The Dragon Ball franchise has been a cornerstone of anime and fighting games for decades, offering everything from story-driven adventures to intense multiplayer showdowns. With Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero, Bandai Namco revives the beloved Budokai Tenkaichi series with next-gen enhancements, refined gameplay, and a broader selection of characters, aiming to satisfy both old fans and newcomers.
Sparking! Zero captures the essence of chaotic, large-scale combat while refining mechanics that longtime fans will recognize from previous entries.
Retelling the Classic Sagas with Modern Flair
Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero revisits the major arcs of the Dragon Ball Z series, from the Saiyan Saga to the Majin Buu Saga, with additional content from Dragon Ball Super. For longtime fans, the story mode offers a nostalgic trip through the iconic battles of Goku, Vegeta, and the rest of the Z Fighters. Each saga is broken up into key battles, interspersed with cutscenes that feel true to the anime’s dramatic flair.
One thing I appreciated was how Sparking! Zero expands on the events of the anime, adding new what-if scenarios that explore alternative outcomes. For instance, one battle explores what might have happened if Vegeta had never turned Super Saiyan during his fight with Frieza. These alternative takes add a refreshing spin on the familiar storylines, even if they don’t drastically alter the game’s narrative structure.
However, if you’ve played the earlier Budokai Tenkaichi games, the story here feels very familiar. It doesn’t reinvent the wheel, but the remastered visuals and new dialogue sequences add some flair that makes it worth revisiting. The voice acting, especially, remains top-notch, with both English and Japanese options available for players who prefer different audio experiences.
Fast, Fluid, and Full of Explosive Combos
The heart of Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero lies in its fast-paced, 3D arena combat. Just like in Budokai Tenkaichi 3, the game features large-scale battles where you can freely fly, dash, and teleport around the arena. Combat feels snappy and responsive, with each character having a unique move set that reflects their abilities from the show. Whether you’re blasting Kamehamehas from long range or engaging in close-quarters martial arts, the game captures the over-the-top energy of Dragon Ball combat.
Compared to its predecessors, Sparking! Zero introduces refined controls that make the action smoother. For example, the combo system feels more accessible, allowing you to string together basic attacks with special moves in a way that feels rewarding without being overly complicated. One personal highlight was pulling off Goku’s Super Spirit Bomb mid-battle, with the screen flashing as the move charged—those moments of high power are a thrill every time.
That said, the game does inherit some issues from earlier titles. The camera can be a bit wonky, especially during fast-paced aerial combat. While improved over past entries, the camera still struggles to keep up with the action, which can result in some frustrating moments. In tighter arenas, like the World Martial Arts Tournament stage, the camera sometimes shifts awkwardly, making it hard to keep track of your opponent.
Battle Friends or Foes Online
Multiplayer is where Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero shines. The online matchmaking is smooth, offering ranked and unranked modes for casual or competitive play. The roster is huge, featuring characters from across the Dragon Ball universe, so no matter who your favourite fighter is, you’ll find them here. Personally, I had a blast testing my skills in online matches—there’s a thrill to going up against a skilled opponent who knows the ins and outs of each fighter’s moveset.
A standout feature of multiplayer is the new “Team Battle” mode, where you can form teams of up to five fighters and face off in large-scale battles. It’s reminiscent of the team mechanics in games like Dragon Ball FighterZ, but with more freedom in movement and attack strategy due to the 3D arenas. This mode adds a layer of strategy, as you can swap out fighters mid-battle and rely on synergy between your chosen characters.
One downside, though, is that certain characters feel overpowered, leading to balance issues in competitive play. Characters like Ultra Instinct Goku dominate due to their speed and damage output, making it difficult for those using lower-tier fighters to hold their own. Hopefully, future updates will address this balance to keep multiplayer competitive and fair.
Stunning Visuals with Next-Gen Power
Sparking! Zero takes full advantage of next-gen hardware and looks gorgeous. The game runs at a smooth 60 frames per second, and the character models are incredibly detailed. You can see the sweat dripping down Goku’s face after a hard-fought battle, and the environments are filled with destructible elements, making each arena feel dynamic. Explosions, energy blasts, and beam clashes light up the screen in stunning fashion, with particle effects that are pretty damn impressive.
The game’s use of cel-shaded graphics stays true to the anime’s art style, but with sharper edges and more vibrant colours. In particular, the transformation sequences look phenomenal. Watching Vegeta turn Super Saiyan, with his hair glowing and electricity crackling around him, never gets old.
However, the game does occasionally struggle with texture pop-ins during cutscenes. While this doesn’t break immersion, it’s a small annoyance that detracts from the otherwise polished presentation.
Dragon Ball: Sparking! is a Solid Evolution of the Sparking! Formula
Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero successfully modernizes the chaotic, high-energy battles that fans love while offering just enough new content to keep things fresh. The story mode revisits the classic Dragon Ball Z arcs, adding some new twists with what-if scenarios, while the multiplayer experience is a standout feature that gives the game longevity. Despite some camera and balance issues, the gameplay is fast, fluid, and a joy to dive into, especially for fans of the franchise.
Whether you’re a returning player from the Budokai Tenkaichi days or a newcomer to the series, Sparking! Zero delivers a well-rounded, action-packed experience that captures the spirit of Dragon Ball in a way that few games manage.
Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero
Summary
Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero revitalizes the iconic series with fast-paced combat, a rich character selection, and engaging multiplayer modes. Featuring polished visuals and balanced mechanics, it builds on its predecessors with seamless controls and cinematic finishers. The story mode is filled with nostalgic moments, while multiplayer enhances the competitive spirit. Though the gameplay is solid, minor pacing issues and a learning curve can be a challenge for new players.
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