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Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero

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"Break The Heavens"
— Dragon Ball Sparking! Zero tagline


Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero, stylized as DRAGON BALL: Sparking! ZERO,[3] is a new entry in the Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi series. The game was first announced in March 2023 following the end of the Dragon Ball FighterZ World Tour finals. It was released for the PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC via Steam on October 10, 2024, in Japan and October 11, 2024, in the United States. Versions for Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2 were released on November 14, 2025.

Gameplay

Engage in heart-pounding, high-speed 3D battles that stay true to the anime and video game series, with breathtaking visuals and authentic combat moves like beam clashes, rush attacks, movements too quick for the eyes to see, and planet-razing ultimate attacks.

Step into an arena that reacts to your every action. As you transform or unleash your most devastating attacks, watch the environment respond with stunning realism. Leave a trail of destruction in your wake as you battle to your heart's content.

Sparking! Zero features 182 characters, surpassing Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 3.[4]

The game proposes two different types of controls:[5]

  • Standard: the recommended controls for the game.
  • Classic: enables you to enjoy similar controls to those of the previous Budokai Tenkaichi games!

New Features

The game keeps the core mechanics of the series, but new ones are added to better express the high-speed and authentic battles:[6][5]

  • Skill Count - A number that rises as you execute moves during the battle and is then spent to trigger special abilities.
  • Short Dash - A technique that lets you move at lightning speed. This change opens up more possibilities such as dodging an opponent's attack with a short dash, unleashing a charged attack or even a Ki Blast while moving, or linking to a dragon dash to pull off a huge move in one go.
  • Revenge Counter - A technique that lets you strike back while absorbing an opponent's attack. It is an action that enables high-speed attack and defense as seen in the original story where characters can launch an attack even while being hit.
  • Super Perception - A counter command that lets you counterattack in anticipation of various attacks, even Ki Wave types of blast.
  • Vanishing Assaults - A technique that lets you approach an opponent instantly and pounce.
  • Customization - Customize every character in the game to make them fit with your taste and playstyle.

Game Modes

Episode Battle

In this single-player mode, players can control eight different characters. In each stage, there will be an introduction before going straight into battle. These battles come straight from Dragon Ball Z and Dragon Ball Super. The amount of cutscenes varies between characters, and some cutscenes are in first-person to provide a more immersive experience. Choices can be made in certain stages that differ from the original story, allowing players to change the outcome of the story.

Characters playable in Episode Battle:[4]

Additional playable characters available temporarily in certain levels:

Custom Battle

In this mode, players fight in battles with original scenes. Custom Battle also contains Bonus Battles, a mode with numerous original battle situations. In Bonus Battles, there are some battles that have different victory conditions, and some that have event cutscenes trigger during the middle of battle.

Edit Mode allows players to freely select characters to be played as, along with camera cuts, poses, facial expressions, effects, dialogue, BGM, and even title screens. Character values, such as health and strength, can be adjusted. These battles can be uploaded for other players to experience. Bonus Battles can also be edited as a base. Players must first play through and successfully win their own Custom Battles in order to upload them.

Battle Mode

Challenge players online across various tournament modes and victory conditions to become a champion.

Local split-screen multiplayer is available to play with friends, exclusively in the Hyperbolic Time Chamber. After a patch update, it is now available for all stages.

Ranked Match

With Ranked Matches, you can set your matchmaking conditions to find your ideal opponents with balanced character cost restrictions and check the leaderboards for rankings.

Tournament Mode

In this mode, you can create or join a tournament online with rivals around the world or play offline. Offline tournaments will generate opponents for you.

Encyclopedia

The Character Reference from Budokai Tenkaichi 3 makes a return, but instead of Chi-Chi being the only one commenting on the characters, she is joined by Bulma and Videl.

