Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero Review – A Flawless Tribute to a Legendary Franchise

Dragon Ball enthusiasts received a huge surprise in March 2023 with the announcement of a new entry in the Budokai Tenkaichi series. After almost two decades of waiting, the series is finally back with the title Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero. This announcement set off a wave of excitement, especially among long-time fans who have fond memories of the franchise.

Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero, developed by Spike Chunsoft, is set to release on Friday, October 11, and it’s already generating a lot of buzz. With its perfect mix of classic elements and exciting new features, this game stands out as one of the best anime arena fighters. While a few minor issues with performance and presentation are noticeable, they don’t take away much from the overall enjoyment. Fans of Dragon Ball will likely find themselves hooked from the very first battle.

Elevating Budokai Tenkaichi’s Gameplay to New Heights

The gameplay in Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero feels like a refined version of what made the Budokai Tenkaichi series so beloved. The combat mechanics have been dialed up, creating fast-paced and action-packed battles where characters dash around at breakneck speeds, leaving destruction in their wake. Adding to the immersion, characters now get visibly dirtier and take damage faster than before, adding a layer of realism. The game's visual design, influenced by Naohiro Shintani’s animation style from Dragon Ball Super: Broly, transitions seamlessly into the 3D world.

While the combat retains the core elements of the Budokai Tenkaichi games, Sparking! Zero introduces some significant improvements and new features. The Blast Stock gauge has been renamed to "Skill Count" and now recharges much more quickly, allowing for frequent use of abilities and transformations. Additionally, the inclusion of defensive techniques like the Revenge Counter and Perception move adds a deeper level of strategy to the gameplay, making every battle more engaging.

For newcomers, the combat might take some time to master. Although basic moves are easy to pick up, advanced techniques are essential for success, even against the AI. Fortunately, mastering these moves is simply a matter of practice and timing, making the game accessible for both casual players and serious competitors.

AI Behavior and Gameplay Challenges

One of the minor setbacks in Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero lies in its AI behavior. While generally consistent, the AI occasionally acts unpredictably—transforming unnecessarily, wandering out of bounds in tournament mode, or standing idle during attacks. Although these issues don’t happen often and could be fixed in future updates, they can still detract from the single-player experience.

A Massive Roster That Honors the Series’ Legacy

Known for its extensive character selection, the Budokai Tenkaichi series has always delivered in this aspect, and Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero takes it to the next level. Boasting a staggering 182 characters from both canon stories and non-canon films, the game provides one of the most comprehensive rosters to date. While most characters are available right from the start, others can be unlocked by completing different game modes or purchasing them with in-game currency, which is easy to earn.

The attention to detail in character abilities is impressive, with each move echoing iconic moments from the series, creating plenty of nostalgic callbacks for fans. Whether it’s a character's signature attack or a unique interaction with a rival, these Easter eggs enrich the experience and make every battle more enjoyable.

Notable Absences in the Character Lineup

Despite the extensive lineup, some fan-favorite characters and transformations are noticeably absent. Characters like Super 17, Pikkon, and King Piccolo didn’t make it into the base roster, and some powerful transformations, such as Goku’s Super Saiyan Blue Kaioken and Vegeta’s Super Saiyan Blue Evolution, are only available as temporary power-ups instead of full transformations. Although future DLCs promise to expand the roster, these exclusions might disappoint die-hard fans.

Story Mode That Balances Tradition with Innovation

Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero includes a story mode that covers the entire canon through the perspective of eight different characters. While engaging, this mode has some limitations, primarily in its presentation. Most of the narrative is conveyed through static images and text without voice narration, which can feel underwhelming compared to animated cutscenes. However, when the game does feature full cinematic sequences, they are visually stunning, showcasing the game’s impressive graphics and art style.

The highlight of the story mode is the "what if" scenarios that allow players to explore alternate storylines. These creative twists on familiar events are some of the most enjoyable parts of the game, giving characters new development paths and presenting exciting "what if" possibilities. Finding these branching storylines adds significant replay value, keeping players engaged long after they’ve completed the main storyline.

Unlock Your Imagination with Custom Battles

One of the most anticipated features in Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero is the custom battle mode. Although the mode’s dialogue can occasionally feel awkward or mismatched to the scenarios, the sheer amount of creativity it allows more than makes up for it. With countless possibilities for creating battles and dialogue, players can let their imaginations run wild, crafting unique encounters that bring out the best of the game’s combat system. Custom battle mode is undoubtedly where the game’s replayability truly shines.

Final Thoughts on Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero

While Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero is not without its flaws in presentation and minor gameplay quirks, it remains a standout entry in the Budokai Tenkaichi franchise. The game’s blend of refined mechanics, rich character roster, and stunning visuals make it a must-play for both veteran players and newcomers. It’s clear that Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero will be remembered as one of the finest adaptations of the Dragon Ball universe, delivering a nostalgic yet fresh experience that fans will enjoy for years to come.