Enter the explosive world of Dragon Ball: Sparking ZERO—the latest release from Spike Chunsoft and Bandai Namco Entertainment, launched on October 10, 2024. Available on Steam, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S, this game boasts an expansive roster of 182 characters, delivering an immersive experience filled with iconic battles and fan-favourite transformations from Dragon Ball, Z, GT, Super, and Daima. With stunning visuals, deep combat mechanics, and multiple game modes, Dragon Ball: Sparking ZERO aims to be the definitive Dragon Ball game. Read on to see why it’s a must-play for Dragon Ball fans and newcomers alike!

Honouring Tenkaichi Roots: Sparking ZERO’s Combat and Character Depth

As someone who grew up with the Dragon Ball Tenkaichi series, which first launched on the PlayStation 2 back in 2005, it’s exciting to see how Dragon Ball: Sparking ZERO both honours those roots and takes the experience to new heights. This evolution is visible not only in the combat but also in the game’s stunning visuals, which we’ll touch on shortly.

At launch, Sparking ZERO boasts an impressive roster of 182 characters from across Dragon Ball, Z, GT, Super, and even Daima. While fans will recognise various forms of Goku and other iconic characters, each form has unique stats, and only certain forms can reach specific transformations, adding a strategic edge to choosing the right character for each encounter.

Though all characters start with basic light and heavy attacks along with standard Ki blasts, the depth of the combat really begins to shine after mastering the tutorial and spending some time training. This is when the game truly opens up, allowing players to experience the unique dynamics each character brings to the table, adding a thrilling layer for fans and newcomers alike.

Most of my time was spent in the game’s Episode Battles mode, which retells the classic anime/manga story with some engaging “what if” scenarios added in. Along the way, I hopped into Offline Battle mode to try out different characters—naturally, I had to give Trunks a go.

Bonus Battles and Custom Battles

These two modes have been an exciting addition as I dive deeper into the game:

Bonus Battles offer extra fights that expand on the main story, adding minor battles from the anime with specific effects or handicaps to challenge players.

Custom Battles, on the other hand, are fights created by the player base, allowing for custom victory conditions, character setups, and unique scenarios. These battles promise to keep things fresh, and I’m eager to see what the community creates as they get more familiar with the game.

Both of these modes are also a fantastic way to farm Zenni, the in-game currency. Zenni is essential for unlocking new characters, outfits, and other customization options, giving you ample incentive to explore and engage with different battles as you work towards building your dream roster.

Dragon Ball: Sparking ZERO’s Visuals Deliver 37 Years of Toriyama Magic

The visuals of Dragon Ball: Sparking ZERO capture the core of the original series, showcasing 37 years of Akira Toriyama’s iconic work in one cohesive, vibrant package. In many respects, it even surpasses previous adaptations, presenting a visually rich homage that appeals to long-time fans and new players alike.

Over the years, various development teams have brought Dragon Ball to the gaming world, each leaving their mark. Yet even compared to recent franchise titles, Sparking ZERO stands out, distinguished by its exceptional detail and genuine authenticity. Every character, from the beloved main cast to the most obscure figures, is meticulously rendered and animated with equal care and polish. Their unique quirks and mannerisms are brought to life, allowing fans to see each character fully realised—even characters like Yajirobe feel fresh and unexpectedly captivating!

While the in-game visuals are outstanding, the cutscenes unfortunately fall short of this high standard. Despite the quality of animation, they feel slightly underwhelming, as if missing that final touch. This is especially apparent in scenes where the story transitions between pre-rendered and in-engine visuals. On PC, these pre-rendered segments are noticeably lower in resolution than the rest of the game, creating a disconnect. But as soon as the in-engine visuals return, the quality bursts back to life, vividly highlighting the stark difference. It’s like receiving a beautifully wrapped gift but missing that final bow—a minor flaw in an otherwise impressive visual experience.

A Journey Worth the ‘Kamehameha’

The abridged retelling provided by Dragon Ball: Sparking ZERO’s storyline largely enhances the experience, capturing the essence of Dragon Ball’s iconic moments and delivering a condensed, nostalgia-filled journey that’s especially rewarding for fans. Yet, with the story condensed, newcomers may find it challenging to connect with some nuances. The game subtly encourages those unfamiliar with Dragon Ball to dive deeper, perhaps nudging them to watch the anime or subscribe to Crunchyroll to fill in any gaps. And yes, even Dragon Ball GT finds its way onto the “must-watch” list after spending time with this game.

At first glance, the combat might seem like a classic button-mashing experience, but a surprising layer of skill emerges as you progress. Mastering these moves becomes increasingly rewarding, especially as you navigate through the storylines. While being as spoiler-free as possible, the inclusion of “What if” scenarios introduces exciting, sometimes bewildering choices that add depth to the story. One particularly memorable moment involved battling Frieza, where winning led to an unexpected “happy ending”—an alternate scenario that deviates from the original story. It turned out the real objective was to survive long enough for Goku to charge up his Spirit Bomb, replicating the anime’s iconic moment. However, the lack of a clear in-game prompt led to some confusion, especially for those less familiar with the anime’s storyline.

The multiplayer experience is a bit of a mixed bag. On the one hand, online ranked mode feels like it doesn’t fully align with the spirit of Dragon Ball, as players often jump in at peak power levels, dash away to activate Sparking mode, and unleash devastating attacks—often without fully engaging in the character progression fans cherish. While this gameplay style is a challenge to master, it does pull away from the gradual transformations and iconic power-ups that define the Dragon Ball experience.

The multiplayer truly shines when shared with friends, whether you’re bantering on Discord or battling in person on split-screen. It’s a nostalgic callback to classic couch gaming, and nothing beats the joy of strategising—or just trash-talking—alongside familiar faces.

Dragon Ball: Sparking ZERO strikes a fine balance between accessibility and depth, offering ample content for dedicated fans while rewarding newcomers who take the time to delve into its systems and narrative choices. It’s a rich experience for anyone ready to dive into the Dragon Ball universe and a must have for long time fans.