Playable Characters

Returning characters

Name Returning transformations New transformations Available at Start
Android 13
  • Base
  • Fusion Android 13
 No
Android 16 Yes
Android 17 (Z) Yes
Android 18 Yes
Android 19 Yes
Babidi Yes
Baby Vegeta (GT) No
Bardock No
Bojack No
Broly (Z) Yes
Burter Yes
Captain Ginyu Yes
Cell
  • 1st Form
  • 2nd Form
  • Perfect Form
 Yes
Cell Jr. No
Chiaotzu Yes
Cooler No
Cui No
Dabura Yes
Dodoria Yes
Dr. Gero Yes
Dr. Wheelo No
Frieza (Z) Yes
Frieza Force Soldier No
Gogeta (GT) No
Gohan (Kid) Yes
Gohan (Teen) Yes
Gohan (Adult) Yes
Gohan (Future) No
Goku (Z - Early) Yes
Goku (Z - Mid) Yes
Goku (Z - End) Yes
Goku (GT) No
Goku (Teen) No
Goten Yes
Gotenks Yes
Guldo Yes
Hirudegarn No
Janemba
  • Base
  • Super Janemba
 No
Jeice Yes
Kid Buu Yes
King Cold No
Krillin Yes
Lord Slug No
Majin Buu Yes
Majin Buu (Evil) No
Majin Vegeta No
Master Roshi Yes
Mecha Frieza No
Metal Cooler No
Mr. Satan Yes
Nail No
Nappa Yes
Pan (GT) No
Perfect Cell Yes
Piccolo Yes
Piccolo (Fused with Kami) Yes
Raditz Yes
Recoome Yes
Saibaman No
Spopovich No
Super Buu
  • Base
  • Gotenks Absorbed
  • Gohan Absorbed
 Yes
Super Garlic Jr. No
Super Gogeta (Z) No
Syn Shenron (GT) No
Tapion No
Tien Yes
Trunks (Sword) Yes
Trunks (Melee) Yes
Trunks (Kid) Yes
Turles No
Ultimate Gohan Yes
Uub (GT)
  • Base
  • Majuub (GT)
 No
Vegeta (Z - Scouter) Yes
Vegeta (Z - Early) Yes
Vegeta (Z - End) Yes
Vegeta (GT) No
Vegito Yes
Videl No
Yajirobe No
Yamcha Yes
Zarbon Yes

New characters

Name Transformations Available at Start
Android 17 (Super) Yes
Anilaza No
Beerus Yes
Bergamo No
Broly (Super) No* (Yes via Early Access via pre-order)
Cabba Yes
Caulifla No
Dyspo No
Frieza (Super) Yes
Frost No
Fused Zamasu No
Future Trunks Yes
Gogeta (Super) No* (Yes via Early Access via pre-order)
Goku (Super) Yes
Goku (Super) No
Goku Black No
Hit Yes
Jiren Yes
Kakunsa No
Kale No
Kefla Yes
Ribrianne Yes
Roasie No
Toppo Yes
Vegeta (Super) Yes
Whis Yes
Zamasu Yes

DLC Characters

Name Transformations DLC Pack
Cell Max DLC Pack 1
Gamma 1 DLC Pack 1
Gamma 2 DLC Pack 1
Glorio DLC Pack 2
Gohan (Super Hero) DLC Pack 1
Goku (Mini) DLC Pack 2/DLC Pack 3/Pre-order Bonus
Goku (DAIMA) DLC Pack 3
Majin Duu DLC Pack 3
Majin Kuu DLC Pack 2
Panzy DLC Pack 2
Piccolo (Super Hero) DLC Pack 1
Shallot Extra DLC Pack
Third Eye Gomah DLC Pack 3
Vegeta (Mini) DLC Pack 2
Vegeta (DAIMA) DLC Pack 3

Non-Playable characters

Name Transformations
Fused Zamasu (Gohan)
Gohan Black
Vegeta (Z - Scouter)
  • Super Saiyan

Battle Stages

Pre-Order Bonuses and Editions

Standard Edition

Standard Edition

Standard Edition

The Standard Edition includes the base game. Pre-order bonuses include an exclusive playable character:

  • Goku (Mini)

And it also includes early unlocks for the following characters:

  • Gogeta (Super)
  • Gogeta (Super) (Super Saiyan)
  • Gogeta (Super) (Super Saiyan God Super Saiyan)
  • Broly (Super)
  • Broly (Super) (Super Saiyan)
  • Broly (Super) (Super Saiyan Full Power)

Deluxe Edition (Digital only)

Deluxe Edition

Deluxe Edition

The Digital Deluxe Edition includes the base game and a three-day early access to the game and DLCs. other bonuses include:

  • The Season Pass for DLCs 1, 2, and 3, which will include 20+ characters from Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero and Dragon Ball Daima. Gohan (Super Hero), Piccolo (Super Hero), Gamma 1, Gamma 2 and Cell Max are confirmed characters in DLC 1. Goku (Mini) (Super Saiyan), Vegeta (Mini), Glorio, Panzy, and Majin Kuu are confirmed characters in DLC 2.
  • Summon Shenron, a way to unlock items.

Ultimate Edition

Ultimate Edition

Ultimate Edition

The Ultimate Edition includes all the bonuses in the Digital Deluxe Edition, along with more:

  • Ultimate Upgrade Pack: A Goku (Super) costume with Power Pole, an Emote Voice Set, 2 Player Card backgrounds, and 1 Customization item.
  • Summon Super Shenron to unlock new items.

