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You might recall that I really enjoyed Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 2 for the Nintendo Wii back when it launched with the system last November. There were a few minor annoyances with the game, such as having to keep your Wiimote pointed at the screen at all times, but for the most part it was an excellent fighting experience for the fledgling system, whether or not you like DBZ (I don't.) Here at E3 I managed to get some hands-on time with the next iteration of the series for the Wii, Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 3, and it looks to improve on the last game in nearly every way, while adding a first for DBZ console games...online play.
Yes, the Wii does have an online component to it folks, and Atari is looking to prove it in a big way with Tenkaichi 3, which means that I won't have to settle for getting my ass handed to me by my nephew when there are so many other people out there ready to kick my butt into mountainsides again and again.
My main problem with the last game has been completely done away with, replacing the weird screen-in and out component for super moves with simple motion controls, which allow you to still look like a badass without looking like a badass with an unhealthy obsession with a little circle floating obtrusively in the middle of your screen. It felt very and fluid while still allowing for a range of motion wide enough to 'accidentally' smack your opponent in the face with your control should they start to win.
The rest is really more of what the fans of the series want. There are now over 150 characters to unlock via the relatively complex fusion system from the last title, with 30 fighting arenas to keep things fresh. The graphics look a bit sharper but overall there doesn't seem to be too much more in the way of tweaks, and honestly that's fine with me. My one major problem has been addressed, and the addition of online fighting is just icing on the cake, as long as it, you know...works. We'll find out for sure this holiday season! *keeps fingers crossed*

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