Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero is on its way, bringing with it all the elements that make up a great simulation of Dragon Ball combat. As the successor to the acclaimed Budokai Tenkaichi series after a decade of inactivity, expectations for Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero are high, and the game looks capable of meeting them. Sparking Zero’s first major gameplay showcase not only added eleven more characters and forms to its growing roster, it also demonstrated how it was recapturing and evolving the gameplay of Budokai Tenkaichi.
With fighters ranging from Dragon Ball Z’s Saiyan Saga all the way to DBS's Tournament of Power and Dragon Ball Super: Broly movie, the Power vs. Speed trailer has given fans a lot to look forward to in Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero’s cast of characters. Plenty of other details were packed into the rest of the gameplay showcase, centered around a full fight between Goku and Vegeta, and a breakdown by producer Jun Furutani. Certain features such as Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero’s use of splitscreen local multiplayer, are still up in the air, but this presentation has given the Dragon Ball fan base its first real taste of how Sparking Zero will play.
The Fundamentals of Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero
In essence, Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero looks like Budokai Tenkaichi’s direct sequel, exactly as advertised. Combatants will fly around massive arenas full of destructible objects, launching Ki Blasts and occasionally closing in for rush attacks and combos. Dragon Dash is present as expected, but Jun Furutani drew attention towards the heightened speed in general. Now, players' regular movement will be comparable to past great Dragon Ball games’ dashing, and the dash button prompts a short dodge. According to magazine scans, this drains different amounts of Ki depending on whether the user is a Power of Speed-type character.
Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero Emphasizes When Battles Reach Their Peak
Fighting should feel fast and frantic, with “Impact Action” allowing blows and Ki Blasts to collide with each other. Precise Z-Counters and Vanishing on command are still present, as well as Vanishing Attacks used to extend combos as opponents are thrown across the map. Ki Wave beams and Dragon Ball's other super moves return as well, in addition to beam struggles, which involve a classic timing minigame accompanied by a mystery “Boost” button, and Ultimate Attacks. Accessing Ultimates requires overcharging Ki to enter a Max Power state, darkening the sky and playing special music. Transformations also seem to consume numbered orbs that build up beneath the Ki Gauge, but this mechanic has not been explained yet.
Everything New Coming To Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero
Players will no doubt be wondering if Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero has anything new in store, and fortunately, it does. While some details are still under wraps, Sparking Zero's new Skill Count meter was shown for the first time, and it's clearly a big part of gameplay. Separate from the Ki gauge, this bar automatically builds stocks over time, and is spent on specific actions that may include a magazine-teased skill system. It sounds similar to the Blast Stocks from Budokai Tenkaichi 3, but its increased prominence should place effective limits on Sparking Zero’s more potent abilities.
Skill Count and Ki Systems Add Fresh Dynamics To Sparking Zero’s Action
Revenge Counter is an armored combo breaker, similar to the Drive Reversal in Street Fighter 6. Meanwhile, Super Perception allows players to auto-counter oncoming attacks, even super moves, though presumably not Ultimate Attacks. Not to be outdone, Ki can now be used for Vanishing Assaults, instant teleportation that places the user directly behind their opponent. Proper use of these abilities will quickly change the flow of battle, though their limited resources can disappear just as quickly. One look at these systems in action should tell onlookers all they need to know about the snappy experience that Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero is aiming for.
Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero
- Released
- October 11, 2024
WHERE TO PLAY
DRAGON BALL: Sparking! ZERO takes the legendary gameplay of the Budokai Tenkaichi series and raises it to whole new levels. Become a super warrior and experience the earth-shaking, limit-breaking power of DRAGON BALL battles!
Unleash the strength of over 180 fighters from DRAGON BALL Z, DRAGON BALL Super, DRAGON BALL GT, and selected DRAGON BALL movies, all in the base game! Each character comes with their own signature abilities, transformations, and techniques.
Make the destructive power of the strongest fighters ever to appear in DRAGON BALL yours!
Engage in heart-pounding, high-speed 3D battles that stay true to the anime and video game series, with breathtaking visuals and authentic combat moves like beam clashes, rush attacks, movements too quick for the eyes to see, and planet-razing ultimate attacks.
Challenge other players online to test your skills, or sit down with friends offline to hone your skills exclusively in the Hyperbolic Time Chamber! Fight your way to become a champion across various tournament modes and victory conditions.
Conquer the action-packed battles from the beloved original story, or discover and unlock new encounters for your favorite Z-Fighters and more. Relive your favorite moments from the series through cutscenes you can experience from the perspectives of eight characters!
Recreate your favorite battles from throughout the DRAGON BALL story, or set up your dream story battle with your favorite characters! Share your creations with other fans and experience the battles brought to life by imaginations around the world.
- Developer(s)
- Spike Chunsoft
- Publisher(s)
- Namco Bandai
- Franchise
- Dragon Ball
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
- Genre(s)
- Fighting, Action
