Third and finest Budokai Tenkaichi entry with the series' most complete roster. Combat fluidity, character variety and gameplay depth reach their peak. The absolute DBZ game benchmark on PS2, recommended for fans and genre newcomers alike.
Your verdict
Category
Fighting2 players12+
Description
The 2007 Spike conclusion to the Tenkaichi trilogy, widely considered the formula's peak. More than one hundred and fifty characters, online play and even more refined aerial combos: it's also the last major Dragon Ball Z on PS2 and a benchmark of the arena-fighter subgenre.
Dragon Ball Z - Budokai Tenkaichi 3 review
MAX
Art direction
★★★★★
"Iconic"
4/5
Music
★★★★★
"Excellent"
4/5
Story
★★★★★
"Captivating"
Cel-shading faithful to Akira Toriyama's manga, dazzling transformations and arenas pulverised by impacts: the anime comes alive controller in hand. The energy of the clashes and the readability of the 3D models overflow with faithfulness. This visual generosity, dynamic and colourful, satisfies fans like few adaptations.
Gameplay
"Excellent"
Fun
"From the very first seconds"
Soaring across 3D arenas and clashing in supercharged duels, between energy blasts, transformations and over a hundred and fifty fighters: the scale of this DBZ versus is dizzying. The freedom of movement and the constant spectacle deliver an instant rush. Generous, faithful and explosive, a dream blow-off for any fan of the cult anime.
Addictiveness
"Obsessive"
Facing your opponent in a free 3D arena, flying, charging your ki and then unleashing a devastating ultimate attack recreates the sweep of the animated fights. A bloated roster and modes to unlock keep reviving the urge to try a new character. The balancing is shaky and the camera messy, but this faithful excess stays irresistible with friends.
Difficulty
"Balanced"
Lifespan
"Massive"
With its outsized roster of more than a hundred and fifty fighters, this entry offers content to savour character after character. Working through the modes, unlocking the entire cast and battling in 3D arenas endlessly restarts the pad. That profusion, served by spectacular clashes, founds a longevity dear to Dragon Ball fans.
Technical info
💾1,8 GB📅04/10/2007
Published by Atari
Dragon Ball Z - Budokai Tenkaichi 3 (PS2) price, value & rarity
The North American NTSC release of Dragon Ball Z - Budokai Tenkaichi 3 is regarded as the peak of the Tenkaichi line, boasting the largest roster ever assembled on PS2. Arriving late in the cycle, it met explosive demand that lastingly outpaces supply, driving loose and complete values sharply upward. The included Japanese audio track deepens its appeal to purists, and sealed copies reach high levels carried by a nostalgia that has stayed intense.
Is Dragon Ball Z - Budokai Tenkaichi 3 still worth playing in 2026?
The culmination of Spike's Tenkaichi series, Budokai Tenkaichi 3 pushes the free 3D arena formula to its peak with a colossal roster of over a hundred and fifty fighters, night battles, an online mode and even more spectacular staging. The total coverage of the Dragon Ball universe, the speed of the clashes and the outsized generosity of the content make it the branch's reference. The camera and readability stay improvable. A brawler to recommend for Dragon Ball fans and lovers of spectacular arcade combat.
