First Dragon Ball Z game on PS2, featuring accessible 3D fights between iconic franchise characters. Mechanics are simple but fan service is generous. Decent entertainment for DBZ fans, with no competitive ambition.
Your verdict
Category
Fighting2 players12+
Description
The Japanese and Korean edition of the very first Budokai, released in early 2003 simply as "Dragon Ball Z." The franchise's first modern 3D fighter, by Dimps and Atari/Bandai, condensing the Saiyan-to-Cell sagas into a brisk arcade formula full of free-roaming 3D Kamehamehas.
A fighting-game adaptation of Dragon Ball Z, in its Korean edition, replaying the series' emblematic clashes in cel-shading faithful to the anime. Its interest lies in the power of the license and this local release rather than scarcity, the title having stayed widespread. A piece valued by Dragon Ball fans and collectors of Korean editions of licensed games.
Is Dragon Ball Z still worth playing in 2026?
A fighting game from Dimps and Banpresto, this first Dragon Ball Z on PS2 stages the warriors of Akira Toriyama's universe in snappy 3D duels, built on transformations, energy attacks and spectacular combos. The anime faithfulness, the broad cast and the immediate fun of the clashes win you over, especially in two player. The limited technical depth and a degree of repetition cap the competitive interest. A brawler to recommend for fans of Dragon Ball Z and accessible arcade versus.
