Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 2

Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 2, known as Dragon Ball Z: Sparking! NEO (ドラゴンボールＺ　Ｓｐａｒｋｉｎｇ！スパーキング！ ＮＥＯネオ, Doragon Bōru Zetto　Supākingu! Neo) in Japan, is a fighting game released on the PlayStation 2 and on the Wii. It is the sequel to Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi.

The Wii version was confirmed as being a launch title in the US for November 19, 2006, in an IGN interview with Atari^[1] though some stores in the US started selling the Wii version on November 15, 2006. A V-Jump issue listed January 2007 as the release date for the Japanese version of the Wii release with an additional six characters, and an extra stage. The game was released in Europe on March 30, 2007, but was delayed in Australia until April 5, 2007. Both the European and Australian versions have the extra features of the Japanese Wii version. Its sequel is Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 3.

Gameplay[]

There are 129 playable characters in most versions of the game and 135 in the Japanese and PAL Wii versions. All characters featured in the previous game are available in this game as well. Battles can now involve up to ten characters fighting one at a time on the battlefield, with one teammate coming in after the other has been knocked out or when the player wishes to switch to another fighter. This is referring to Free Battle options.

Most versions of the game have 16 large arenas (11 of which are taken from the previous Budokai Tenkaichi game). The Japanese and PAL Wii versions have 17 with the inclusion of a new space level, and 9 game modes. The game also features in game transformations, in addition to being able to choose to play in a transformed state from the start. In order to transform, R3 (1 on Wii) and Left/Up/Right must be pressed to select the form wanted. One may also press Down + R3 (Down + 1) to revert to their original state (Only transformations that have shown that they can be undone in the anime can do this). Fusions can be performed in-battle as well, and it is performed the same way as tag teams and transformations except that L2 (Z) has to be pressed. Fusion can only be done in Tag battles and Free battles, and the player must have the suitable character as a Tag partner; for example, base Goku and Vegeta (second form) to form Vegito. If that fused character has a second or third form, R3 + L2 + Up (Z + 1 + Up) or Right can be pressed to transform into that different form. Also, unlike the Budokai series, the fusions do not end after ki drain, or fatigue, or time limit. A customizer has been made to change the characters. The Dueling Mode features a 'Battle Settings' option, where can be adjusted the dueling time, COM difficulty level, and set the In-Game Transformations on or off during gameplay.

Controls[]

The Wii version of the game features a unique control scheme using the system's remote controller. Using the motion sensing controller, players are able to control their fighters by carrying a remote/nunchuk combo and mimicking moves from the series, an example being the Kamehameha or Galick Gun. Players are able to choose whether they wish to use the Wii Remote and Nunchuk, the Wii Classic Controller, or a GameCube controller.^[2]

Game Modes[]

Dragon Adventure[]

This is the main mode of the game. It is similar to the Dragon Universe mode of Dragon Ball Z: Budokai 3: the player uses a character around Earth and Namek looking for Dragon Balls, skill capsules and opponents. This mode covers Dragon Ball Z to Dragon Ball GT, and also includes the movie stories The Tree of Might, Lord Slug, Cooler's Revenge, The Return of Cooler, Super Android 13!, Broly - The Legendary Super Saiyan, Bojack Unbound, Broly - Second Coming, Fusion Reborn, and Wrath of the Dragon as well as the TV special stories Bardock - The Father of Goku and The History of Trunks. The outcome of the battles in the mode changes the course of the story. New powers, characters, and "what-if" stories are unlocked in this mode.

Ultimate Battle Z[]

This mode uses a system where the player selects a type of battle and progresses up a pillar that is similar to the Mortal Kombat system. Each pillar has a specific theme and condition. By beating a pillar, the player earns a score, items, and more pillars.

Dragon Tournament[]

Similar to the same mode in the Budokai series, the player can enter a world tournament and try to win their way to the top. There are three levels of the basic tournament and a Cell Games mode (which is hosted by Cell). Since characters can fly, characters can leave the perimeter of the arena, but will be called for ring-out if they touch the ground. There are no restrictions to the Cell Games mode, but the last match of the Cell Games mode is always against Perfect Cell. Since there is no money awarded in this game, the prize for winning a World Tournament is a Z-item. The World Tournament mode can be played with several entrants, but if there is more than one human player, then no prize will be awarded.

