Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Comes to GameCube

May 8, 2003, 8:58 am EDT
Total comments: 2

Over 1.3m shipped units on PS2 means the memo stamped 'port it' is circulated within Atari.

Atari Brings Best-Selling Dragon Ball Z Franchise to Nintendo GameCube This Fall

BEVERLY, Mass.--May 8, 2003--The blockbuster fighting game of 2002 makes its way to the Nintendo GameCube(TM) as Atari today announced that Dragon Ball Z®: Budokai(TM) will be available for Nintendo players nationwide this October. Created by DIMPS, Dragon Ball Z®: Budokai(TM) has shipped more than 1.3 million units in North America since its December 2002 release on the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system.

"We are thrilled to bring Dragon Ball Z®: Budokai(TM) to the Nintendo GameCube with a heart-pounding interactive parallel to some of the most exciting sagas from the animated television series," said Nancy MacIntyre, vice president of marketing, Atari's Beverly studio. "Nintendo GameCube owners who have eagerly awaited the Nintendo GameCube arrival will now be able to enjoy all the Dragon Ball Z® excitement that made Budokai such a hit."

Dragon Ball Z®: Budokai(TM) spans from the Saiyan(TM) Saga through the Cell Games and allows players to experience the fantastic DBZ® universe. The game features five heart-pounding fighting modes, including Story Mode, where players reenact some of the most exciting scenes from the animated series, and Tournament Mode, where players can face off to crown a single DBZ® fighting champion. With 23 of the most famous DBZ® heroes and villains in full 3D, Dragon Ball Z®: Budokai(TM) spans 29 heart-stopping levels and features over 60 different combo moves per character, including their most infamous attacks from the animated series.

Originally developed in Japan, the Dragon Ball series has become the number one animated series in many countries including Japan, France, Spain, Hong Kong and Mexico. It is the top-rated series on Cartoon Network's Toonami block and was the number-one rated show among all U.S. cable TV programs for 'tweens 9-14, boys 9-14 and men 12-24 during the 2002 season's launch line-up.

For additional information on Dragon Ball Z, visit www.dbzgamer.com.

Talkback

Ian SaneMay 08, 2003

Let's see. We have a popular license game that's widely considered to be pretty crappy. Now we make a lazy, bug-ridden Gamecube port and *poof* instant low sales. Anticipate a statement from Atari in two weeks stating that they're cutting back Gamecube support due to poor sales.

DjunknownMay 08, 2003

Seems like old news. Budokai will appeal to the DBZ fans, it might be worth a rent.

I still say Dragon Ball is better than DBZ. it was more of a funny adventure story with lots of cute antics. But since that is a long time ago and since Cartoon Networks butchers the content (with semi-good reasons, can't expose American Children to Son Goku's wee wee now can we?) A modern Dragonball game may be just wishful thinking.

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