History YMMV / DragonBallZBudokai

* AwesomeYetImpractical: Some of the transformations are this. Particularly for characters that have several like Goku and Frieza. While it is incredibly satisfying to power up your ki and ascend through every super saiyan transformation up to [=SSJ4=], it limits your options in fights since equipping all those transformations means you won't have many spare slots for special moves or support capsules.

* SNKBoss: When playing as Goku, Budokai 3 has Cell. Before him, none of the previous bosses really stand too much of a chance (with the possible exception of Frieza in his full power form). Cell has more health than you, and is incredibly durable to most of the attacks that you have unlocked at this point. The Kamehameha sort of helps, but good luck landing a hit on him with it because he usually blocks it or moves out of its way.

* WakeUpCallBoss: Again, Cell in ''Budokai 3''. As mentioned above, none of the bosses before him are too much of a challenge.

* AwesomeYetImpractical: Some of the transformations are this. Particularly for characters that have several like Goku and Frieza. While it is incredibly satisfying to power up your ki and ascend through every super saiyan transformation up to SSJ4, it limits your options in fights since equipping all those transformations means you won't have many spare slots for special moves or support capsules.

* SuspiciouslySimilarSong: Many of Kenji Yamamoto's works sound eerily similar to songs by Finnish power metal band Stratovarius. The most obvious is Budokai's "[[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=icQ4ySVZw7E Warrior from an Unknown Land]]" compared to Stratovarius's "[[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p5V8niow0EA Infinity]]". [[hottip:*:Doesn't make Budokai's soundtrack any less awesome, though.]] In fact, years after the Budokai games were released, Yamamoto was fired because Toei found out about his plagiarism. The HD collection of the Budokai games uses a completely different soundtrack.

** Piccolo's Light Grenade in Budokai 2 & 3. It only costs half a ki bar AND does some pretty heavy damage. In the first Budokai, the damage it does isn't as much though and you can't spam it like you can in 2 & 3.

** Piccolo's Light Grenade. It only costs half a ki bar AND does some pretty heavy damage.

-->'''Majin Buu:''' Do you like chocolate?

* SurprisinglyImprovedSequel: ''Budokai 3'' is considered a vast improvement on the previous games.

* FridgeBrilliance: Notice how in ''Infinite World'', GT Goku's Super Kamehameha is the same one he blew Commander Black to bits with in the movie ''The Path to Power.'', which is based on the original ''DragonBall''. Why's this? Because technically (Thanks to similar art styles) the Goku in that ''was'' GT Goku!

** The WhatIf in the first game where Cell accidentally absorbs Krillin. Made even funnier by the fact his the ''only'' WhatIf where the villain ''loses''.

* WakeUpCallBoss: Again, Cell in Budokai 3. As mentioned above, none of the bosses before him are too much of a challenge.

* FridgeBrilliance: Notice how in ''Infinite World'', GT Goku's Super Kamehameha is the same one he blew Commander Black to bits with in the movie ''The Path to Power.'', which is based on the original ''DragonBall''. Why's this? Because technically (Thanks to similar art styles) the Goku in that was GT Goku!

** In one bonus storyline in Dragon Universe, Vegeta goes behind a bush so he can do a FusionDance with Goku without being seen "dancing around like a fool." Goku mistakes him for...taking care of [[NobodyPoops business.]]

** [[{{Adorkable}} Saiyaman...]][[SuperSentai just]] [[AffectionateParody Saiyaman]]. His ultimate is merely him introducing himself and pulling off a pose! Do it right and he gets an attack boost. Screw it up and he looks ever so stupid.

* CharacterTiers: Not as bad as some other fighters but they're definitely present. Omega Shenron is top tier due to powerful combos and by default having 7 base ki bars, meaning he fills up to max ki without having to charge, and Piccolo, Cell, and Dabura are up there with them because of their fast ranged physical combos. Bottom tier is Saibaman and Mr. Satan.

* WhatTheHellCastingAgency: In ''Budokai 1'', its easy to wonder why Great Saiyaman, a Buu Saga character mind you, made it into a game that only went up to the Cell Saga.

* SurprisinglyImprovedSequel: ''Budokai 3'' is considered a vast improvement on the previous games.
* ThatOneBoss: When playing as Goku, Budokai 3 has Cell. Before him, none of the previous bosses really stand too much of a chance (with the possible exception of Frieza in his full power form). Cell has more health than you, and is incredibly durable to most of the attacks that you have unlocked at this point. The Kamehameha sort of helps, but good luck landing a hit on him with it because he usually blocks it or moves out of its way.

** [[{{Adorkable}} Saiyaman...]][[SuperSentai just]] [[AffectionateParody Saiyaman]]

** [[{{Adorkable}} Saiyaman...]]][[SuperSentai just]] [[AffectionateParody Saiyaman]]

-->'''Omega Shenron''': ''(Folding arms, not amused.)'' I don't grant wishes for candy.
** In one bonus storyline in Dragon Universe, Vegeta goes behind a bush so he can do a FusionDance with Goku witohut being seen "dancing around like a fool." Goku mistakes him for...taking care of [[NobodyPoops business.]]