Dragon Library[]

This is an encyclopedia that consists of character biographies and character models. It also has a brief history on the story of the series as well as a sound select menu where you can hear the music in the game.

Playable characters[]

Returning characters[]

New characters[]

Wii Exclusive characters[]

Battle Stages[]

• Wasteland
• Space
• Rocky Area
• Namek
• Dying Namek
• Planet
• Mountain Road
• Kami's Lookout
• Room of Spirit and Time
• Kame House
• Islands
• Glacier
• Cell Games Arena
• World Tournament Stage
• Supreme Kai's World
• City (Ruins)
• Ruined Earth

Voice cast[]

Reception[]

Critical reaction has been positive. Numerous reviews praised the game's high fighter count and detailed cel-shaded graphics, as well as the high amount of fan-service to DBZ fans. Some people, however, have taken issue with the game's complex controls. Mark Bozon at IGN said "The sheer speed and complexity of the controls may turn some people off, but the general combat will eventually come down to two buttons, making the game amazingly easy to learn, but nearly impossible to fully master." Many have said that the game is a "DBZ fan's wet dream," with VGRC.net stating "non-DBZ fighting game fans might even want to give it a spin as well." The game received the 'Best Fighting Game of the Year' award from X-Play, which is surprising since most Dragon Ball Z games are rated from mediocre to poor in their ranking system; the only notable exception is Dragon Ball Z: Budokai 3, which received a four out of five. This game also received a four out of five from X-Play.

The game became Namco Bandai's top-selling game of 2006, selling 1.18 million copies worldwide in its first six months.^[15] In Japan the game sold 423,000 copies on PS2 by the end of 2006^[16] and 166,000 copies on Wii by the end of 2007.^[17]

Trivia[]

• Unlike its predecessor, Budokai Tenkaichi, this game refers to Bulla by her correct English name.
• While Jeice will say "Don't play stupid with me, wanker!" sometimes before a battle in Budokai Tenkaichi, the "wanker" section of the sentence is cut out of this game and Budokai Tenkaichi 3, possibly because the word "wanker" is vulgar slang in the United Kingdom, but the "w" can clearly be heard spoken after he says, "Don't play stupid with me!"
• During one scene in the What-If saga Beautiful Treachery, the English narrator says "Suddenly, Goku vanished. Krillin had used the Dragon Balls to teleport him back to Earth", but the text box incorrectly says "Right after, Goku disappeared. Actually, Krillin had asked Shenron for Instant Transmission."
• In the What-If saga Destined Rivals, Hercule fights 18 just like he does in the final round of the tournament in the anime, except in this What-If story, the tournament proceeds as planned.
• This is the first game to include filler characters, such as Pikkon and Garlic Jr. However, both appear in movies, and are placed with the movie characters (though Garlic Jr.'s role in the game is that of the anime).
• Full 3D models of Korin, Fortuneteller Baba, Dende, Babidi, and Old Kai appear in the Adventure mode.
• Though the names of all the characters are spelled using anime character names on the character selection screen, some text boxes use Vegito's manga name "Vegetto".
• On the Wii version, the game case says that you can only play with the Wii Remote and the Nunchuck, or the Classic Controller. In the game, you can play with the Wii Remote and the Nunchuck, the Classic Controller, or the GameCube Controller.
• When in tournaments, Supreme Kai's and Kibitoshin's names in the text box appearing just before and after battle read "Shin", the identity the former enters the 25th World Tournament under.
• For comical relief, the Dragon Ball GT part of Adventure mode ended with Goku (as an adult) deciding to have lunch and Vegeta mentioning his annoying behavior as if nothing happened.
• If Zangya is matched with Android 18, Zangya will say "Your man is kinda cute" to which Android 18 responds by calling Zangya a "skank." This was removed in Budokai Tenkaichi 3, probably because of its vulgarity as well.
• If Super Saiyan 3 Gotenks is tagged out in a tag battle, he will say "Peanut-butter jelly time!" as a reference to the popular internet meme.
• If Zangya beats Krillin or Master Roshi, she says "Don't cha wish your girlfriend was tough like me? Don't cha?" based on the song by the Pussycat Dolls and Busta Rhymes.
• When Goku faces Kid Goku, he says Kid Goku looks like him when he was younger, thinking Kid Goku is a completely different person. Kid Goku replies by telling Goku that he looks a lot like him.
• Early videos of this game showed health bars identical to those of Budokai Tenkaichi and Goku being able to transform into Super Saiyan 4. However, the health bar was changed and Super Saiyan 4 Goku was made a separate character before the game's release.
• In a video showing the beta version, the life bars and the Ki meters looked like those from Budokai Tenkaichi (as mentioned above), and it used Budokai OST by Kenji Yamamoto. Also, Lord Slug used Piccolo's voice (possibly a placeholder).
  • Also, Vegeta from the Buu Saga is seen transforming into Majin Vegeta but in the final version, Majin Vegeta is a separate character.
• For some reason Kazuyuki Sogabe didn't voice Android #13 before his death in this game (just like Kōhei Miyauchi in Dragon Ball Z: Ultimate Battle 22 and Dragon Ball Z: Shin Butōden as Master Roshi), the reason for this is because Sogabe lost his voice and quit voice acting in 2000 (Although he returned in 2005).
• The USA version of this game uses Future Trunks from Dragon Ball Z: Ultimate Battle 22's intro as a cover, reason of it is unknown.
• The Dragon Library erroneously states that Josh Martin voiced Super Buu and Justin Cook voiced Majin Buu (Pure Evil).
• Korin is written as "Karin" (his original Japanese name) in the English voice cast credits.
• Great Ape Vegeta's ultimate is incorrectly called "Super Garlic Gun" rather than "Super Galick Gun.".
  • This also applies to Great Ape Baby.

