Dragon Ball: Sparking! ZERO
Release Date: October 11, 2024
Fighting, TPP, animated TV series, manga and anime, for 2 players, Dragon Ball, splitscreen, multiplayer, singleplayer, internet
Dragon Ball: Sparking! ZERO is a new installment in a series of 3D fighting games featuring Dragon Ball characters. The Namco Bandai game follows in its predecessors' footsteps, letting players duel while controlling characters known from the manga and anime.
October 9, 2024
Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero Review: Zenkai Power
Dragon Ball has been around for years as have games that have tried to recreate the excitement the series is known for. Sparking Zero is the latest arena fighter that gets it right.
October 1, 2024
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Autumn is outside the window, and in our hearts we have Diablo 4 DLC, Silent Hill 2 Remake, next Call of Duty, and Dragon Age. There will also be Life is Strange and Dragon Ball, with no worries - there is also room for something new!
Videos and Screens
[0:29] Dragon Ball: Sparking! ZERO - Split Screen Update Announcement
[0:20] Dragon Ball: Sparking! ZERO Season Pass DLC 2 Teaser Trailer
Gamepressure Review
Dragon Ball: Sparking! ZERO
Dragon Ball has been around for years as have games that have tried to recreate the excitement the series is known for. Sparking Zero is the latest arena fighter that gets it right.
OpenCritic Rating
Game is Recomended by 89% of Critics. There are 106 Critic Reviews.
Wccftech: 9 / 10 by Francesco De Meo
Dragon Ball: Sparking! ZERO is undeniably one of the best games based on Akira Toriyama's series. With an engaging story mode that includes intriguing what-if scenarios, a combat system that's easy to learn but challenging to master, a massive character roster, and impressive attention to detail, Spike Chunsoft has created a must-have for Dragon Ball fans. If you've ever wanted to be Goku and scream your heart out before unleashing secret techniques, this is the game for you.
WellPlayed: 8 / 10 by Mark Isaacson
As Dragon Ball games go, Sparking! Zero stands as one of the better translations of what it feels like to be a super powered hero, Goku or otherwise. It's not for everyone, but with a great set of modes and roster of characters, fans should find plenty to enjoy.
TechRaptor: 8.5 / 10 by Robert Scarpinito
Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero is the ultimate Dragon Ball sandbox, giving you all the tools needed to satisfy your wild imagination. Filled with iconic fights, flashy animations, and delightful easter eggs, it's arguably the final form of Dragon Ball arena fighters.
The main pros of the game
- Graphics and Presentation: Many users praised the game's beautiful graphics and animations, noting that it looks great and feels polished.
- Gameplay Mechanics: The combat system is generally considered very good, with a fun and engaging fighting style that offers depth and variety.
- Character Roster: The game features a large roster of characters, which is appreciated by fans of the franchise.
- Story Mode: Some players enjoyed the "what-if" scenarios and the ability to alter timelines, adding a unique twist to the familiar Dragon Ball story arcs.
The main cons of the game
- Online Connectivity Issues: A significant number of users reported persistent communication errors that make online play unplayable. This has led to frustration and dissatisfaction, especially with ranked matches.
- Lack of Content: Players expressed disappointment with the limited single-player content and the short story mode. Once the story is completed, there isn't much to do other than online battles.
- Imbalance and Cheese Tactics: Many reviews highlighted issues with character balance in online play, where certain characters dominate due to overpowered moves, leading to repetitive and frustrating matches.
- Customization Limitations: Users noted that character customization options are lacking, with many characters having minimal or no alternate outfits.
The features or elements that are missing from the game according to users
- Crossplay: Several users mentioned the absence of crossplay, which limits the player base and makes it harder to find matches.
- More Outfits and Stages: Players expressed a desire for additional costumes and more stages to enhance the variety and customization in battles.
- Improved Online Features: Suggestions for better matchmaking systems, penalties for rage quitting, and a more robust ranked mode were common, as the current system is seen as flawed.
- Expanded Single-Player Content: Many reviews called for more single-player modes or activities to keep players engaged after completing the story.
Summary
- Overall, while DRAGON BALL: Sparking! ZERO has its strengths in graphics and gameplay, the significant online issues and lack of content have led to a mixed reception from users.
Summary generated on:
GAMERS Score
Average score from 56 votes. 64 players anticipated the game.
Dragon Ball: Sparking! ZERO Description
Dragon Ball: Sparking! ZERO is a 3D fighting game. It is part of the Dragon Ball: Budokachi Tenkaichi series. The game uses a license of the extremely popular manga and anime by Akira Toriyama. It is another fighting game from the Dragon Ball series created by Spike Chunsoft studio, which, apart from the aforementioned series (long known in Japan under the name Dragon Ball Z: Sparking!), also developed Raging Blast and Jump Force.
