Home Video Games Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero review

Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero review

October 16, 2024

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For decades, Dragon Ball has defined the anime and gaming worlds, and Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero keeps that momentum going. Bandai Namco revives the Budokai Tenkaichi series with better graphics, refined combat, and a massive roster of characters. Whether you’re a long-time fan or newcomer, Sparking! Zero offers a perfect mix of nostalgia and next-gen action.

From epic story moments to adrenaline-pumping fights, Sparking! Zero packs a punch that feels familiar but fresh, balancing classic and new elements for everyone.

Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero details

Platform(s): Playstation 5, Xbox Series X|S and PC
Developer(s): Spike Chunsoft
Publisher(s): Bandai Namco
Genre: Fighting
Modes: Single-player, Multiplayer
ESRB Rating: T (Teen)

Reviving the iconic sagas

Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero covers every major arc from Dragon Ball Z, including the Saiyan, Frieza, Cell, and Majin Buu sagas. It even throws in content from Dragon Ball Super, like the Universe 6 Tournament and the Goku Black arc. For me, playing through Goku’s iconic battles again felt like revisiting teenage memories with modern visuals. Each saga follows a sequence of key battles, with cutscenes offering those familiar Dragon Ball moments of intensity, humour, and pure spectacle.

What really stands out are the “what-if” scenarios sprinkled throughout. They’re not just quirky additions; they’re fun alternate takes on Dragon Ball history. One of my personal favourites was seeing how the Cell Games would have played out if Gohan turned Super Saiyan 3. It adds unpredictability to the story mode, even if it doesn’t drastically change the main narrative. The game plays it safe by sticking closely to the well-trodden Dragon Ball Z storylines, but the nostalgia and updated visuals make it interesting.

My only gripe is that the story mode doesn’t deviate much from the older games. If you played the original Budokai Tenkaichi series, you might feel a sense of déjà vu. It doesn’t break much new ground in terms of plot. The inclusion of Dragon Ball Super arcs helps freshen things up, but the real star here is the revamped presentation that elevates these moments, making them feel bigger than before.

Refined combat that packs a punch

Fights in Sparking! Zero capture the essence of Dragon Ball—fast, explosive, and chaotic. You get full freedom to fly around arenas, dash at blistering speeds, and teleport in an instant. The action is fast-paced and over-the-top, perfectly capturing the feel of an actual Dragon Ball fight. Characters hurl energy blasts, teleport behind each other for quick strikes, and engage in massive beam struggles that light up the screen.

Combat feels both familiar and refined. Compared to earlier Budokai Tenkaichi games, the controls are more responsive, and combos are easier to pull off. This makes it accessible for casual players while still offering depth for those who want to master each fighter. For example, stringing together a combo of basic punches, followed by Goku’s Instant Transmission Kamehameha, always felt satisfying. It’s not overly complicated, but the depth is there if you’re looking for it.

One of the game’s standout features is its gigantic roster. With characters spanning across Dragon Ball Z, Super, and even some movie characters, there’s someone for every fan. From classic fighters like Goku and Vegeta to lesser-known characters like Jiren and Hit, the roster feels like a love letter to Dragon Ball fans. However, the large roster does lead to some balancing issues, particularly with overpowered characters like Ultra Instinct Goku dominating online play.

The game’s only real drawback in combat is the camera. It’s improved over older games, but when you’re fighting in mid-air or in tight arenas, the camera can struggle to keep up, making it tough to track your opponent. This can get frustrating, especially in heated battles where positioning is key.

Stunning presentation with a few bumps

Graphically, Sparking! Zero is a feast for the eyes. The game’s cel-shaded art style stays true to the anime, but with a sharper, more polished look thanks to next-gen hardware. Character models are highly detailed, and the environments feel dynamic, especially during battles. The destructible arenas, where craters form from powerful blasts, add an extra layer of immersion to the fights. There’s something deeply satisfying about watching a landscape completely change after a massive Kamehameha clash.

What impressed me most were the transformation sequences. Watching Vegeta go Super Saiyan or Goku power up to Super Saiyan Blue looks incredible. The energy crackles around them, the colours pop, and the entire arena feels charged with intensity. These transformations are more than just a visual treat—they feel impactful every time you execute them in battle.

However, Sparking! Zero isn’t without flaws. Texture pop-ins during cutscenes happen occasionally, and while they don’t ruin the experience, they are noticeable and detract from the otherwise polished visuals. The frame rate remains steady during most of the action, but I did notice slight dips during some of the larger, more hectic battles. That said, these issues are minor in the grand scheme of things, and they don’t significantly take away from the overall presentation.

Multiplayer: The real battleground

The heart of Sparking! Zero lies in its multiplayer. Whether you’re fighting friends in local battles or testing your skills online, the multiplayer is packed with variety. Ranked and unranked modes cater to both competitive and casual players, and the smooth matchmaking means you’re never waiting long to get into a match. For me, the real fun came from forming unique teams and trying out different strategies against opponents online.

The new Team Battle mode adds a strategic layer to the multiplayer experience. Instead of just focusing on one-on-one battles, this mode lets you build a team of up to five fighters and switch between them mid-battle. This adds a whole new dimension to the gameplay, as certain characters complement each other better than others. For example, swapping between Piccolo and Goku allowed me to create some interesting synergies that kept my opponent guessing.

Despite the fun multiplayer modes, there are some balance issues that need addressing. Characters like Ultra Instinct Goku and Beerus feel a bit too powerful, often dominating online play. Hopefully, future patches will balance out these differences, making sure that multiplayer remains competitive and fun for all players.

Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero offers a satisfying experience and is a must-have for any Dragon Ball fan

Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero modernizes the chaotic, over-the-top combat that fans of the series love, while staying true to its roots. The revamped visuals, smoother combat, and online modes make it a great pick for long-time fans and newcomers alike. The what-if scenarios, though minor, keep the story mode interesting, even if it’s more familiar territory.

Despite minor camera issues and some unbalanced characters in multiplayer, the game’s sheer spectacle and addictive gameplay make it a must-have for any Dragon Ball fan. You’ll relive iconic moments, forge new ones, and most importantly, feel like you’re in control of the action-packed world of Dragon Ball.

Pros	Cons
Large roster of characters.	Some characters are overpowered in multiplayer.
Fast-paced, responsive combat with flashy moves.	Occasional camera issues during fast-paced battles.
Fun alternate “what-if” scenarios in story mode.	Minor texture pop-ins during cutscenes.
Stunning cel-shaded visuals true to the anime.