Complete Guide to Goku’s Branching Paths in Dragon Ball Sparking Zero

Dragon Ball Sparking ZERO immerses players in a rich gaming experience, featuring an array of gameplay modes, including multiplayer, the Hyperbolic Chamber local multiplayer, and the captivating Episode Mode. The Episode Mode allows fans to embody popular Dragon Ball characters, navigating through their narratives and expanding on their backgrounds.

Goku, one of the iconic figures in the Dragon Ball franchise, boasts an Episode Mode that presents players with three unique Branching Paths, further unraveling his storyline. These paths deepen the character’s lore and enhance Goku’s narrative within Sparking ZERO.

Exploring Goku’s Branching Paths in Dragon Ball Sparking ZERO

Players can choose from three distinct paths in Goku’s storyline in Sparking ZERO:

Side By Side
Pushing The Limit
The Changing Future

Below is a deeper dive into each branching path.

Side By Side

The various branching paths in Dragon Ball Sparking ZERO (Image via Bandai Namco)

The first path in Goku’s adventure is Side By Side, where Goku must independently defeat Raditz within a designated time frame. If Krillin joins the fight, this path will not proceed, and players will revert to the traditional campaign mode. Once Raditz is taken down, the story unfolds with the following events:

Raditz vs The Turtle School: Goku must defeat Raditz before Krillin can help.
Piccolo’s Proposal: Piccolo proposes training sessions to enhance Gohan’s abilities.
Training Together: Players can challenge Krillin, Yamcha, Tien, or Chiaotzu. Winning against any of them moves the plot forward.
The Importance of Teamwork: Nappa confronts Goku next. Defeating him leads to Vegeta’s interference.
Fearless Vegeta: Vegeta battles Goku and will transform into a Great Ape once sufficiently damaged.
Great Ape Extermination!: To progress, Goku must defeat the Great Ape Vegeta.
The Battle Resumes Too Soon: This phase features another duel with Vegeta, ending with Goku’s accidental demise by Piccolo’s Special Beam Cannon.
Team Combat by an Unlikely Pair: Frieza’s minions arrive to challenge Goku, prompting him to defeat Dodoria and Zarbon.
Mysterious Elite Squadron: Guldo from the Ginyu Force must be vanquished in this encounter.
Consecutive Battles with the Ginyu Force!: Goku faces all five members of the Ginyu Force in a challenging fight devoid of health regeneration.
Suspicious Vegeta: After a confrontation with Frieza, Vegeta fights Goku under the control of Captain Ginyu. Upon defeat, Captain Ginyu is transformed into a frog.
Frieza’s Transformation: Frieza arrives and, after taking damage, showcases his various forms, culminating in his third form.
Side by Side: In this climactic moment, Goku battles Frieza in his Third form until Vegeta intervenes, halting the impending evolution into Frieza’s Final form.

Pushing the Limit

This path unlocks when players align with Piccolo during “The Earth’s Mightiest Duo”episode of Dragon Ball Sparking ZERO. Players must also defeat Raditz before time runs out; otherwise, the standard campaign will continue.

Temporary Peace: Anticipating Vegeta and Nappa’s arrival, Goku tests Gohan’s abilities, and defeating Gohan advances the tale.
Hurry, Goku!: After Saibaman’s attack on his allies, Goku swiftly defeats the adversary.
Goku vs Nappa: Nappa and Vegeta appear, and Goku must weaken Nappa significantly.
A Saiyan’s Education: Goku prevails over Nappa, leading to Vegeta eliminating his partner out of shame.
Transformation: Vegeta transforms into a Great Ape after sustaining damage in battle with Goku, knocking him unconscious.
Goku’s Rage: In his Great Ape form, Vegeta wreaks havoc on Gohan and others, prompting Goku to transform into Super Saiyan and overcome Vegeta, allowing him to flee.
A Solo Journey to Planet Namek: Goku and his allies venture to Namek in a quest for Dragon Balls, encountering a Frieza Force Soldier that must be defeated.
Pushing the Limit: Vegeta appears in Super Saiyan form, claiming victory over Frieza. Goku must also transform and defeat Vegeta to complete this path.

Goku's Branching paths are easy to miss if certain criteria are not met (Image via Bandai Namco/Steam) — Goku’s Branching paths are easy to miss if certain criteria are not met (Image via Bandai Namco/Steam)

The Changing Future

This path delves into Goku’s storyline during the Cell Saga, initiated by accepting Gohan’s plea for assistance in the Hyperbolic Time Chamber episode. Players must protect Piccolo, who is severely wounded, from Cell’s Solar Flare attack; failure to do so will lead to the continuation of the standard campaign.

Defeat Cell!: Goku rushes to rescue Piccolo from Cell, with the task of defeating Cell while avoiding damage from his Solar Flare.
The Androids and Goku: With Cell neutralized, Goku must confront the other Androids, specifically Android 18.
Fun and Games: After overcoming Android 18, Android 17 steps up against Goku. Winning this match opens the final chapter of this path.
The Changing Future: In the climactic end, Goku must vanquish Android 16, who persistently battles despite Android 18 and 17 wanting to withdraw. Goku’s subsequent victory concludes this third and final branching path.

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