Bandai decided to drop the polygonal look of last year's models and opt for the now ever popular, cel-shaded variety. This actually works here considering that it is based on a cartoon, err excuse me, animation. The player models and the worlds they duel in are very colorful and unique. All the characters from recent history are here in most unique fashion. This is not your daddy's Ryu and Ken, no sir. Characters like Vegeta and Goku may seem typical, but distinctive characters like the Buus, Cell, and Dabura will make you notice right away this is another world entirely. Not only are the fighters cool, but also the animations are slick and diverse, especially when performing special moves. The game, like the show, cuts to a cut scene complete with facial emotion and brilliant lighting and textures. This is the closest representation to date to playing the Cartoon Network phenomenon, and I'm sure fans will be pleased. Heck even some non-fans may dig the style so much they become fans of the show themselves. All in all the presentation and style finally gives fans what they've wanted for years now.

Audio has also been given the royal treatment, bringing back all the voice actors from the series to perform dialog for the game. The fans of the Japanese series will have to deal with the overdubs of the US version, as a dialect option was not present this year. To match the glorious voices, the game supplies a great variety of songs not only for menus and cut scenes, but also the battles. Also captured for the game are all the special effect nuances that fans will notice from the start; Whether it's performing a special move, or turning into Super Saiyan, all the correct sounds are implemented here as well. With such love and attention to detail, fans will be impressed to say the least, and will be happy to turn those speaker levels up in the thick of battle.

One major gripe I had about last year's title, was that all the moves performed seemed too similar. This year brings a deeper fighter all together. Sure, everyone has their basic set of moves, but it's when you perform specials and super moves that the game's depth opens up entirely. Dragonball Z- Budokai 2 utilizes the 4-button strategy similar to Virtua Fighter or DOA series, X Guards, Triangle Kicks, Square Punches, and Circle performs your Ki Blast Wave. Hitting these buttons in certain sequence can provide for some devastating combos. The lack of jumping into the air is still oddly enough absent from this game again, as you must be thrown into the air to fight in that style. Otherwise the game allows for a full 3D battle that will appease to veterans and casual fans alike. One other thing worth noting is the ability to edit your skills. You can increase and trade skills with another friend to allow your player to be not only different from the default, but from another opponent of the same name. While basic, it may be a great tool for future incarnations that will even increase the depth to unlimited proportions. All in all the gameplay style remains on the easy side, but provides more depth than the original.

DBZ has a good assortment of modes to play with. The typical Dueling (Exhibition), World Tournament, and Training Modes provide for endless hours of fun for one to two players. But what would a DBZ title be without a story mode? Well Budokai 2 provides one with a little twist. Entitled Dragon World, you become Goku and you are on a quest for the seven Dragon Balls. Along the way you unlock characters, skills, and earn Zenie (or money to the somewhat DBZ impaired, like me). What makes this journey and mode unique is the design. Set up in strategy board game fashion, i.e. Risk, you move along the board in turns, and depending on the space and color you land on, your fate is chosen. This is an exceptional and rare way to tell a story, and it even makes you use your noodle in the process. At first glace I was puzzled by the use of this strategy in a fighting game, but it really just adds to the depth of this remarkable game and places it in a category among itself. Overall, this sequel has brought a lot to the table for DBZ fans to enjoy. It should easily keep most fans busy for some time, whether they play single player or with friends.

Despite some very small shortcomings, Dragon Ball Z- Budokai 2 is finally the game fans of the series have waited all this time for. For non-fans of the show, there is still plenty to enjoy here, and if you need a fighting fix, this will no doubt appease that desire.