View source for Dragon Ball Z: Budokai 2

{{Short description|2003 video game}}
{{Infobox VG
| title = Dragon Ball Z: Budokai 2
| image = Dragon Ball Z Budokai 2 cover.jpg
| caption = European cover art
| developer = [[Dimps]]{{efn|Ported to GameCube by Pyramid, Inc.}}
| publisher = {{vgrelease|
NA|[[Atari, Inc. (1993–present)|Atari]]|
EU|[[Bandai|Bandai Europe]]|
AU|[[Bandai Namco Entertainment Australia|Atari Australia]]|
JP|[[Bandai]]}}
| series = ''[[Dragon Ball]]''<br>''[[Dragon Ball Z: Budokai|Budokai]]''
| designer = 
| engine = 
| released = '''PlayStation 2'''<br />{{vgrelease|EU|November 14, 2003}}{{vgrelease|AUS|November 23, 2003}}{{vgrelease|NA|December 4, 2003}}{{vgrelease|JP|February 5, 2004}}'''GameCube'''<br />{{vgrelease|NA|December 15, 2004}}{{vgrelease|EU|March 18, 2005}}{{vgrelease|AUS|April 8, 2005}}
| genre = [[Fighting game|Fighting]]
| modes = [[Single-player video game|Single-player]], [[Multiplayer video game|multiplayer]]
| platforms = [[PlayStation 2]], [[GameCube]]
}}
'''''Dragon Ball Z: Budokai 2''''', released as {{nihongo|'''''Dragon Ball Z2'''''|ドラゴンボールZ2|Doragon Bōru Zetto Tsū}} in Japan, is a [[fighting game|fighting]] [[video game]] developed by [[Dimps]] based upon the [[anime]] and [[manga]] series, ''[[Dragon Ball Z]],'' and a sequel to ''[[Dragon Ball Z: Budokai (video game)|Dragon Ball Z: Budokai]].'' It released for the [[PlayStation 2]] in 2003 and for the [[GameCube]] in 2004 and was published in Japan and Europe by [[Bandai]] and in North America, Australia and South Africa by [[Atari SA]].

==Gameplay==
The World Tournament allows players to compete against up to 8 players in a Martial Arts Tournament. If more than one human player is present no prize money is available, but with only one human player prizes can be won. Dueling mode allows a player to fight the computer at a preset skill level, or two human players to fight each other using any custom skills. A player may also watch a fight between two computer fighters.

Made up of three sections, the Skill Shop, character editing, and instructions. A player may edit skills on either memory card. Aside from Dragon World, the Skill Shop is the place to get your skill capsules. [[Bulma]] will wear a different costume depending on how many the player has collected in Dragon World.

Each character has a Health bar, and a Ki bar. When the health runs out, the character loses (as in most fighting games). Ki is required to perform special moves, and Ki blasts. Characters can dodge attacks. There are varying mechanics for ultimate moves, some will automatically work upon their execution, some require a button input within a certain timeframe, some require rotating the control stick to build power, and some require both players to rotate control sticks in a struggle.

==Development and release==
In Japan, 2,000 [[V-Jump]] readers were able to get '''''Dragon Ball Z2V''''',<ref>{{cite web |date=January 20, 2018 |url=https://www.excite.co.jp/news/article/Mitok_114258/?p=4 |title=非売品ゲームコレクターが選ぶ「有名レアソフト」５選！ |website=[[Excite (web portal)|Excite]] |accessdate=July 12, 2020 }}{{Dead link|date=August 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> a revamped version of the game.

