A Budokai Tenkaichi installment 17 years in the making
By Paul Hunter
The Dragon Ball franchise has been a cornerstone of anime and fighting games for decades, offering epic adventures and intense battles. With Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero, Bandai Namco brings the beloved Budokai Tenkaichi series back with next-gen enhancements, refined gameplay, and the widest roster of characters yet, aiming to satisfy both longtime fans and newcomers.
Sparking! Zero captures the chaotic, over-the-top combat of the Dragon Ball universe while refining the mechanics that fans have come to love. The story mode offers a nostalgic trip through the major arcs of Dragon Ball Z, with additional content from Dragon Ball Super. The voice acting remains top-notch with most of the original voice actors reprising their roles, and both English and Japanese options are available.
The lengthy story mode includes dozens of iconic battles, complete with dramatic cutscenes that feel straight out of the anime, only this time there are what-if branching story elements with outcomes that may be different than you remember. For example, one scenario explores what would happen if Goku and Piccolo joined forces to battle Raditz, but if you decide to go alone Goku is backed up by Krillin instead. These alternative takes add a fresh spin on familiar storylines, even if they don't drastically change the trajectory of the overall narrative.
True to its Budokai Tenkaichi predecessors, the heart of Sparking! Zero lies in its fast-paced, 3D arena combat. The game features massive battles where you can fly, dash, and teleport freely to replicate the fast-action seen in the anime. Combat feels snappy and responsive, with each of the 180-plus characters boasting a unique move set that reflects their abilities from the show. Whether you're blasting Kamehamehas from afar or engaging in close-quarters martial arts, the game captures the exhilarating energy of Dragon Ball battles.
Compared to its predecessors, Sparking! Zero introduces refined controls that make the action smoother. The combo system is more accessible, allowing you to chain together basic attacks with special moves in a way that feels rewarding without being overly complex. It was awesome unleashing Goku's Sonic Blast mid-battle, with the screen flashing as the move charged. These moments of high-powered action are thrilling every time.
While the combat overall is super crisp, the game does inherit some issues from earlier titles. For example, the camera can be a bit finicky, especially during fast-paced aerial combat. While improved over past entries, the camera still struggles to keep up with the action, leading to some frustrating moments. In smaller arenas, like the Hyperbolic Time Chamber stage, the camera can shift awkwardly, making it difficult to track your opponent.
Multiplayer is where Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero truly shines. The online matchmaking netcode is smooth, offering both ranked and unranked modes for casual or competitive play. With a massive roster featuring characters from across the Dragon Ball universe, you're sure to find your favourite fighter. I had a blast testing my skills in online matches, the thrill of facing off against a skilled opponent who knows every nuance of their character's moveset is unmatched.
A standout feature is the new Team Battle mode, where you can form teams of up to five fighters and engage in epic, large-scale battles. It's reminiscent of team mechanics in games like Dragon Ball FighterZ, but with more freedom of movement and attack strategy thanks 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 team.
Sparking! Zero takes full advantage of next-gen hardware, delivering a stunning visual experience. The game runs smoothly at 60 frames per second, and the character models are incredibly detailed. You can see the sweat dripping down Goku's face after a battle, and the environments are filled with destructible elements, making each arena feel dynamic. Explosions, energy blasts, and beam clashes light up the screen with impressive particle effects.
The game's cel-shaded graphics stay true to the anime's art style while offering sharper edges and more vibrant colors. The transformation sequences are especially impressive. Watching Vegeta turn Super Saiyan, with his hair glowing and electricity crackling around him, never gets old. However, the game does occasionally suffer from texture pop-in during cutscenes. While this doesn't break immersion, it's a minor annoyance that detracts slightly from the polished presentation.
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 essence of what makes Dragon Ball so great.
Final Score: 8/10 - Great
Developer: Spike Chunsoft
Publisher: Bandai Namco
Genre: Fighting
Modes: Single-player, Multiplayer
ESRB Rating: T (Teen)
A key was provided by the publisher.
