System: PSP
Dev: Dimps
Pub: Atari
Release: March 20, 2007
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: Teen
Preview by Matthew Walker

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Review Rating Legend
1.0 - 1.9 = Avoid
2.0 - 2.4 = Poor
2.5 - 2.9 = Average
3.0 - 3.4 = Fair
3.5 - 3.9 = Good
4.0 - 4.4 = Great
4.5 - 4.9 = Must Buy
5.0 = The Best

For example, you might need to deliver a certain number of moves in order to be successful. With 18 playable characters, including favorites ranging from Goku to Gotenks, you can guarantee many hours of honing the moves of your favorites. What would a DBZ fighting game be without the memorable battlefields, and there is no disappointment here. Again staying true to the fans, there will be battlefields for Namek, the Desert, and Kami's Lookout, to name a few. There will also be an all-new stage based on the Janemba movie.

Graphically, it should come as no surprise that the characters resemble their animated counterparts. In simplest terms, if it is not broke, don't fix it. That is exactly what Dimps and Atari have done. However, if you watch closely the animation is crisper than the previous installment, even if it is minuet. The backgrounds, of course, go hand in hand with the character models - bright, colorful, and resembling the show. Equally pleasing to the ears as it is to the eyes.

If there is one thing that the DBZ crew have taught us, it is that they care enough about the franchise in order to make it portray the series as close as gamingly possible. Yeah, the voice over actors of the show may have been over the top or a little overbearing, but at least they have continued that tradition in the games and this one is no different. Even the poppy-techno music of the show is present. So, if you have never liked the voice-overs or the music of the show, you might be turning this one down. If you happen to love that sort of thing, then this is right up your alley.

Dragonball Z: Shin Budokai - Another Road comes through for those of us that needed another DBZ fix after Tenkaichi 2. Though nothing truly remarkable, it does provide a great follow up to an already good game. Fans of the PSP and of DBZ should already be on their way to the game store now to pick up this latest installment that will keep you busy for hours. Unfortunately, it might make you anticipate the sure to be coming soon sequel.

By Matthew Walker
CCC Freelance Writer

Features:

Dragonball Z takes another Road on the PSP!
by Amanda L. Kondolojy

After the success of last year's Dragonball Z: Shin Budokai for the PSP, it seemed a sequel was inevitable. Dragonball Z: Shin Budokai - Another Road may seem to be another incarnation of the same old Dragonball Z formula, but Atari and developer Dimps have tried to add enough upgrades and distinguishing features to make this title distinctive from all the numerous other Dragonball Z: Budokai button mashers out there.

First of all, there's the story. Instead of the Goku/Vegeta-centered storyline that is the standard for most Dragonball Z fighters, Dragonball Z: Shin Budokai - Another Road's story mode (aptly titled Another Road) focuses on future Trunk's ability to fight Majin Buu. If this sounds a little different, that's because it is. It takes place in a future world/ alternate universe that was not a part of the anime's original story. But story variations are good in a franchise that has lasted over a decade (Dragonball Z first hit American shores as an anime series in 1996), and fans might find themselves pleasantly surprised to see a different story after 11 years.

However different the story is this time around, fear not, because all the familiar controls are here. Three main attack buttons, with a block button, and a spirit charge and release button round out the basic fighting controls. Although these are pretty simple, they are very accessible to expert fighters as well as Dragonball Z newbies who want to try out the franchise. It also allows for some growth and strategizing when dealing with friends and badguys alike. There's also some new and improved ki attacks for some of the more prominent characters and ultimate attacks that can be performed (with some skill) to relegate and dispose of the competition in signature Dragonball Z style.

As far as other modes are concerned, there is another rehash of all the old favorites including Z-trial, and arcade mode. Nothing really too different, but it's always fun seeing how fast and in how many different ways you can beat up you foes, isn't it?

There's also an ad-hoc multiplayer mode that let's you beat up your closest friends within range using your unlocked z-characters in an arcade-style match.

Graphics are also the same as last time around, and look great on the PSP. Characters and environments closely recall the anime visuals that made the franchise so popular way back when. One noticeable improvement is the camera system, which was notoriously flawed on the first PSP installment. Developer Dimps has made it a point to overhaul the camera mechanics and early videos show it to be more intuitive and responsive to gameplay. This is definitely good news for PSP users who found the shaky camera mechanics of the first Dragonball Z game to be tedious and somewhat annoying.

One department the Dragonball Z Budokai games have always been very good with is the sound department. All of the original cast are back to reprise their decade old role with the same energy they brought to the series way back in the mid-90's. Variations of the different Dragonball Z theme music help to get you in the fighting mood, and sound effects are used well in gameplay.

Overall, it looks like Dragonball Z: Shin Budokai - Another Road is going to be another one of those traditional formulaic beat-em-up Dragonball Z games. However, from an early look, it seems that there just might be enough upgraded features and all-new story facets to please both casual gamers and hardcore fans of the ever-upgrading Dragonball Z: Budokai game series.

By Amanda L. Kondolojy
CCC Freelance Writer

Features: