Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 2 is Ready For PS2; Gearing Up For Innovation on Nintendo Wii

by Louis Bedigian

“The Nintendo game will.…deliver a completely new DBZ fighting experience. It's just like being in the TV show.”

Dragon Ball Z is the anime series that changed everything. It put Cartoon Network on the map as the first national network to bring serious anime to North America. The series was extremely long, airing new episodes daily for months at a time. No matter how many times Goku and Gohan saved the day, we couldn’t get enough.

Though the series has ended its daily run, Dragon Ball Z will continue to live on through new video games. Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 2 is the latest addition to the popular fighting series, and we’ve got exclusive screens to show you how the game has been progressing. 

The previous installments launched exclusively on PlayStation 2 and were later ported to GameCube. Budokai Tenkaichi 2 is coming to Sony’s console, and it will be joined by a Nintendo Wii version that could forever change the way we play fighting games.

“Budokai Tenkaichi 2 gives fans what we like to call ‘the ultimate DBZ experience,’” said Producer Donnie Clay. “It features the most characters from the franchise, and allows you to experience them in a ‘light RPG’ type of way. Including, of course, the killer fighting elements.” 

Who are some of the new characters Budokai Tenkaichi 2 will introduce?

Donnie Clay: Lord Slug -the Super Namek- and Android 13, who are both characters from the DBZ movies, will be added, along with a number of other new characters. Just like in the anime, Slug will be capable of transforming into a giant version of himself during battle. This means that although he is a single character, he will have two dramatically different fighting styles before and after transformation. Android 13 will be capable of transforming into Super Android 13 during battle. Like Slug, Android 13’s fighting style will also change from a speed-oriented character before transformation to become more power-oriented after transformation.

Is the game going to use the same graphical style as the first? Will there be any visual differences between the Wii and PS2 versions?

DC: This game will feature the same graphical style of the first Budokai Tenkaichi to look like the anime. We have sharpened the graphics for the sequel. The graphics on the Wii are slightly better but a novice will not notice huge differences between the 2 platforms. 

Let's talk specifically about the Wii and PS2 versions. I assume the PS2 controls will be like they were before. But what about the Wii version? How is the game taking advantage of its unique motion-sensing capabilities?

DC: The basic game mode will be the same but the Nintendo game will take advantage of the unique game controller system featured with the Nintendo Wii to deliver a completely new DBZ fighting experience. Players will be able to attack with the "Game Remote Controller" and move characters as they like, using the controller almost as if it were a "Nunchaku." These controllers make Dragon Ball battles even more dramatic and exciting than ever before. To do a smash attack, for instance, hold down the attack button and swing the Game Remote Controller. To do a Kamehameha, twist and stab the Game Remote Controller with holding Ki button. It’s just like being in the TV show.

Were there any unusual challenges that came up in developing the game for Wii?

DC: It was a whole new way to develop, so the project was challenging but exciting. Ideally we would like to move towards perfecting more supermoves for fans to execute.

Are there any other features unique to the Wii version? Are there any features unique to the PS2 version?

DC: Other than the huge control system difference, the games are the same. We should not minimize the difference in the controls though. Playing with the Wii is [much] different even if you are executing the same moves. 

What game modes will Budokai Tenkaichi 2 offer, both on Wii and on PS2?

There are nine different game modes, including single and multiplayer.

Can you tell us about the game's timeline? When and where does it take place?

DC: The game covers the complete Dragon Ball mythology from Dragon Ball to Dragon Ball GT.

Are there any new special moves being introduced? Any new combos to perform?

DC: The vanishing attack is new and the ability to do tag battles is new.

Lastly, I want to confirm: Budokai Tenkaichi 2 will launch alongside the Wii, correct?

DC: The Wii version of the title will launch the day of the Wii launch and is the only fighting title for Wii.

Thank you for your time.