Sequel to DBZ Budokai Announced @ Gaming Target

Written by Brian Vienneau on May 18, 2003

News: Man, I was rentin' gray-market DBZ tapes back in С93...

Atari has announced that a sequel to last year's popular fighter, Dragon Ball Z: Budokai, is in the works for the PlayStation 2.

Dragon Ball Z: Budokai 2 is based on the hit Dragon Ball franchise (if you prefer living under rocks...), and will include the fighting style and characters familiar to fans of the previous version, along with a new single-player mode and new opponents, as well as Уcharacter fusions.Ф These will include fusions not actually seen in the comic books or TV show.

"The Dragon Ball Z video game franchise has achieved significant success and fan status because they invite fans to 'play the show'," said Nancy MacIntyre, vice president of marketing for Atari's Beverly studio. "Budokai 2 will once again demonstrate Atari's ongoing commitment to delivering fresh and compelling interactive entertainment."

In an homage to Akira Toriyama, the creator of the Dragon Ball world, the title will feature "Toriyama shading." While this may sound like just a gimmicky name for cel-shading, Atari promises it'll help bring more of the distinct Toriyama style to the game.

"Atari continues to captivate fans by letting them participate in an authentically recreated Dragon Ball Z universe, including all of the most compelling story lines and memorable characters, said Gen Fukunaga, president of FUNimation Productions, the company that brought DBZ to North America. "With surprising gameplay features and graphics enhancements, Budokai 2 looks to set a new standard of DBZ video game excellence."

The title will feature 34 DBZ characters in all, including some not included in the original game, such as Videl and Dabura, along with three forms of Buu: Majin Buu, Super Buu and Kid Buu. There's also a new single-player УDragon Mode,Ф where players will travel throughout the DBZ world in search of the seven Dragon Balls, with help from computer-controlled teammates.

Dragon Ball Z: Budokai 2 is currently scheduled for a December release.