PSP - DragonBall Z Shin Budokai

Format
PSP
Publisher
Atari
Developer
Dimps
Country of origin
Japan
Genre
1 on 1 Fighter

DragonBall Z : Shin Budokai

By David Rasmussen
18th Jun 06

Name five Anime series that causes the fanbase of GVTV’s X-Play to call enmasse for the death of host Adam Sessler, and one of those series will no doubt be DragonBall Z.
Along with fans of Full Metal Alchemist, Inu Yasha, fans of Japanese RPGs, fans of Japanese hentai games, and so forth add to the list of Anti-Sessler-ites the fans of the DBZ franchise, with such failing reviews as DBZ : Budokai 1-2, DBZ Sagas, and DBGT Transformation for the GBA.

But I don’t know why DBZ fans are so anti-Sessler when he’s just telling you the truth.
With the notable exception of DBZ Budokai 3 (which X-Play gave a 4 out of 5) and DBZ BT (the newest PS2 fighter whose name eludes me -- which got a decent 3 out of 5 from X-Play) most of the rest of the games that came out within the past few years have been highly forgettable to an extreme.
Well right now we’ve got ourselves some new handheld DBZ to look at, prime point being the first effort to get a DBZ game out on the PSP (entitled Shin Budokai). So, then, let’s go to DBZ Town and see what’s going on with this new release shall we?

First off if you’re worried that Shin Budokai will recycle the same battles, and the same storylines from previous Budokai games you’ll be pleasantly surprised to find out that isn’t the case. Based on the recently released “Fusion Reborn” DVD release, Shin Budokai takes a new road in terms of storytelling (only unlike previous new direction game DBGT Transformation this actually works). This, known as the Dragon Road, is one of the new innovations of Shin Budokai (which is actually worth recommending).

In my first look I went over all the modes, so I won’t recap. I’ll just tell you the good and bad things about it, alternating back and forth.

Good? - The game is nice for a handheld. Once you dive into Training (the first thing you should do) you’ll find that you are taught the game’s moves via the old, and thus usually hated, way of “trial and error”. Only this time, unlike those other times, trial and error doesn’t suck. I quickly picked up on the quirks of the game, learning more as I experimented in the safety of Training in order to get my technique polished up. By the end of my first day of experimenting I was tossing Spirit Bombs like a pro.

Bad? - The characters are set in stone. While you can modify their energy level there is no specific stats to tweak and adjust (ala Budokai 3). That I missed from the previous version since it gave you a lot of reason to play the main storymode over and over again, leveling up your characters as you did.

Good? - The storymode is a new story, and it doesn’t feel like you’re reliving DBZ the series over and over again (fighting Vegeta, travelling to Namek and fighting Frieza, fighting Cell, etc.). This is a nice change of pace, especially if you are tired of DBZ games rehashing the same fights over and over. There is even a new never before seen level in this game (corresponding to the whole Fusion Reborn thing).

Bad? - The envirornments don’t see destructable, either that or I just haven’t done anything to destroy the environment yet. Also the story is set in stone (again), this time in the form of a specific set of characters you have to play level by level. Unlike Budokai 3 (which I will be referencing to abit in this review) you cannot pick your character to play as in storymode (Dragon Road). This kind of diminishes the replay value since you have only one path to travel, and one storyline to go over.

Also I miss the whole Dragon Rush thing, and the countering ability to dodge super attacks with the whole jan ken po (rock paper scissors) thing.

Good? - The game options are good. Several modes of gameplay (both singular and multiplayer) await to test your skills and ply your finger wiggling button mashing to the best of your abilities.

Bad? - I didn’t like the useless function the Dragon Shop now serves. Unlike before, where you bought capsule upgrades for improving your character’s stats, this time out you buy knick knacks to make your own DBZ trading card (which can, as I said, be bought OR unlocked by accomplishing certain things in the game modes). Now this might be nice, especially if you are a die hard fan slash collector of the series and it’s merchandise, but if you are a casual fan like me then it will do nothing for you whatsoever.

Good? - As far as fighters go this one is worth checking out. It has enough quirk and bite to keep you beating in heads and throwing out Kamehamehas until you get to your destination, and as far as Anime related fighting games goes I’m having fun playing it.

Bad? - I guess there was some bad points, but it’s nothing DragonBall Z : Shin Budokai 2 for the PSP can’t cure. Sequel me, everyone! Sequel me!

Oh, and gimme a B… gimme a R… gimme a… E…A-K… gimme DOWN and forget I rambled on like that (sorry).

DBZ Shiiiinnnnn Budokkkkkaaiiiiii BreeakkkkkkkDOWN!!!
(… yeah, I should be ashamed…)
What’s Hot?
I am not the usual fan of Anime fighter games, in fact I think the Fighter genre of Anime games is a cheap excuse for not spending more time on making a better “mouse trap” to snare fans of the series. But, when it comes to DBZ (a game born for the genre) I do find merit in this game. Sure to be a surefire time spender on your next trip, or your next visit to your local evacuation shelter or area during hurrican season, this is one of those quirky fighters that does keep you going for hours as you blast and fight your way through the gameplay modes.

It’ll be more fun, of course, if you found other players to link up to (and play against), so be sure to find a few friends to compete against.

What’s Not?
There are a few missing things I wish this game had, mentioned above, but overall I found the game had more merit to me than disappointments, so while I am disappointed I am not completely bummed out on this release. I do, however, want to express my desire to see the game evolve with it’s sequel when it comes out.

Moments to Remember?
It has a few quirkitudes, but it could have used more.

What to Ignore?
Sorry. If you were hoping that you would have to work to unlock your characters in this game that isn’t happening. With the exception of one character most characters are open from the getgo. I don’t know if there are any hidden characters, but it seems you don’t have much to look forward to in terms of unlockable characters in this game from what I experienced so far.

Overall?
A wish. I liked DBZ : Shin Budokai as a mild time passer of a fighter worth checking out, and while it’s not perfect it is a slice above lesser fighters not worth your time (MARVEL NEMESIS : Rise of the Imperfects comes to mind), so you should check it out (rent it, try it, see if it’s for you).
I do have one request, though, of the makers of this game.
Go upwards, oh gamemakers, not down! Do not drag down your sequel (Shin Budokai 2) if possible! Let it shine and let it evolve into a stronger and better game! I look forward to your future release on the PSP, and hope it will be a bright one. Good luck.

-- David Rasmussen 18th Jun 06

PSP DragonBall Z Shin Budokai Images