Come Sarà Dragon Ball Z Budokai Tenkaichi 4?

Italians know how to set hearts racing with just a few words - "Un nuovo Dragon Ball Budokai Tenkaichi." Those words alone are enough to send thousands of fans of the iconic franchise created by the legendary Akira Toriyama into a frenzy. During the finals of the Dragon Ball FighterZ World Tour, Bandai Namco seized the moment to unveil a trailer for a new installment in the series. But what is it? Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 4, or perhaps a reboot? What can we expect from the gameplay? Let's dive into the excitement and unravel this together.

In the spotlight is Goku, in his Super Saiyan God Super Saiyan form. In just over a minute, the video showcases a rapid montage of spectacular battles from the original Budokai Tenkaichi: Goku, Freezer, Trunks, Cell, Piccolo, Vegeta, Majin Buu, Gohan, and Vegeth, all clashing on the screen of a gradually enlarging television. And then, as if by magic, Goku charges his aura, and the imagery takes over the entire screen. The transformation is nothing short of extraordinary, as our hero turns into Super Saiyan Blue, accompanied by the bold text, "Prepare for battle," followed by "A new Budokai Tenkaichi begins."

So, what does this tantalizing glimpse of the new chapter reveal? It's primarily Goku, within a seemingly Namekian desert landscape. It might not be much, but it's more than enough to ignite fan enthusiasm. While we await official information, here's an interesting tidbit: in Japan, the game will be called Dragon Ball Z: Sparking!, retaining the original Japanese name of the franchise. This hints at the possibility of a reboot, but it doesn't rule out the idea of a full-fledged fourth chapter.

The Evolution of Dragon Ball Games

The transition from Budokai to Budokai Tenkaichi wasn't without its challenges. The traditional fighting mechanics in Dimps' developed games had matured and successfully delivered the fan service needed to thrill enthusiasts. However, the spatial dynamics in battles between Goku and his adversaries are a fundamental ingredient of both the manga and the anime. Bringing these battles convincingly to the screen required embracing three dimensions. Characters needed to fly, dash, and move freely, and the impact of an energy wave dodged at the last moment crashing into a mountain had to be depicted.

Spike achieved this and broke the monotony inherent in "pure" fighting games like Budokai. They created a substantial and long-lasting title with a rich story mode and a diverse roster of characters, enabling scenarios unattainable in Budokai's rigid mechanics. However, Bandai Namco's pivot brought with it challenges, such as collision precision, command responsiveness, and visual management, which arena fighters only partially resolved and over a considerable period.

Bandai Namco's strategic shift almost two decades ago laid the foundation for a new path. It led to the birth of the Xenoverse series, catering to both brand enthusiasts and genre purists, a feat well-known to Arc System Works experts. Subsequent installments made significant strides in delivering a more natural and less wooden gameplay experience while expanding the roster. Yet, they struggled to inject the games with deeper character development.

Anticipating a Grand Return

The third installment, Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 3, brought a staggering number of characters from all sagas, spectacular moves, and a combat system that evolved intelligently. So, what can we anticipate from this grand return? Let's consider the development: with Xenoverse ideas likely exhausted (despite excellent sales, especially for the second installment still receiving DLC), the Japanese publisher will probably entrust the new Budokai Tenkaichi to a studio other than Dimps.

Moreover, we may witness a market shift. Currently, arena fighters dedicated to Dragon Ball are dominated by Xenoverse, a franchise that might make way for the new Budokai Tenkaichi. With this project, Bandai Namco aims to offer an even more compelling interpretation of the three-dimensional combat mechanics they've honed over the years.

In terms of gameplay, many questions remain. Will the camera still be behind the shoulder? Will transformations be separate, or can characters transform during battles? Will there be balancing efforts like in FighterZ? When it comes to the quantity of characters, there's little doubt that the new Budokai Tenkaichi will encompass the entire roster of Dragon Ball Z and Dragon Ball Super, featuring numerous significant characters.

Expecting the Unexpected

It's challenging to imagine profound character development for every fighter, but fans are eager to see the return of the very first saga. To ascend to the throne of the ultimate Budokai Tenkaichi, no character should be left out. Will the new episode boast an abundance of fighters at launch? More likely, the roster will be expanded through updates and Season Pass content. We can also hope for the inclusion of some character Easter eggs – perhaps another surprise fighter designed by Toriyama.

As for game modes, we're eagerly awaiting details. The original Budokai Tenkaichi trilogy followed a traditional narrative structure, progressing through the events of the animated series and placing players in control of different characters as the story unfolded. However, the classic Dragon Ball Z storylines have been well-tread and may require a fresh approach. They might opt for alternative narratives, as seen in Dragon Ball FighterZ, possibly with the direct involvement of Akira Toriyama.

Side modes could witness the return of the Tenkaichi Tournament, featuring elimination battles and various environments. Perhaps, the Tournament of Power from Dragon Ball Super will also make an appearance. Creativity and imagination will be the guiding forces, and we've witnessed intriguing innovations in career modes, survival challenges, and training sessions in the past.

The development journey appears to have just begun, and scarce information is available regarding the release date. It might be a couple of years, or even a bit longer. So, what do you want to see in the new Budokai Tenkaichi? Share your thoughts in the comments, and until next time, check out the exciting videos on the side that might pique your interest. The Dragon Ball legend is set to return, and it's going to be nothing short of epic.