So I picked up a copy of Dragon Ball Z Budokai...

[WesMan23]

Our area just opened up a classic video game store yesterday, and I decided to check it out. I picked up a copy of DBZ Budokai (the original) for about $3.50, for PS2, which seemed like a good deal. Today, I dusted off the system, took out my copy of Budokai Tenkaichi, and put in the old one. It had been years since I played it and I didn't remember much. The shock my ears took when I heard that electric guitar... ugh, Rock the Dragon, and the original DBZ opening re-done in the game's graphics. Talk about taking you back in time. The first time I ever played this game, it was awesome and I ate it up. A decade later, so ridiculously cheesy and simplistic. But if I remember, it was the first mainstream DBZ game to be released in years. I played it up until I beat Vegeta with ridiculously little effort. I realize now, how much better the later Budokai Tenkaichi games were. Wow. But the game is still simple, mindless fun, even if I see how poorly done it was compared to the (mostly) current roster of DBZ games we have. Not as bad as say, Super Saiya Densetsu/Legend of the Super Saiya-Jins, but definitely not as great as I remember. Though, the soundtrack wasn't terrible for Budokai, I do dig some of the tunes. Does anybody else ever dust off the older Dragonball games to give them an old-time play through?

(PS, if this type of topic was already posted, and I missed it, I apologize)

[dbboxkaifan]

I haven't yet finished Budokai 1 sidequests because I've not mastered the combos which are required so that I can defeat the rest of the opponents without losing (i.e, restarting again and again).

Anyway, it's always fun to play it and hear the original music of Budokai 1, the game definitely features the best Yamamoto tracks for me. Infinite World is like a "Best of Budokai Soundtrack".

[WesMan23]

When I first played it, I do believe I finished it to 100% completion, but I have to dig out my old memory card to confirm. I remembered getting Budokai 2, and paying the full $50 for it when it was brand new, and I was disappointed at the blatant copy and paste job they did with it, especially not fixing the issue with Imperfect Cell's voice while playing as Perfect Cell, like it was in the first, which bothered me then as well. It was ridiculous to pay $50 for the same game with restyled graphics, and a few new characters. Might as well just have been an expansion pack or made into DLC, rather than a full game.

As far as the combos go, I think I remember them being pretty easy, if my 13/14 year old self was able to beat the game within in couple days, but I don't honestly remember. They could be much more difficult, and I might have struggled with them. Sadly, my memory ain't what it used to be. Plus, I would probably have a more difficult time now seeing as I don't play games too often, what with raising a daughter and being an adult and all, but I could imagine my video game muscle memory would kick in fast enough.

[Kid Buu]

I got it via Budokai HD Collection and got every trophy for it in one day. Game hasn't aged well IMO, its funny because that same game is what made me want a PS2.

[dbboxkaifan]

I haven't completed DBZ Budokai 1 yet because of other games that gather more interest and that Spike's DBZ games made me a bit lazy to do a combination of combos.

I'm thinking about buying DBZ Budokai HD just so I can play it on Xbox 360 where I do my gaming pretty much always, and also serves to other media services (apps/music/video).

[DBZ Mick]

Budokai 1 is pretty cool for the story mode if nothing else.

Was pretty neat that the Australian version was Japanese only so I also somewhat got into the original Japanese through that.

[TheMightyOzaru]

I started off with BT2 myself but I did pick up a copy of the Budokai HD collection last Christmas. Man I really wish I played B3 back in the day... I missed out big time.

[DBZ Mick]

I remember me and my neighbour using that password swap thingy in B3 a lot. Was quite enjoyable.

I still play Meteor, the LOG trilogy and Infinite World.

[Insertclevername]

Budokai & Legacy of Goku 2 was where I started off in terms of Dragon Ball games...good times! I got most of the games that came after it with the exception of Sagas (thank god) since my friend had it and I wasn't really interested; and Infinite World. I stopped around Burst Limit as around that time my interest in the franchise had waned.

To answer your question, yeah, I do. I re beat the Budokai 1 and re bought a better copy of Budokai 3 (the faux Greatest Hits ). The only Sparking game I play from time to time is Meteor. Oh, and Super Dragon Ball Z. Probably the best DB game out there.

[SparkyPantsMcGee]

The first Budokai game hasn't aged well. It's a bit clunky and a lot of the signature features of the Budokai series don't take off until 2. However, the one shining feature this game has over some of the others is it's attention to detail in the story mode. Yes the english version uses Rock the Dragon, but each sagas opener changes slightly just like it did in the show. Not to mention the cut scenes themselves which are almost shot for shot recreations of the anime with the in game engine. That's the major wow factor behind this game. 2, 3 and the Shin games for the PSP and the stronger titles and you can see miles of improvement from them.

[DarkPrince_92]

Gameplay wise I feel like it's dull. But the ANIMATION in the story mode is WAAAYYYYY better in Budokai 1, than in the later Sparking, or even Raging Blast games. The little details they put in, even into the dialogue is very impressive for the first of its kind. Now we get dry mouth flaps, quick-slide turn-arounds, and gameplay acting as cutscenes.... the fuck...

[Insertclevername]

It's so weird how most Dragon Ball games today feel so damn methodical and soulless. Budokai 1 felt like it was made with so much passion and love for the series. I think VegettoEX said in podcast episode that it was like an "open love letter", or something along those lines. That pretty much sums it up.

[MCDaveG]

I remember watching this video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hu3RxKrBbjw
on dragonballz.com back then, and so wanted PS2 because of this. As you compare for example Final Bout or other 3D fighters from PS1 era, this trailer was damn well cut.
Bur I enjoy the old games still and I also purchased first two Budokais in Japanese not that long ago for replaying purposes. Finished both on 100%.
I must admit, that the not so awesome gameplay of the first, was forgiven for maybe the best story mode I ever played in DB game, I felt like playing the actual show with different graphics.
Budokai 2 was kind of letdown for me. It had awesome graphics and color palletes (I liked the set of manga like colors used together with that plastic look of characters kinda like in RB2),
but story mode was tiring and boresome for me, didn't like the presentation. Except for Neko Majin are in J-version DBZ2!!!! That was nice!
BTW. trailer for second game was even better http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xF40MvcKvl0
coupled together with my most favorite DBZ games in that era, Legacy of Goku.

I love, how the trailer suggests, that the game have so much space and 3D and in actual game, the combat is in 2.5D plane with few cutscenes from different shots.
The seem to sorta make it 3D in Shin Budokai

[90sDBZ]

I've always played the Budokai games lots over the years ever since they first came out. I just never get tired of them although I do get tired of Tenkaichi. I love B1 and B2 despite their unbalanced gameplay. If you learn cancel combos you can actually pull off some pretty awesome stuff that adds to the replay value. Budokai 3 is still the best DBZ game of all time as far as I'm concerned, with Infinite World being a close 2nd. To this day I still hope for a Budokai 4 or Infinite World 2 although I doubt it'll happen. I guess the best I could hope for is a Burst Limit 2