As a kid, my Dragon Ball action figures saw countless battles, recreating iconic anime clashes. Limited figures meant other toys filled in, sparking imaginative scenarios. Playing my first Dragon Ball game felt like unlocking a treasure trove of new figures. Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero captures that feeling, offering a massive roster and the freedom to create dream matchups. However, this 3D fighter isn’t without its shortcomings. While the gameplay shines, the disjointed story mode and uninspired branching paths hinder the overall experience.
Mastering the Ki and Beyond
Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero opens with a basic tutorial featuring Goku and Vegeta. It covers fundamental mechanics like attacking, charging Ki, and special moves. However, this introduction barely scratches the surface. Jumping straight into other modes leaves players unprepared for the depth of combat. While not as demanding as Dragon Ball FighterZ, Sparking! Zero is far more nuanced than button mashing. Dedicated time in training mode is crucial for grasping essential techniques like vanish attacks, counters, transformations, and team-based mechanics.
The shop and customization menu also present a hurdle. Unlockable capsules provide character buffs, reminiscent of previous Budokai titles. However, navigating the unsorted, unfiltered shop and inventory is tedious. The sheer number of situational buffs makes optimizing character builds feel like a chore. While dedicated fans might enjoy this level of customization, the cumbersome system detracts from the experience.
Super Saiyan blue goku flying in Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero.
Once these initial hurdles are overcome, Sparking! Zero‘s combat truly shines. The game captures the dynamic energy of the anime, with thrilling exchanges of blows, teleports, counters, and devastating Ki blasts. Mastering the interplay of attacks, Ki management, parrying, and rush techniques is crucial for overcoming opponents. While occasional frustrations arise from unavoidable juggles and Ki charging standoffs, the emphasis on offensive pressure and strategic tool use makes for rewarding gameplay.
The faithful recreation of iconic moves is a highlight. Each character’s signature attacks are meticulously crafted, reflecting their unique fighting style. Even Goku’s moveset evolves with each transformation. The dynamic camera angles, vibrant colors, authentic sound effects, and opponent reactions further enhance the experience. The dedication to accurately representing each of the 180+ characters showcases the developers’ passion for the source material.
A Fragmented Narrative
The Dragon Ball Z saga has been revisited countless times, leaving little room for fresh perspectives. Sparking! Zero attempts to innovate with Episode Battles and branching paths, but these additions fall short. Episode Battles replace a traditional campaign, focusing on individual character stories. Goku’s story, the longest, unlocks other character episodes as it progresses through the sagas. This structure results in a disjointed narrative, jumping between major events with minimal context. Following a chronological storyline requires pre-existing knowledge and constant switching between character episodes.
Goku in Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero.
While certain characters benefit from standalone campaigns, fragmenting the main cast diminishes the impact of iconic moments. The lack of narrative buildup and the low-budget cutscenes, primarily composed of static character models, undermine the emotional weight of key events. Despite strong voice acting, including original English dub cast members, the lifeless presentation falls flat.
The branching story paths, a highly anticipated feature, fail to deliver. Choices presented to the player, such as accepting Piccolo’s help against Raditz, offer minimal deviations from the main storyline. Optional battle conditions unlock additional scenes or fights, but these “what if” scenarios lack creativity and feel predictable. The Custom Battle mode offers a more compelling avenue for exploring alternate timelines.
Unleash Your Inner Storyteller
Custom Battles is where Sparking! Zero truly embraces its sandbox potential. Players can craft their own mini-narratives with varying levels of customization. Streamlined options allow for quick scenario creation, while advanced settings offer granular control over characters, stages, and story elements.
The most compelling feature is the ability to set custom conditions. Dozens of triggers introduce dynamic elements, such as transformations based on health thresholds or tag-team mechanics activated by specific attacks.
A menu in Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero shows Episode Battles.
While the Custom Battle tools aren’t perfect, especially the limited cutscene maker, the absence of voice-over options is a significant missed opportunity. Even using the show’s narrator to read custom text would greatly enhance the immersion.
Despite these limitations, Custom Battles, along with community-created scenarios, promise to extend Sparking! Zero‘s lifespan beyond traditional multiplayer.
A Wish Partially Granted
Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero offers a vast playground for fans, but sacrifices narrative coherence for content breadth. Creating dream matchups and exploring custom battles provides hours of entertainment, but the fragmented Episode Battles disappoint. Had the game captured the narrative highs of the anime while maintaining its creative freedom, it would have been a true wish fulfilled. Instead, it’s a fun, albeit flawed, experience.
Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero was tested on PlayStation 5.
