It’s an exciting time to be a Dragon Ball fan. Akira Toriyama’s legendary manga, which debuted in Weekly Shonen Jump in 1984, is celebrating its 40th anniversary. Shueisha is marking this milestone with the launch of a new anime, Dragon Ball Daima, and a brand-new video game, Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero, both premiering on the same day. This coordinated release isn’t a coincidence; it signifies a significant step forward for both mediums and a celebration of the franchise’s rich history. Sparking! Zero offers a fresh experience while retaining the familiar elements that have captivated fans for decades. It’s a fusion of the past and present, poised for a bright future. The game evokes the nostalgic feel of Budokai Tenkaichi on the PlayStation 2 while incorporating much-needed improvements that elevate it above spiritual successors like Dragon Ball Xenoverse. This is the Dragon Ball game you’ve been dreaming of.
A Return to Budokai Tenkaichi Roots
Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero revitalizes the long-dormant Budokai Tenkaichi franchise. The last entry, Dragon Ball Z: Tenkaichi Tag Team, released on the PlayStation Portable in 2010. Since then, numerous games have attempted to recapture the series’ magic, but the transition from the PlayStation 2 to PlayStation 3 era proved challenging. Many titles tried to emulate Budokai Tenkaichi, often falling short. It wasn’t until Dragon Ball Xenoverse that fans found a game that truly scratched that Budokai Tenkaichi itch. Sparking! Zero, despite the name change (reflecting a fresh start and acknowledging the original Japanese title), is a true Budokai Tenkaichi sequel. It retains the core elements that fans loved while addressing some of the series’ long-standing criticisms. The franchise has always prioritized delivering the ultimate Dragon Ball experience, even at the expense of perfect game balance.
Dynamic Arena Combat
Sparking! Zero is an arena fighter with expansive battlefields and enhanced movement mechanics. Flying is faster and more fluid than ever. New features, like an extra dash step and a powered-up ki dash, allow for quicker closing and rapid traversal. Close-quarters combat is frenetic, with deeper mechanics for guarding, dodging, and parrying. When both players utilize the full range of these mechanics, the game delivers a near-perfect recreation of Dragon Ball’s iconic battles.
One significant improvement is the Skill Count meter. This meter, alongside Ki and Health bars, gradually fills over time or increases with successful hits. Skill Points enable the use of stat-boosting skills (like Solar Flare) or charging Ki beyond its maximum to access special modes and unleash super attacks. The meter charges quickly, preventing excessive spamming of ultimate techniques, although some spamming remains possible within the charged mode. The vast arena space can also tempt players to rely on ranged energy attacks rather than engaging in hand-to-hand combat.
Matches are fast-paced and easy to replay. Team Battles, allowing up to five fighters per match with timed swaps, add further depth and variety. Transformations add another layer of excitement. The only potential drawback, unlikely to bother Dragon Ball fans, is the game’s intentional imbalance.
Embracing the Dragon Ball Canon
Sparking! Zero prioritizes authenticity over traditional fighting game balance. Stronger characters are demonstrably more powerful, reflecting the Dragon Ball canon. Mastered Ultra Instinct Goku outclasses early Dragon Ball Z Goku, who in turn dwarfs a Frieza Soldier. This design choice allows fans to fully realize their Dragon Ball fantasies. While skill can bridge the gap (defeating Jiren (Full Power) with Mr. Satan is theoretically possible), the power disparities are noticeable. This approach makes sense given the game’s extensive 182-character roster at launch.
A Celebration of Fan Service
While the roster’s size is impressive, it may not satisfy every fan. Classic Dragon Ball representation is limited, but Sparking! Zero is the first game to incorporate canonical material from Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods onward. The selected characters offer diverse movesets, minimizing generic specials and rush attacks. Character speeds vary to reflect their canonical abilities, but balance is sacrificed to maintain roster size and adherence to the source material.
The game’s single-player content exemplifies its dedication to fan service. Episode Battle follows eight different characters’ storylines, varying in length based on their involvement in the overall narrative. Goku’s journey spans from the Saiyan Saga to the Tournament of Power, while Jiren’s focuses solely on the tournament. Performance in specific matches can significantly alter the Episode Battle experience.
What If? Scenarios and Custom Battles
“What If?” scenarios, triggered by choices or fulfilling secret battle requirements, offer branching paths and alternate storylines. These can range from minor changes to significant narrative shifts. For example, fighting Raditz without Piccolo’s help (and receiving assistance from Krillin instead) leads to Goku surviving Raditz’s final blow, altering the Saiyan Saga’s trajectory. Without his death, Goku never learns the Kaioken or Spirit Bomb, showcasing how events might unfold without these techniques.
These “What If?” scenarios are highlighted by special “Sparking! Episode” cutscenes. Custom Battle mode allows players to create their own episodes with customizable title backgrounds, music, and fight motivations. This mode offers immense creative potential and is likely to become a fan favorite.
Visual Fidelity and Performance
Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero is visually stunning. Particle effects, explosions, character movements, and energy attacks are rendered with impressive fidelity, closely resembling the anime. Occasional stutters can occur during intense moments with significant environmental destruction, but these are rare. The frequent use of Super attacks is a visual feast.
Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero is the Budokai Tenkaichi 4 that fans have long awaited, but it’s also an excellent entry point for newcomers. It offers a fantastic first impression and a welcome reunion for veterans. This is the Dragon Ball game you’ve been waiting for.
Rating: 5 out of 5
Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero releases on October 11th (October 7th for early access) on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC. A code was provided by the publisher for the purpose of this review, and it was reviewed on a PlayStation 5.