Collector's Edition

Collector's Edition

Collector's Edition

The Collector's edition includes all the bonuses in the Ultimate Edition, as well as physical items:

  • Lenticular card with an Ultimate Edition Upgrade Pack Voucher Code.
  • Exclusive Dragon Ball Sparking! ZERO diorama.
  • Double-sided metallic bookmark.

Premium Collector's Edition

Premium Collector's Edition

Premium Collector's Edition

The Premium Collector's Edition can only be purchased from the Bandai Namco store, and includes everything in the Collector's Edition and more:

Reception

Publication Score
IGN 7.0/10
Push Square 8.0/10
GameSpot 6.0/10
Eurogamer 10.0/10
Review compilations
Metacritic 82% (based on 63 reviews)

Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero has received generally positive responses, and deemed it as the best Dragon Ball game in 17 years, and a love letter to Toriyama's classic franchise. The game sold over 3 million copies on its first day. It reached a peak concurrent player count of 122,554 on Steam after release.[7] After just one month of release it became the best selling Dragon Ball in the US.[8] It went on to become the fourth best selling game of the year in the US.[9] By February 2025, sales of 5 million had been reached.[10]

Trivia

  • This is the only Budokai Tenkaichi game that retained its original Japanese title for its overseas localization.
  • This is the first Dragon Ball game to be exclusive to the Playstation 5 and Xbox Series X/S.
    • This is also the first Budokai Tenkaichi game to be on Steam.
  • This is the first Budokai Tenkaichi game to feature content from Dragon Ball Super and Dragon Ball Daima.
    • This is also the first Dragon Ball game in general to include content from Dragon Ball Daima.
  • This is the first Dragon Ball game to be influenced with the Naohiro Shintani style from Dragon Ball Super: Broly.
  • This is the final Dragon Ball video game to be involved in Akira Toriyama's lifetime before his death on March 1, 2024.
  • This is Tōru Furuya's final appearance as the Japanese voice of Yamcha since he is stepping down the role due to facing allegations and is replaced by Ryōta Suzuki in Dragon Ball Daima.
  • Sparking! Zero was a sponsor for the Damian Priest vs. Finn Bálor match at the 2024 WWE Premium Live Event, Bad Blood.
  • In the Girl Talk portion of the Encyclopedia, Bulma refers to Perfect Cell as Perfecter Cell. This is a reference to a line said by Yamcha in the Dragon Ball Z Abridged series by TeamFourStar.
  • Characters from Dragon Ball Daima will speak in Japanese even if the game's language is set to English. The same thing partially occurs in Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2 and was formerly the case in Dragon Ball Legends. As of the release of DLC Pack 3, the characters now speak in English.
  • Vegito is the only returning character with a new Transformation as every other character that has a new form were introduced as a new character altogether. Notably, if Vegito was created by fusing Goku (Z-End) and Vegeta (Z-End), he cannot transform into his Super Saiyan Blue state. Similarly, if he was created by fusing Goku (Super) and Vegeta (Super), he cannot transform into his Super Saiyan state.
  • This is the first game where characters have special quotes with themselves.
  • This is Mike McFarland's final appearance as Master Roshi and his other roles due of his diagnoses of glioblastoma.

Gallery

Promotional Material

Scans

Screenshots

References

  1. ↑ Dragon Ball Sparking! ZERO Japanese Release Date. Twitter. Retrieved on June 8, 2024.
  2. ↑ Dragon Ball Sparking! ZERO Finally Has a Released Date - Summer Games Fest 2024 - IGN. IGN. Retrieved on June 7, 2024.
  3. ↑ Codename for new Budokai Tenkaichi. Twitter. Retrieved on March 10, 2023.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 The ultimate surprise: the final reveal of DRAGON BALL: Sparking! ZERO full character roster!. Bandai Namco. Retrieved on September 19. 2024.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 DRAGON BALL: Sparking! ZERO: The Beginner's Guide. Bandai Namco. Retrieved on July 3, 2024.
  6. ↑ Dragon Ball Sparking Zero Gameplay Video Reveals New Mechanics And More Characters. Bandai Namco. Retrieved on March 20, 2024.
  7. ↑ Bandai Namco Canceling Games and Cutting Staff. Game Rant. Retrieved on October 15, 2024.
  8. ↑ Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero becomes best-selling Dragon Ball game in US ever after 1 month, nearly tops October game sales chart. Event Hubs. Retrieved on November 23, 2024.
  9. ↑ Top 20 Best-Selling Games of 2024 Revealed. Game Rant. Retrieved on January 23, 2025.
  10. ↑ Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero Sales Hit 5 Million Units Sold. Dual Shockers.

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