Summary
The next majorDragon Ball Zfighting game may be closer to release than expected if a prominentDragon Ballrumormonger and leaker is to be believed. It’s been over a decade since the last major release in theDragon Ball Z Budokai Tenkaichiseries, so fans were shocked when a new game was announced in March as part of the Dragon Ball Games Battle Hour event. News about the nextDragon Ball Z Budokai Tenkaichigame has been scarce since, but that may not mean the game is too far off.
The last majorDragon Ball Z Budokai Tenkaichigame was released in 2010, titledDragon Ball Z Tenkaichi Tag Team. Three games were released in the franchise before then, in 2005, 2006, and 2007 respectively. The series was considered by fans to be shelved when a teaser trailer dropped in March. The teaser trailer featured a montage ofgameplay clips from pastBudokai Tenkaichigames, transitioning into modern in-engine footage of Goku transforming into his Super Saiyan Blue form. Text on the screen confirmed, “A NewBudokai TenkaichiBegins.”
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Perpetually onlineDragon Ball Zfan, rumormonger, and leaker Geekdom101 recently shared some news that is likely to stir up excitement within the fandom. In a post on Twitter, Geekdom101 said, “Tenkaichi 4is coming sooner than people realize.” The leaker didn’t stop there, either. In the replies for the post, they’d later add thatDragon Ball Z Budokai Tenkaichi 4could be arriving early 2024, perhaps in spring.
Unfortunately, Geekdom101 was unwilling to share any specific information or to confirm where their information was sourced from. Their comments regardingDragon Ball Z Budokai Tenkaichi 4’s release windowwere also nonspecific and contradictory. In one reply they say it depends on what fans mean by “early” 2024, while in another they say “yes!!!” to a follower guessing at February. One thing they do say explicitly is the newBudokai Tenkaichiis absolutely not launching in 2023.
While it’s true that in recent years publishers likeDragon Ball Z Budokai Tenkaichi’s Bandai Namco have announced games closer to launch, there was no such indication with theDragon Ball Z Budokai Tenkaichi 4reveal. Few fans expected it to launch any time soon. IfDragon Ball Z Budokai Tenkaichi 4is actually further into development than fans believe, it would be shocking, though not impossible.
The gaming industry is seeing a wave of fighting games being released like it hasn’t seen in years.Street Fighter 6has started the wave off strongly, withMortal Kombat 1andTekken 8arriving soon.Dragon Ball Z Budokai Tenkaichi 4could capitalize on that wave of excitement for fighting games, too, if it positions its release date correctly. WithTekken 8scheduled for January 2024, perhaps a spring release forDragon Ball Z Budokai Tenkaichi 4would be perfect if it can be managed.
Dragon Ball Z Budokai Tenkaichi 4is in development.
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