Gameplay
As is tradition, Dragon Ball: Sparking! ZERO is an arena brawler, in which the action is observed not from the side, but from behind the warrior's back (TPP view). The fights take place in full three dimensions on huge arenas, which give a great opportunity to show off for the superhumanly powerful martial artists. Beam collisions, dash attacks, and eye-catching moves – these and other techniques straight from the manga and anime (and previous installments in the Budokai Tenkaichi series) are utilized to their full potential during duels.
Characters
We can choose from Dragon Ball heroes known from the manga, as well as episodes of animated series and films. Goku, Yamcha, Vegeta, Frieza, Piccolo, Krillin, Broly, Majin Buu, and Jiren are just some of the characters available as playable warriors. Each fighter stands out with a unique set of attacks (including special ones) and enhancing transformations. ZERO has the largest collection of warriors in the history of the entire series – the cast includes even lesser-known characters like Bergamo.
Game modes, cross-play
Dragon Ball: Sparking! ZERO includes network competition mode and the ability to play alone with bots. Unfortunately, cross-play functionality is not provided in multiplayer mode.
Engine, graphics
Dragon Ball: Sparking! ZERO is based on Unreal Engine 5 technology. The whole thing follows the trend long established by the DB adaptations. Graphics are three-dimensional , maintained in a style referring to comics and animated series, primarily the latest film adaptations supervised by Naohiro Shintani, animation director at Toei.
At the same time, the creators took the destruction system of the environment to a new level. Arenas are constantly changing in response to players' actions, especially powerful special attacks.
Dragon Ball: Sparking! ZERO Summary
Early Access:October 8, 2024
Game Series: Dragon Ball
Platforms:
PC / Windows
PlayStation 5
Xbox Series X/S
Developer: Spike Chunsoft
Publisher: Bandai Namco Entertainment
Age restrictions: 12+
Dragon Ball: Sparking! ZERO System Requirements
PC / Windows
Minimum: Intel Core i5-9600K / AMD Ryzen 5 2600, 8 GB RAM, graphic card 4 GB GeForce GTX 980 / 8 GB Radeon RX 590, 29 GB HDD, Windows 10 64-bit
Recommended: Intel Core i7-9700K / AMD Ryzen 5 3600, 16 GB RAM, graphic card 6 GB GeForce RTX 2060 / 8 GB Radeon RX Vega 64, 29 GB HDD, Windows 10/11 64-bit
Dragon Ball Sparking! ZERO Takes Europe and USA by Storm. Bandai Namco Praises Game's Amazing Sales
Dragon Ball Sparking! ZERO sold very well, especially in Europe and America, and gave Bandai Namco a successful first half of its fiscal year.
video games
Jacob Blazewicz
November 8, 2024
Complete Parental Bond Chapter from Vegeta’s Saga in Sparking Zero
Looking for a way to unlock Parental Bond trophy in Sparking Zero? Here’s everything you need to know about Vegeta’s Saga and its alternate branching path.
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October 22, 2024
Afterimage Strike in Sparking Zero, Learn How to Deal with This Effect
Discover how to handle opponents in Afterimage mode with our Sparking Zero guide. Here’s everything you need to know about what to do when your attacks can't land.
How to
Olga Fiszer
October 21, 2024
Alternate Ending for Android 17 of Piccolo’s Saga in Sparking Zero
Wondering how to unlock the alternate ending in the Android 17 stage of Piccolo’s Saga? This Sparking Zero Episode battle may seem bugged, but we know how to beat it.
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October 21, 2024
Is Sparking Zero Cross Platform? Multiplayer Explained
If you would like to learn whether cross platform feature is implemented in Dragon Ball Sparking Zero, here you will find your answer.
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Aleksander Kartasinski
October 21, 2024
Frieza Revived in Sparking Zero, Unlocking the Alternate Path is Tricky
Frieza’s Saga is by far the most interesting one in Sparking Zero. In the Frieza Revived stage, you can unlock the Sparking Episode, but it won’t be easy. Here are some tips to help you out.
How to
Olga Fiszer
October 18, 2024
Sparking Zero To Become The Strongest in the Universe Alternate Path
To Become the Strongest in the Universe is on of the stages in Future Trunks’s Saga. This Sparking Zero guide will help you unlock alternate objective in the fight against Vegeta, Piccolo, and Gohan.
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Olga Fiszer
October 18, 2024
Unlock Vegeta's Wicked Heart Path and Resist Babidi in Sparking Zero
To Unlock alternate path in Vegeta's Wicked Heart you have to resist Babidi’s brainwashing. How to do that? Read our guide.
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Damian Gacek
October 16, 2024
How to Unlock All Bonus Battles in Sparking Zero, Get New Characters and other Rewards
Would you like to unlock all characters and Bonus Battles in Dragon Ball Sparking Zero? Read our guide, to do that.
How to
Damian Gacek
October 16, 2024
Vegeta and Trunks Stage in Sparking Zero, Super Trunks Timer Is Strict
Unlock the alternate path in the Vegeta and Trunks stage with our Sparking Zero guide. In this Episode Battle, you’ll need to defeat Super Trunks within a tight time limit.
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Olga Fiszer
October 16, 2024