Dragon Ball is a worldwide phenomenon. There’s no way to deny it. If you aren’t a fan yourself, chances are someone in your circle is. Over the last nearly 40 years, it has consistently risen in popularity, with fans spanning across all walks of life and generations.
For many, the dream Dragon Ball game would roughly be summarized like this: a game that represents all characters throughout the series, many of its multiple arcs and captures the feeling of the show’s battles to a tee. For most, that dream is about to come true after years of waiting.
Dragon Ball Sparking! Zero is the latest in the Dragon Ball Sparking! series, originally known as Budokai Tenkaichi to US audiences. After nearly a decade of dormancy, Bandai Namco announced the revival of the series. As more information made its way to the public, it became clear that they were planning to release one of the biggest Dragon Ball games to date. Now that the time has come, it’s clear they weren’t lying, as the over 180-character roster and extensive story prove.
Conquest and Power – Story Mode
Sparking! Zero’s story is told through episodic battles. These are alternate timelines of all of the most important fights throughout the Dragon Ball timeline–from DBZ all the way through Super. This isn’t like a typical linear story, though. Instead of just chapters centering around one character, many of them have their own series of episodes. Fights are separated by exposition filled cutscenes, both static and animated.
With the way the story mode is done, it feels like it covers only a portion of the different arcs and story beats. If you feel like an important detail was left out of a story, that still doesn’t mean it was ignored entirely. It may just be a part of a different character’s set of episodes. But still, don’t be surprised if one of your favorite fights are missing. I would argue that the episodes are the weakest link in Sparking! Zero’s chain, albeit still really strong. The entire game is structured in a way that encourages you to play as other characters in as many ways and as much as possible.
Two of the coolest parts of this game on the story side are the “what if” scenarios and the ability to make your own stories. The scenarios, called Sparking! Episodes, add some fresh and alternative experiences for fans of the show. If you’ve ever wondered how fights may have turned out if things had gone differently, now’s your chance. And to make matters cooler, you have the option to make your own mini-stories, allowing you to let your imagination run wild.
No Small Matter! – The Gameplay
For fans of the Budokai Tenkaichi series, the gameplay should feel slightly familiar. While many components of the original games’ fighting are still present, they’ve been greatly expanded upon. Everything has been sped up tremendously, leading to fights that look and play like their animated counterparts.
Everything feels fluid, with consistent frames that really capture the speed of the fights. While at first, it may appear the game is just a button-mashing fest, the actual depth of all of the balancing and mechanics prove otherwise.
Characters/Balancing
First things first, the characters themselves are unbalanced. Still, this is to ensure that they’re accurate to their canon, so it’s a respectable decision. It wouldn’t make much sense for a character like young Goku to stand the same chance against Beerus as his adult self. While it may not be impossible, it makes sense that there would be drastic differences between characters.
This sort of approach is visible throughout the entire roster. And while it isn’t the same, balancing still technically exists in the form of Destruction Points. The stronger the character, the higher the number of destruction points. So if you want to use the best characters, you’ll have to have a smaller team.
And while you could just pick a Fusion character, you’ll miss out on certain buffs and usually a health bar or two and still could lose a character slot. It’s usually better to add both characters to your team and fuse them yourself. The same goes for transformations. While you could just play as Super Saiyan God Goku, you can “easily” play as Goku and reach the transformation yourself.
Fighting
Sparking! Zero’s combat is rather intensive. While at the surface level there are many common fighting games mechanics like low, mid, and high block and special moves, there’s a lot more depth than just that. The special move meter can be charged up with R2, and fully charging it twice enables you to use the most powerful option.
Alongside the special meter are skill levels. One skill level is used for a character’s ultimate attack, and higher skill levels allow for a more dynamic fight. They can be used to transform and fuse with other teammates where applicable. Many characters have multiple transformations, and as I mentioned above, it’s usually best to reach those transformations yourself.
While Sparking! Zero can be played without any knowledge past the basic tutorial, there is much more depth to it. Between transformations, fusions, the different super moves, and things like parries and counter-attacks, there’s a lot to learn. Like any fighting game, Sparking! Zero gets even better after learning the depth of everything in the training mode.
Secrets Revealed – Customization and Unlockables
It wouldn’t be a fighting game without unlockables and customization. And Sparking! Zero has it in spades. Through challenges milestones, the in-game store, AND leveling up individual characters, you can unlock various items and clothing to make any character your own.
You can also collect different dragon balls to give yourself a boost or unlock even more items by summoning one of the Eternal Dragons. Just like the other unlockables, dragon balls can be acquired through tasks and milestones.
Multiplayer
For the most part, Sparking! Zero’s online component is done well, with only a few drawbacks. There are the usual ranked and casual modes, as well as tournaments that let you play with the rules of many of the show’s tournaments, while custom tournaments allow for more personalized rulesets.
The only downside of the online component is the lack of a rollback net code, which causes some occasional laggy match full of hiccups. Still, when that issue isn’t reading its ugly head, the experience is extremely enjoyable and fun. Then there’s the split screen.
Don’t get me wrong, I love the fact that split-screen multiplayer is an option here. It’s not often that I get to play a game on the couch with friends and family like old times. However, due to the technical limitations of some consoles, the only arena available is the hyperbolic time chamber.
The lack of variety and destructible environments can put a damper on the fun after experiencing just how crazy matches can get. Aside from those very specific flaws, the multiplayer itself is well done and a blast to take part in.
Impressive Detail Times Ten! – Graphics and Sound
The aesthetic of Dragon Ball Sparking! Zero is one many fans of the series, especially the games, will be familiar with. The best comparison I could make is if the Budakai Tenkaichi series formed together with 2020’s Dragonball Kakarot. Much of the show’s style and animations are translated perfectly in the game’s 3D space in such a way that many fans will be extremely satisfied. Accuracy is a huge factor when playing a licensed game, and Bandai Namco understood that assignment.
The sound design is just as spot-on as the visuals. Every detail is accounted for, from the impact of punches and kicks to the sound of a dash and the super moves. Characters have unique dialogue with each other regardless of whether they ever met in the shows. The attention to detail is heavy throughout every aspect of this game, and with every layer, the game remains fresh for hours on end.
Back in the Game – Replayability
With all of the detail and love that went into Sparking! Zero, the overall gameplay loop itself provides nearly endless replayability. Still, if you aren’t a huge fighting game fan, there’s enough to keep you entertained for a long time. Between the many different modes and unlockables, there’s plenty to do. I’m sitting at roughly 20-30 hours, and I still haven’t unlocked or completed a portion of what the game has to offer. And that’s not even taking into account all the trophies that are available, which there are a lot of. Be ready for a lot of work to achieve that platinum.
Conclusion
Dragon Ball Sparking! Zero is possibly one of the greatest Dragon Ball games of all time. The huge cast of characters, attention to even minute details, and nearly endless entertainment value are enough to make this one of the biggest games of the year.
While yes, the game is full of fan service, it’s fan service done right. It’s no coincidence it sold 3 million copies on its first day. It’s safe to say that whether you are a Dragon Ball or fighting game fan, Sparking! Zero is a title that shouldn’t be missed.
Joys
- A gargantuan roster that will just keep expanding
- Captures the energy of the show’s battles perfectly
- Tons of replayability
Cons
- Not enough content from the OG Dragon Ball series