Gallery[]

Scans & screenshots[]

Budokai Tenkaichi 2 Wii cover Budokai Tenkaichi 2 PS2 cover Unused North American PS2 boxart North American PS2 Greatest Hits cover PAL Wii Cover The back of the US Wii box Budokai Tenkaichi 2 PS2 Pal Disc Budokai Tenkaichi 2 PS2 Ntsc Disc Budokai Tenkaichi 2 Wii Pal Disc Budokai Tenkaichi 2 Wii Pal Europe Disc Budokai Tenkaichi 2 Wii Ntsc Japan Disc Turles and Goku in the opening Main Menu Character select Kid Goku fires Ki Blasts Piccolo charging the Special Beam Cannon Krillin faces a Saibaman Nappa about to fight a weakened Krillin Krillin knocked down Nappa and Vegeta in a cutscene Gohan charges a Masenko Gohan fires his Masenko at Nappa Gohan charges his Gekiretsu Madan Gohan fires his Gekiretsu Madan Gohan's Bakuretsu Ranma rush Gohan prepares the Bakuretsu Ranma Gohan finishes his Bakuretsu Ranma Gohan's Bakuretsu Ranma barrage hits its target Goku and Vegeta kicking each other Goku using Kaio-ken Kaio-ken Goku Vegeta (Scouter) uses an Explosive Wave Goku charging the Spirit Bomb Goku throwing his Spirit Bomb at Vegeta Goku vs. Great ape Vegeta Great Ape Vegeta fires a Chou Makouhou Great Ape Vegeta and Yajirobe Yajirobe fighting Great Ape Vegeta Goku concentrating energy for a Spirit Bomb Goku's Spirit Bomb The Spirit Bomb's effect Vegeta using his Final Galick Cannon Krillin, Dende, Gohan Porunga Goku charges an Angry Kamehameha Frieza vs. Future Trunks Goku about to fight Turles Goku knocking away Turles Turles about to kick Goku Turles knocking Goku away Goku vs. Great Ape Turles Super Saiyan Gohan getting kicked by Turles Super Saiyan Goku kicking Lord Slug away Super Saiyan Goku follows Lord Slug Super Saiyan Goku kicks Lord Slug Super Saiyan Goku flying towards Super Saiyan Goku near Lord Slug Super Saiyan Goku punching Lord Slug Goku firing a Kamehameha Vegeta charges a Maximum Flasher Android 17 uses his Delta Combination on Krillin Android 17's Delta Combination Vegeta uses his Spirit Breaking Cannon The Spirit Breaking Cannon kick to the stomach The Spirit Breaking Cannon throw after the kick to the stomach Goku on the Glacier Vegeta about to knock Android 13 down Android 13 attacking Vegeta Super Saiyan Goku fighting Android 13 Super Saiyan Goku about to fire a Kamehameha at Super Android 13 Broly and Piccolo fighting Gohan uses his Chou Maretsugeki Super Perfect Cell Gohan starts off the Father-Son Kamehameha rush Gohan kicks Cell as part of the Father-Son Kamehameha rush Gohan's Father-Son Kamehameha Bojack defeating Piccolo Zangya blasting Krillin Vegeta firing a Galick Gun Gohan fighting Majin Buu Super Saiyan 2 Goku powers up Super Saiyan 2 Goku uses Full Power Vegeta and Goku performing the Fusion Dance Super Gogeta Tapion vs. Hirudegarn Tapion facing Hirudegarn Tapion attacks Tapion prepares an attack Tapion attacks Tapion attacking Hirudegarn Tapion fights Hirudegarn Ultra Super Saiyan Trunks vs. Hirudegarn Goku vs. Hirudegarn Goku transforms Super Saiyan 3 Goku and Hirudegarn about to fight Super Saiyan 3 Goku about to punch Hirudegarn Super Saiyan 3 Goku firing a Kamehameha at Hirudegarn Super Saiyan 3 Goku Goku's Dragon Fist The Dragon Fist Baby Vegeta firing a Galick Gun Baby Vegeta firing a Galick Gun Majuub blasting Vegeta Baby Vegeta and Majuub fighting Super Saiyan 4 Goku uses his Meteor Crash Super Saiyan 4 Goku vs. Golden Great Ape Baby Vegeta Super Saiyan 4 Goku charges a 10x Kamehameha Super Saiyan 4 Vegeta using the Final Shine Attack Syn Shenron kicking away Super Saiyan 4 Gogeta Syn Shenron blasting Super Saiyan 4 Gogeta Omega Shenron Omega Shenron punching away Super Saiyan 4 Gogeta Gogeta fires his 100x Big Bang Kamehameha

