The oft-forgotten middle child of the Budokai trilogy (or tetralogy if you count Infinite World) is actually the one I've played the most throughout my life. It was my childhood DBZ Game, and I've been enamored with it for almost as long as I've been alive. While I'd argue games like Budokai 3 and Tenkaichi 3 are either a linear upgrade or a much more exciting experience personally, there is just something about Budokai 2 that just clicks differently. From it being the first cell-shaded DBZ title, to the plagiarized soundtrack, there is just something oddly strange and specifically 2000s about it that I don't think the others can truly capture for me.
The real shining star is the story mode. I know for a good number of people the story mode is probably the weak link, given how it is... well completely incorrect all across the board and shares very few narrative ties to the original manga/anime, but honestly that's what makes it so appealing. You can play it however you want.
My last playthrough had me roleplaying as Yamcha, the strongest in the universe. Having Yamcha go around beating up Frieza, Vegeta, Perfect Cell, and even landing the finishing blow on Kid Buu has been some of the most satisfying experiences I've had in a video game. Being able to craft your own narrative around these colorful characters and not being limited by the standard structure of the DBZ story is just so fun that I kinda wish more games in the series did things like this rather than just being straight retellings. It's basically just this game and Tenkaichi 3 that encapsulate this vibe so well.
The combat may be about as shallow as a rain puddle, but honestly for what is there I think there is still some complex things to engage with, though obviously the best strat is just doing the basic combo into your energy blast attack.
All in all, Budokai 2 is just such a gem, something newer generations will never really get to experience given the HD Collection doesn't include it, and I doubt this or any of the other earlier games will ever get a rerelease.
Also you can fuse Goku and Mr. Satan, this game is one of the best to ever do it.
The real shining star is the story mode. I know for a good number of people the story mode is probably the weak link, given how it is... well completely incorrect all across the board and shares very few narrative ties to the original manga/anime, but honestly that's what makes it so appealing. You can play it however you want.
My last playthrough had me roleplaying as Yamcha, the strongest in the universe. Having Yamcha go around beating up Frieza, Vegeta, Perfect Cell, and even landing the finishing blow on Kid Buu has been some of the most satisfying experiences I've had in a video game. Being able to craft your own narrative around these colorful characters and not being limited by the standard structure of the DBZ story is just so fun that I kinda wish more games in the series did things like this rather than just being straight retellings. It's basically just this game and Tenkaichi 3 that encapsulate this vibe so well.
The combat may be about as shallow as a rain puddle, but honestly for what is there I think there is still some complex things to engage with, though obviously the best strat is just doing the basic combo into your energy blast attack.
All in all, Budokai 2 is just such a gem, something newer generations will never really get to experience given the HD Collection doesn't include it, and I doubt this or any of the other earlier games will ever get a rerelease.
Also you can fuse Goku and Mr. Satan, this game is one of the best to ever do it.