DBZ: Budokai Tenkaichi 2 producer talks PS2, Wii and how to humiliate your opponent

This past week Dragonball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 2 popped in stores for the Playstation 2 with a traditional control set up seen in the previous DBZ games. On November 22 Atari is releasing a Wii version with a motion controlled fighting system. To see what both versions of Dragonball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 2 have in store for gamers and fans of the anime series we speak to the producer, Donny Clay.

Siliconera: Dragonball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 2 is the largest DBZ game to date, covering the original Dragonball all the way to GT. Just how many characters are in the game?

Donny Clay (producer): Because we are covering so much of the story, there are actually over 120 playable characters in the game, more than any other fighting game in history.

How does each version of Goku (Dragonball Goku, DBZ Goku and GT Goku) handle?

Overall Goku is a very balanced fighter so he handles very well. He will always play like this but as he transforms he will have more power.

With so many characters are there “doubles”?

As with Goku, each character will handle differently but when they are in their different forms they will have more or less power but still fight the same.

In your opinion which character in the game surprised you and who is you’re best character?

I actually like the “joke” characters like Hercule just because it is more humiliating to my enemy when they are defeated.

A lot of fans want to know about the characters and a lot of gamers want to know about the single player mode. What’s changed and what’s expanded?

There are nine other modes including single player and multiplayer modes. Those include story, tournament, VS. ultimate battle are the different modes in which you actually fight. There are others things such as baba’s shop and the dragon library as well however. The story mode has really improved and features all three parts of the trilogy from Dragon Ball to Dragon Ball GT.  The story mode in Budokai Tenkaichi 2 has been really improved over the first Budokai Tenkaichi. The story mode in the original was more of a slide show while the story mode in this game includes about 60 hours of gameplay and is much more RPG like. There are objectives and world maps you fly around as you work through the entire Dragon Ball mythology: Dragon Ball, Dragon Ball Z and Dragon Ball GT.

Is DBZ: Budokai Tenkaichi 2 essentially the same game on the Wii, except with new controls?

Other than the huge control system difference, the games are the same. We should not minimize the difference in the controls though. Playing with the Wii is way different even if you are executing the same moves.

Are there any extra characters or graphical upgrades for the Wii version?

The graphics on the Wii are slightly better but a novice will not notice huge differences between the 2 platforms.

Can you tell us how the control has scheme on the Wii and what some of the motions are?

The Nintendo version of the game will take advantage of the unique game controller system featured with the Nintendo Wii to deliver a completely new DBZ fighting experience. Players will be able to attack with the “Game Remote Controller” and move characters as they like, using the controller almost as if it were a “Nunchaku.” These controllers make Dragon Ball battles even more dramatic and exciting than ever before. To do a smash attack, for instance, hold down the attack button and swing the Game Remote Controller. To do a Kamehameha, twist and stab the Game Remote Controller with holding Ki button. It’s just like being in the TV show.

Does the Wii release use the traditional Gamecube controller as an alternative to the Wiimote/nunchuck setup?

Yup, we’d hate for people to have to stop playing because they were exhausted from reenacting Saiyan moves.

Since Dragonball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 2 already looks pretty good not having a major graphic overhaul might be forgivable. It is really the control scheme that intruiges me about the title. DBZ: Budokai Tenkaichi 2 is the first versus fighting game on the Wii and it is taking a huge leap of faith. Well maybe not so huge since the Dragonball Z TV game was fairly successful when it was released in Japan.