By Paul Hunter
The Dragon Ball franchise has been a cornerstone of anime and fighting games for decades, offering epic adventures and intense battles. With Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero, Bandai Namco brings the beloved Budokai Tenkaichi series back with next-gen enhancements, refined gameplay, and the widest roster of characters yet, aiming to satisfy both longtime fans and newcomers.
Sparking! Zero captures the chaotic, over-the-top combat of the Dragon Ball universe while refining the mechanics that fans have come to love. The story mode offers a nostalgic trip through the major arcs of Dragon Ball Z, with additional content from Dragon Ball Super. The voice acting remains top-notch with most of the original voice actors reprising their roles, and both English and Japanese options are available.
The lengthy story mode includes dozens of iconic battles, complete with dramatic cutscenes that feel straight out of the anime, only this time there are what-if branching story elements with outcomes that may be different than you remember. For example, one scenario explores what would happen if Goku and Piccolo joined forces to battle Raditz, but if you decide to go alone Goku is backed up by Krillin instead. These alternative takes add a fresh spin on familiar storylines, even if they don't drastically change the trajectory of the overall narrative.
True to its Budokai Tenkaichi predecessors, the heart of Sparking! Zero lies in its fast-paced, 3D arena combat. The game features massive battles where you can fly, dash, and teleport freely to replicate the fast-action seen in the anime. Combat feels snappy and responsive, with each of the 180-plus characters boasting a unique move set that reflects their abilities from the show. Whether you're blasting Kamehamehas from afar or engaging in close-quarters martial arts, the game captures the exhilarating energy of Dragon Ball battles.
Compared to its predecessors, Sparking! Zero introduces refined controls that make the action smoother. The combo system is more accessible, allowing you to chain together basic attacks with special moves in a way that feels rewarding without being overly complex. It was awesome unleashing Goku's Sonic Blast mid-battle, with the screen flashing as the move charged. These moments of high-powered action are thrilling every time.
While the combat overall is super crisp, the game does inherit some issues from earlier titles. For example, the camera can be a bit finicky, especially during fast-paced aerial combat. While improved over past entries, the camera still struggles to keep up with the action, leading to some frustrating moments. In smaller arenas, like the Hyperbolic Time Chamber stage, the camera can shift awkwardly, making it difficult to track your opponent.
Multiplayer is where Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero truly shines. The online matchmaking netcode is smooth, offering both ranked and unranked modes for casual or competitive play. With a massive roster featuring characters from across the Dragon Ball universe, you're sure to find your favourite fighter. I had a blast testing my skills in online matches, the thrill of facing off against a skilled opponent who knows every nuance of their character's moveset is unmatched.
A standout feature is the new Team Battle mode, where you can form teams of up to five fighters and engage in epic, large-scale battles. It's reminiscent of team mechanics in games like Dragon Ball FighterZ, but with more freedom of movement and attack strategy thanks 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 team.
Sparking! Zero takes full advantage of next-gen hardware, delivering a stunning visual experience. The game runs smoothly at 60 frames per second, and the character models are incredibly detailed. You can see the sweat dripping down Goku's face after a battle, and the environments are filled with destructible elements, making each arena feel dynamic. Explosions, energy blasts, and beam clashes light up the screen with impressive particle effects.
The game's cel-shaded graphics stay true to the anime's art style while offering sharper edges and more vibrant colors. The transformation sequences are especially impressive. Watching Vegeta turn Super Saiyan, with his hair glowing and electricity crackling around him, never gets old. However, the game does occasionally suffer from texture pop-in during cutscenes. While this doesn't break immersion, it's a minor annoyance that detracts slightly from the polished presentation.
The Verdict
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 classic Dragon Ball Z arcs, adding exciting twists with what-if scenarios. The multiplayer experience is a standout feature that gives the game incredible longevity. Despite some camera and balance issues, the gameplay is fast, fluid, and a blast 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 essence of what makes Dragon Ball so great.
Final Score: 8/10 - Great
Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero details
Platform: PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PCDeveloper: Spike Chunsoft
Publisher: Bandai Namco
Genre: Fighting
Modes: Single-player, Multiplayer
ESRB Rating: T (Teen)
A key was provided by the publisher.