==Soundtrack==
{{Main|Dragon Ball Z & Z 2 Original Soundtrack}}

==Reception==
{{Video game reviews
| NGC = true
| PS2 = true
| na = true
| GI_PS2 = 7.5/10<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Kato |first=Matthew |url=http://www.gameinformer.com/NR/exeres/E1824EA3-40E1-4E62-B750-EC9AA7B555AD.htm |title=Dragon Ball Z: Budokai 2 (PS2) |magazine=[[Game Informer]] |issue=129 |date=January 2004 |page=133 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080130064928/http://www.gameinformer.com/NR/exeres/E1824EA3-40E1-4E62-B750-EC9AA7B555AD.htm |archive-date=January 30, 2008 |url-status=dead |access-date=June 15, 2014}}</ref>
| GamePro_NGC = {{Rating|2.5|5}}<ref>{{cite magazine |author=Clockwork Crow |date=December 27, 2004 |url=http://www.gamepro.com/nintendo/gamecube/games/reviews/40731.shtml |title=Dragon Ball Z: Budokai 2 Review for GameCube |magazine=[[GamePro]] |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20050129055233/http://www.gamepro.com/nintendo/gamecube/games/reviews/40731.shtml |archivedate=January 29, 2005 |url-status=dead |accessdate=June 15, 2014}}</ref>
| GamePro_PS2 = {{Rating|3|5}}<ref>{{cite magazine |author=The Funky Zealot |date=December 4, 2003 |url=http://www.gamepro.com/sony/ps2/games/reviews/31875.shtml |title=Dragon Ball Z: Budokai 2 Review for PS2 |magazine=[[GamePro]] |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20050212132623/http://www.gamepro.com/sony/ps2/games/reviews/31875.shtml |archivedate=February 12, 2005 |url-status=dead |accessdate=June 15, 2014}}</ref>
| GSpot_NGC = 6.6/10<ref>{{cite web |last=Davis |first=Ryan |date=January 7, 2005 |url=http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/dragon-ball-z-budokai-2-review/1900-6115979/ |title=Dragon Ball Z: Budokai 2 Review (GC) |website=GameSpot |accessdate=June 15, 2014 |archive-date=March 31, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220331032240/https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/dragon-ball-z-budokai-2-review/1900-6115979/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
| GSpot_PS2 = 6.7/10<ref name=GSpotPS2>{{cite web |last=Davis |first=Ryan |date=December 4, 2003 |url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/dragon-ball-z-budokai-2-review/1900-6085051/ |title=Dragon Ball Z: Budokai 2 Review |website=[[GameSpot]] |accessdate=July 12, 2020 |archive-date=November 24, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201124213937/https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/dragon-ball-z-budokai-2-review/1900-6085051/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
| GSpy_NGC = {{Rating|3|5}}<ref>{{cite web |last=Theobald |first=Phil |date=January 5, 2005 |url=http://cube.gamespy.com/gamecube/dragon-ball-z-budokai-2/577532p1.html |title=GameSpy: Dragon Ball Z: Budokai 2 (GCN) |publisher=[[GameSpy]] |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20060101013745/http://cube.gamespy.com/gamecube/dragon-ball-z-budokai-2/577532p1.html |archivedate=January 1, 2006 |url-status=dead |accessdate=June 15, 2014}}</ref>
| GSpy_PS2 = {{Rating|2|5}}<ref>{{cite web |last=Schiaparelli |first=Frank |date=December 28, 2003 |url=http://ps2.gamespy.com/playstation-2/dragon-ball-z-budokai-2/6512p1.html |title=GameSpy: Dragon Ball Z: Budokai 2 (PS2) |publisher=[[GameSpy]] |accessdate=June 15, 2014 |archive-date=September 9, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150909104639/http://ps2.gamespy.com/playstation-2/dragon-ball-z-budokai-2/6512p1.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
| GameZone_PS2 = 7.3/10<ref>{{cite web |last=Knutson |first=Michael |date=December 18, 2003 |url=http://ps2.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r22769.htm |title=Dragon Ball Z®: Budokai(tm) 2 Review - PlayStation 2 |publisher=GameZone |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20081004025959/http://ps2.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r22769.htm |archivedate=October 4, 2008 |url-status=dead |accessdate=June 15, 2014}}</ref>
| IGN_NGC = 7.5/10<ref>{{cite web |author=IGN staff |date=February 2, 2005 |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2005/02/02/dragon-ball-z-budokai-2-2 |title=Dragon Ball Z Budokai 2 (GCN) |website=[[IGN]] |accessdate=June 15, 2014 |archive-date=August 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230824202044/https://www.ign.com/articles/2005/02/02/dragon-ball-z-budokai-2-2 |url-status=live }}</ref>
| IGN_PS2 = 7.4/10<ref>{{cite web |last=Dunham |first=Jeremy |date=December 2, 2003 |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2003/12/02/dragon-ball-z-budokai-2 |title=Dragon Ball Z Budokai 2 (PS2) |website=[[IGN]] |accessdate=June 15, 2014 |archive-date=August 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230824202103/https://www.ign.com/articles/2003/12/02/dragon-ball-z-budokai-2 |url-status=live }}</ref>
| JXV_PS2 = 14/20<ref name=JXVPS2>{{cite web|author=Logan|date=November 17, 2003|url=https://www.jeuxvideo.com/articles/0000/00003632_test.htm|title=Test : Dragon Ball Z : Budokai 2|website=[[Jeuxvideo.com]]|accessdate=July 12, 2020|archive-date=May 6, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200506215037/http://www.jeuxvideo.com/articles/0000/00003632_test.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>
| JXV_NGC = 14/20<ref name=JXVNGC>{{cite web|author=Kitty|date=March 18, 2005|url=https://www.jeuxvideo.com/articles/0000/00005205_test.htm|title=Test : Dragon Ball Z : Budokai 2|website=[[Jeuxvideo.com]]|accessdate=July 12, 2020|archive-date=February 15, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200215014947/http://www.jeuxvideo.com/articles/0000/00005205_test.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>
| OPM_PS2 = 6/10<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Pattison|first=Louis|url=https://archive.org/details/ops2041/page/n119/mode/2up|title=Dragon Ball Z: Budokai 2|magazine=[[Official UK PlayStation 2 Magazine]]|date=December 2003|issue=41|page=120}}</ref>
| MC_NGC = 66/100<ref name=MCBK2GC>{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/dragon-ball-z-budokai-2/critic-reviews/?platform=gamecube |title=Dragon Ball Z Budokai 2 for GameCube Reviews |website=Metacritic |accessdate=June 15, 2014 |archive-date=April 9, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140409050002/http://www.metacritic.com/game/gamecube/dragon-ball-z-budokai-2 |url-status=live }}</ref>
| MC_PS2 = 66/100<ref name=MCBK2PS2>{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/dragon-ball-z-budokai-2/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-2 |title=Dragon Ball Z: Budokai 2 for PlayStation 2 Reviews |website=Metacritic |accessdate=June 15, 2014 |archive-date=July 14, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714053926/http://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation-2/dragon-ball-z-budokai-2 |url-status=live }}</ref>
}}

