Dragon Ball: Sparking! ZERO – A Nostalgic Powerhouse with Modern Twists

After 17 years of anticipation, Dragon Ball: Sparking! ZERO finally marks the triumphant return of a beloved series. Fans of the classic Budokai Tenkaichi series, which many consider to be the definitive Dragon Ball gaming experience, have been eagerly awaiting this moment.

The game promises a blend of nostalgic gameplay and modern improvements, and after getting hands-on with it, it’s clear that Sparking! ZERO delivers an experience that’s both exciting and, at times, challenging.

The Return of Arena-Style Combat

If you haven’t played a Budokai Tenkaichi game before, the combat style can best be described as a 3D arena fighter. The game allows for full 3D movement in large, destructible arenas, offering a scale that feels massive compared to more traditional fighting games. Fighters can fly, teleport, and launch energy blasts while dashing around the environment, giving battles a distinctly Dragon Ball flavor.

What makes Sparking! ZERO stands out from other anime-based fighting games because of the sheer speed and intensity of combat. Watching characters zip around, teleport, and counter each other’s moves may seem chaotic to an observer, but once you’re in control, the mechanics start to click. The game’s controls are intuitive, even if it takes a bit of time to fully grasp the nuances of the combat system.

Veterans of the Budokai Tenkaichi series will feel right at home, with gameplay that feels familiar but polished. For newcomers, there may be a bit of a learning curve. Thankfully, the game offers advanced tutorials to help players get to grips with the mechanics. While the basic tutorial covers the essentials, diving into the advanced lessons early on is recommended to avoid frustration in the first few hours.

A Roster of Epic Proportions

One of the most jaw-dropping aspects of Sparking! ZERO is the character roster. With over 180 playable characters from the entire Dragon Ball saga, including Dragon Ball Z, Dragon Ball Super, Dragon Ball GT, and even the various movies, this game might boast one of the largest character rosters ever seen in a fighting game. From classic villains like Frieza and Cell to movie exclusives like Broly (both versions), nearly every fan-favorite is here.

While Goku and his many forms make up a good chunk of the roster, there are plenty of deep-cut characters for die-hard fans. Each character maintains unique special moves, transformations, and styles, adding variety and depth to the combat. Speaking of transformations, the game continues the fan-favorite feature of mid-battle transformations and Fusion dances, allowing players to experience the thrill of becoming a Super Saiyan or fusing into powerful new forms mid-fight.

Episode Battles: A True Challenge

Sparking! ZERO doesn’t hold back when it comes to difficulty, especially in its main game mode, Episode Battles. This mode allows players to relive key moments from the Dragon Ball storyline but with a twist. You can explore alternate storylines by winning fights that characters canonically lost, adding a layer of challenge and creativity to the experience.

The Episode Battles mode is not for the faint-hearted. On normal difficulty, the game can be brutally unforgiving, especially for newcomers. Certain fights pit you against multiple opponents, forcing you to survive with a single health bar. Completing secondary objectives unlocks unique rewards, but turning down the difficulty will lock you out of these additional challenges. This mode is an exciting, if sometimes frustrating, way to experience the game’s story content.

Custom Battles: Unleashing Creativity

For those looking for more lighthearted fun, Custom Battles provides a creative outlet where you can design your own dramatic scenarios. Want to see Babidi face off against the Ginyu Force? You can make it happen. Custom Battles allow players to pit any combination of characters against each other, complete with special objectives and in-battle dialogue.

While the custom options are fun, they do feel somewhat limited. Players can’t create their own dialogue or write custom fight titles, which can lead to some awkward and nonsensical interactions. Still, for players who enjoy experimenting with the roster and creating wild battles, this mode offers plenty of entertainment.

Visuals: A Love Letter to the Anime

Visually, Sparking! ZERO excels at recreating the iconic look of the Dragon Ball anime. While the graphics don’t quite reach the level of Dragon Ball FighterZ, which is known for its ultra-crisp 2D visuals, the character models are still on-point and anime-accurate. The game’s ultimate attacks are where the graphics truly shine, with spectacular animations and destructive environments that enhance the cinematic feel of battles.

The arenas in the game are vibrant and destructible, giving battles even more character. Whether you’re fighting in a bustling city or over a serene body of water, the stages offer dynamic environments that can be destroyed during intense combat sequences. One of the most satisfying details is watching spectators flee from a stadium when a Super Attack is launched, adding to the immersion.

Multiplayer: Mixed Results

Online multiplayer is where Sparking! ZERO falters a bit. The game lacks a rollback netcode, which is essential for ensuring smooth online play. If your opponent’s connection isn’t solid, you may experience significant lag. While online multiplayer is functional, it may not be the best place to experience the game’s combat, especially if you’re aiming for a competitive scene.

Split-screen multiplayer, a staple of the series, is also a bit of a letdown. The game restricts split-screen matches to the Hyperbolic Time Chamber, an empty white void. This was likely done to avoid the technical challenges of rendering complex stages twice, but it’s a bit disappointing given the variety of stages available in single-player modes.

Unlockables and Zeni: A Refreshingly Old-School System

One aspect that fans will appreciate is the unlockable system. In an era where many games rely on microtransactions for character and content unlocks, Sparking! ZERO sticks to an old-school approach. Players can unlock characters by completing episodes, and tournaments, or simply by spending Zeni, the in-game currency. The game generously rewards you with Zeni for every activity, making it easy to expand your roster without feeling pressured to buy content.

Some characters can only be unlocked by summoning Super Shenron, adding a layer of challenge for completionists. The entire system feels rewarding and gives players a reason to keep playing, without resorting to the monetization tactics seen in many modern games.

Final Thoughts: A Must-Play for Dragon Ball Fans

Dragon Ball: Sparking! ZERO is a game that delivers on its promise of fast, chaotic, and exhilarating Dragon Ball combat. It’s packed with content, from a massive roster to multiple game modes, and offers a thrilling return to the Budokai Tenkaichi style that fans have been waiting for. While there are some minor disappointments, such as the limitations in split-screen and online play, these do little to detract from the overall experience.

For longtime fans of Dragon Ball and newcomers alike, Sparking! ZERO is a love letter to the series. Its high-flying battles, extensive roster, and faithful representation of the anime make it a must-play for anyone who has ever dreamed of smashing their toys together and recreating iconic moments from the series.

If you have any love for Dragon Ball, Sparking! ZERO is a game you won’t want to miss.