Characters[]

Goku Super Saiyan Goku Super Saiyan 2 Goku Super Saiyan 3 Goku Great Ape Goku Super Saiyan 4 Goku Vegeta (Saiyan Armor) Great Ape Vegeta Super Vegeta Vegeta (second form) Super Saiyan Vegeta Super Saiyan 2 Vegeta Majin Vegeta Super Saiyan 4 Vegeta Gogeta Super Saiyan 4 Gogeta Vegito Super Saiyan Vegito Kid Gohan Teen Gohan Super Saiyan Teen Gohan Super Saiyan 2 Teen Gohan Future Trunks (with sword) Super Saiyan Future Trunks (with sword) Future Trunks Super Saiyan Future Trunks Ultra Super Saiyan Future Trunks Kid Trunks Super Saiyan Kid Trunks Goten Super Saiyan Goten Gotenks Super Saiyan Gotenks Super Saiyan 3 Gotenks Krillin Yamcha Tien Shinhan Chiaotzu Piccolo Master Roshi Grandpa Gohan Great Ape Bardock Garlic Jr. Super Garlic Jr. Raditz Great Ape Raditz Nappa Great Ape Nappa Saibaman Cui Dodoria Zarbon Zarbon's Monster Form Frieza Frieza's second form Frieza's third form Frieza's fourth form Frieza's full power form Mecha Frieza Turles Great Ape Turles Lord Slug Lord Slug (Giant Form) Salza Cooler Cooler's Final Form Meta-Cooler Android 19 Android 17 Android 18 Android 16 Imperfect Cell Semi-Perfect Cell Perfect Cell Super Perfect Cell Cell Jr. Android 13 Super Android 13 Broly Super Saiyan Broly Zangya Bojack Bojack Videl Supreme Kai Dabura Super Janemba Majin Buu Super Buu Super Buu (Gotenks Absorbed) Super Buu (Gohan Absorbed) Kid Buu Pikkon Tapion Janemba Hirudegarn Pan Uub Majuub Baby Vegeta Super Baby Vegeta Super Baby Vegeta 2 Golden Great Ape Baby Super 17 Syn Shenron Omega Shenron

References[]

External links[]

• Official Website
• Official Atari Website (Wii Version)
• Official Atari US Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 2 forum
• Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 2 at IGN (Wii version)

Site Navigation[]