In Japan, ''Dragon Ball Z 2'' sold 584,183 copies.<ref name="gamedatalibrary">{{cite web |title=Game Search |url=https://sites.google.com/site/gamedatalibrary/game-search |website=Game Data Library (Famitsu data) |access-date=30 January 2019 |quote=Dragon Ball |archive-date=24 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190424035430/https://sites.google.com/site/gamedatalibrary/game-search |url-status=live }}</ref> In the United States, ''Budokai 2'' sold {{nowrap|1.5 million}} copies<ref>{{cite web |title=US Platinum Chart Games |url=http://www.the-magicbox.com/Chart-USPlatinum.shtml |website=The Magic Box |access-date=9 November 2021 |archive-date=9 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211009200207/http://www.the-magicbox.com/Chart-USPlatinum.shtml |url-status=dead }}</ref> and was the fourth top [[video game rental]] of [[2004 in video games|2004]].<ref>{{Cite magazine|date=8 January 2005|title=Marketplace: A Look At The 2004 Video Chart Picture|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=UxQEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA39|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|publisher=[[Nielsen Business Media, Inc.]]|volume=117|issue=2|page=39|issn=0006-2510}}</ref> The game sold a total of {{formatnum:{{#expr:584183+1500000}}|}} copies in Japan and the United States.

Both version have an aggregate score of 66/100 on [[Metacritic]].<ref name=MCBK2GC/><ref name=MCBK2PS2/> [[GameSpot]], who gave the game a 6.7/10 commented that "The improved visuals are nice, and some of the additions made to the fighting system are fun, but ''Budokai 2'' still comes out as an underwhelming sequel."<ref name="GSpotPS2"/>

During the [[7th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards]], the [[Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences]] nominated ''Budokai 2'' for "[[D.I.C.E. Award for Fighting Game of the Year|Console Fighting Game of the Year]]", which was ultimately given to ''[[Soulcalibur II]]''.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.interactive.org/awards/award_category_details.asp?idAward=2004&idGameAwardType=46 |title=2004 Awards Category Details Console Fighting Game of the Year |publisher=[[Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences]] |website=interactive.org |access-date=24 August 2023 |archive-date=10 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230810231522/https://www.interactive.org/awards/award_category_details.asp?idAward=2004&idGameAwardType=46 |url-status=live }}</ref>

{{clear}}

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* {{moby game|id=/dragon-ball-z-budokai-2}}

{{Dragon Ball games}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:2003 video games]]
[[Category:3D fighting games]]
[[Category:Atari games]]
[[Category:Dimps games]]
[[Category:Dragon Ball Z: Budokai]]
[[Category:GameCube games]]
[[Category:Multiplayer and single-player video games]]
[[Category:PlayStation 2 games]]
[[Category:Video games with cel-shaded animation]]
[[Category:Video games scored by Kenji Yamamoto (composer, born 1958)]]