really choppy. The animation just wasn't very smooth / didn't have many frames, in my opinion. Maybe I'm wrong, I dunno. I thought Ultimate Battle 22 was smoother than it though.

I really wanna see the Sagas intro, recapping all those famous battles, but I never played that game.

I'm not sure if you know, but you can see it here: http://www.daizex.com/multimedia/images ... ps2c.shtml

I don't like that much, it was good for them to recap some events from the original series, but I just don't like how the characters look.

Oh, I know that I can see screencaps of the intros on this site, but I meant the actual video. It was on the main page for a while, but I didn't download it. Oh well.

Thanks.

[gotenx]

All of the openings are available at http://dragonballarena.gamesurf.it/engl ... sclips.php

Enjoy!

[Leotaku]

Aw, it doesn't seem to have Sagas on it though.
Thanks for sharing it anyway, gotenx.

[Conan the SSJ]

Here ya' go, Leo, the Sagas opening. It's in a zip file so you'll need winzip to bring it up on your computer once it's finished DLing. Enjoy, this program has been sponsored by the fellows. Let the fun begin, Majin Buu! (I couldn't resist)

[Leotaku]

Ah, finally. Thanks, Conan.

I didn't expect it to be narrated, but I guess it fits, since its sorta recapping the story, and not just doing random scenes like the other games.

The characters look a little off (they even got some colours completely wrong, like Daimao's clothes and Vegeta's armor.

I still enjoyed seeing those old scenes in updated animation though, that was nice. Doesn't really stand out for its action like Budokai 2, 3, or Tenkaichi, but I think, instead, it sets itself apart by taking a different approach to an intro; telling the actual story. Albeit, very condensed.

[Onikage725]

For purposes of this discussion, I would like to focus on only those console games which had an animated intro. I believe this to disclude Budokai 1, Legends and possibly Tenkaichi Budokai/Sparking because of them using 3D graphics in thier intros instead.

Aw, what's wrong with the 3D intros
CG is a form of animation too.

But staying within the limits, I'd have to say...

Budokai 2- What can I say? I loved the animation and the music.

Budokai 3- Almost as good as 2's, but seemed a little less dynamic IMO.

Shin Butoden- It's like the UB22/27 intro...but trippier.

[Chuquita]

Budoukai 2's intro's my favorite. The art seems more on-model than the other recent animated intros (Budokai 3 'n Sagas) and I love seeing how computer-coloring would look on the show.

[Big Momma]

I mostly liked the Sagas opening because it had some new animation.(Oh! They should redo the entire series like that! ) The Budokai 2 opening was very well done, and the B3/FB openings had great fighting in them. I haven't seen the others.

[b_boult]

Ya I also agree Budokai 2's is the best. I preferred it without the singing though. It would have been awesome if the series had been animated on a par with the Majin Buu vs Goku segment but obviously that could never happen.

[Thanos6]

Definitely Budokai 2 because of the massive amount of characters, even tons of non-fighters (Bulma, Oolong, Pu'ar...).

[chronocross]

Well, my favorite opening has to be the first one i have ever saw. It is Super Butoden 2.

[theoriginalbilis]

Definitely Budokai 2's intro. The animation was slick and well-timed, we got to see so many characters... and plus the song from Hironobu was awesome.

I actually start humming it sometimes at work.