Transformations have always played an important role in Dragon Ball video games, and this is once again the case in Dragon Ball: Sparking! ZERO. Granted, players can just choose to play as fully transformed or fused-together fighters, but by powering characters up during battles, they'll become a lot stronger than their pre-powered-up counterparts.
The Strongest Dragon Ball Transformations, Ranked
Several characters transform in the Dragon Ball series but these ones stand out among the rest.
Thankfully, learning how to transform in Dragon Ball: Sparking! ZERO is relatively straightforward, as too is fusing and swapping out characters. That said, there are one or two quirks that players will need to be aware of, particularly as the game doesn't really explain its transformation system during the tutorial fight against Vegeta.
How to Transform in Dragon Ball: Sparking! ZERO
Assuming they're using a character who can do so, players will be able to transform by holding up on the D-Pad and then pressing the face button that corresponds with the transformation that they want. However, every transformation in Sparking! ZERO requires a certain number of Skill points, as indicated by the number next to the transformation. The Skill Count Bar at the top of the screen goes up gradually over time and also when players deal or inflict damage. Transforming will also prevent players from swapping out characters for the next thirty seconds.
Players will be able to see what transformations a fighter has available by looking at the Transformation Information section of the character select screen.
When controlling Saiyans, players will be able to revert to their base form after transforming, which, in some cases, they'll need to do if they want to fuse. The Super versions of Goku and Vegeta can't fuse when they're powered up, although Kid Trunks and Goten can. Saiyans are also unable to drop down from one level of Super Saiyan to the one below it, meaning that players will need to return to their base form to switch from Super Saiyan 2 to regular Super Saiyan. Characters like Frieza will need to go through each stage of their transformations separately in order to fully power up and won't be able to power back down, whereas Saiyans will be able to jump straight to their strongest form. Cycling up through each form provides no real benefit, as the total Skill point cost will always be the same.
Players will be able to easily tell when they have transformations available, as a blue circle with an upward pointing arrow in it will appear next to the Skill Count Bar at the top of the screen. The number next to this circle indicates how many potential transformations they currently have at their disposal.
How to Fuse in Dragon Ball: Sparking! ZERO
Fusion also takes place through the Transformations menu, meaning players will need to hold up on the D-Pad and then use the shoulder buttons to switch to the fusions panel. Fusing generally requires more Skill points than transforming does and is also permanent, so players should keep this in mind before doing so. It's a big gamble, although the additional power and the slight boost that fused Dragon Ball fighters get to their health bar arguably make up for this.
How to Change Characters in Dragon Ball: Sparking! ZERO
In order to change characters in Dragon Ball: Sparking! ZERO, players will need to hold Left on the D-Pad and then press the face button that corresponds with the fighter they want to change to. Players will know when they're able to swap someone out when the black and yellow icon near the Skill Count Bar starts flashing. When changing characters is unavailable, this icon will show how much longer is left of the 30-second cooldown, which is triggered each time players transform, fuse, or swap out one of their fighters.
How to Chase Change in Dragon Ball: Sparking! ZERO
Dragon Ball: Sparking! ZERO introduces the chase change mechanic, which allows players to have their incoming player perform an attack. To pull this off, they'll need to smash the opposition fighter so that they're flying through the air and then quickly change to another character. If done correctly, the fighter that they switch to will hit the other player immediately after joining the fray. Sadly, it's a poorly implemented mechanic that can be tricky to pull off and offers very little reward, particularly when compared to the excellent changing mechanics in Dragon Ball FighterZ.
Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero
- Released
- October 11, 2024
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Spike Chunsoft
- Publisher(s)
- Namco Bandai
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
- Genre(s)
- Fighting, Action
