Dragon Ball Sparking Zero Review: A Nearly Perfect Addition to the Budokai Tenkaichi Series

2024/10/07

Dragon Ball Sparking Zero largely meets my expectations. While it has a few minor shortcomings, it stands out as virtually flawless for a Budokai Tenkaichi title. From the captivating opening cutscene to engaging story battles, a diverse character roster, and various game modes, it truly embodies what I was hoping for. It’s the small touches that bring joy to my gaming experience. The menus are brimming with familiar characters, and the lineup includes every anime up to the yet-to-be-released Dragon Ball Daima.

Having recently previewed the game, I left with a strong desire to dive back in. I was ecstatic to revisit it, and it did not disappoint with its beautiful graphics, memorable characters, and exhilarating battles—everything combines to deliver a nearly perfect Dragon Ball experience.

Exploring the Roster of Dragon Ball Sparking Zero

An impressive character roster awaits players (Image via Bandai Namco)

Dragon Ball Sparking Zero features an impressive lineup of over 180 fighters on one grand battlefield. Regardless of which series you prefer, there’s something for everyone. Even fans of Dragon Ball GT like me will find characters to enjoy. However, there’s a point to address: not every cherished character is included.

Regrettably, General Rildo and Hell Fighter 17 are absent, and personally, I was hoping to see Tao Pai Pai (Mercenary Tao) among the roster. Yet, this doesn’t diminish my excitement in any way. While some enthusiasts may feel let down by missing a character or two, I find the overall count of 182 characters remarkable. Indeed, there are multiple variations of Goku, but splitting the most prominent characters across different sagas provides depth and a variety of abilities for each variant.

Diverse Goku options add depth to gameplay (Image via Bandai Namco)

Goku represents a distinctly different fighter during the early Z saga compared to his form in the Universal Survival Arc of Dragon Ball Super. It simply wouldn’t be logical for him to utilize all those abilities at once with a single version of him.

That said, I acknowledge some fans might be disappointed with the character selections, but personally, I am quite content with the array. The roster combines formidable movie villains, nostalgic characters, and even some who are making their video game debut, and I am thoroughly pleased.

Diverse Combat Mechanics in Dragon Ball Sparking Zero

Combat offers options for all skill levels (Image via Bandai Namco)

At its heart, Dragon Ball Sparking Zero features straightforward combat mechanics. Players have access to a melee button and a ki button for combo executions. The main attack, termed as Rush Attack, flows into Ki Blast/Rush Chain to create combo opportunities. Players can pursue enemies and execute a variety of more intricate moves, providing depth for those eager to master the game.

Many have likely seen the dodging maneuvers showcased in game trailers. From evading blows like Whis and Beerus to skillfully intercepting incoming attacks, the combat system presents numerous strategic options.

Beam Clashes return, a feature I missed greatly! The game also introduces a new mechanic called Skill Count. This indicator, located beneath your health bar, fluctuates throughout battles. As players unleash abilities, this count rises, unlocking activated abilities that typically enhance characters or fully recharge their meters.

Two exciting counter options, Revenge Counter and Super Perception, offer a fun way to engage in battle as players teleport and strategize behind one another to gain a competitive advantage. I believe the combat system will impress players once they discover its hidden depths, with plenty of tactical options for both offense and defense in Dragon Ball Sparking Zero.

Engaging Game Modes Offer Endless Entertainment

Training mode is crucial for mastering skills (Image via Bandai Namco)

Another key aspect to highlight is the variety of game modes available! A game of this scale needs ample activities, and I anticipate that online play will become the preferred choice, sustaining the game’s longevity, even without crossplay.

Multiple engaging modes are built into the game. If you’re interested in creating custom battles and narratives, the Episode & Custom Battle mode is perfect. For those looking to hone their skills and learn the new mechanics, the Training Mode is invaluable. If a spirited online World Tournament is what you’re after, the World Tournament mode provides that outlet.

The Episode Battle mode includes canon and non-canon storylines, totaling ten battles to engage in. My only real complaint is that some of the “What If” objectives proved notably challenging—I admit they were maddening at times. I still have unfinished ones to tackle, particularly for Goku Black.

Bustling with content, this game offers many challenges (Image via Bandai Namco)

Players can purchase an array of characters, outfits, and more from the Shop, while easy Zeni can be earned via challenges in the Challenge & Missions section. Here, Zenoh and Whis provide specific tasks, offering titles, Zeni, and even Dragon Balls as rewards. Now, let’s delve into the advantages of summoning the Dragons!

Should You Summon the Dragon(s) in Dragon Ball Sparking Zero?

Farming Dragon Balls is worthwhile (Image via Bandai Namco)

In Dragon Ball Sparking Zero, players can interact with all three Dragons—Shenron, Prounga, and Super Shenron! This feature implies three distinct sets of Dragon Balls to collect. Accessing the first set is relatively straightforward, though subsequent collections will require additional effort. For instance, finishing Goku’s Episode Battle grants a complete set of Super Dragon Balls, while completing challenges from Whis unlocks regular Dragon Balls.

If I had been wiser with my wishes, I would have unlocked all characters by now—unfortunately, I missed realizing the simplest way to unlock Goku Black was to wish for him through the Super Dragon Balls. I did manage to unlock Fused Zamasu, though—I should have wished for both.

Farming Dragon Balls can be tedious. Most requests are standard goals—player leveling, accumulating Zeni, and titles, which aren’t groundbreaking, but wishing for extra Zeni accelerates the character unlocking process. Although there are different methods to earn Dragon Balls, late-game progress will necessitate completion of story modes, which can feel like a grind. Be strategic about your wishes!

Craft Your Own (Makafushigi) Adventure

Create epic battles or play pre-set scenarios in Dragon Ball Sparking Zero! (Image via Bandai Namco)

There are a couple of unique modes worth showcasing. The Custom Battle feature is a fantastic addition to Dragon Ball Sparking Zero. The ability to design your ultimate fight, complete with intro/outro scenes, dialogue, and any character you desire, is truly remarkable. While it may require a significant time investment, the outcome is rewarding!

Players must also ensure these battles can be won, as users cannot simply create impossible challenges to post online. Yes, share this content with others to attempt! Moreover, I want to emphasize the World Tournament mode, which showcases major tournaments along with quirky events like the random Yamcha Games.

I appreciate the opportunity to organize custom tournaments and host them online, which is sure to enrich the competitive scene. However, the lack of unique stages for both the Tournament of Destroyers and the Other World tournament is a nagging detail I hope gets addressed in the future.

Dragon Ball Sparking Zero is Visually Stunning, but…

The graphics in Dragon Ball Sparking Zero are stunningly beautiful (Image via Bandai Namco)

I am thoroughly captivated by the visuals of Dragon Ball Sparking Zero. The game exhibits breathtaking graphics, with every character designed to precisely reflect their appearance in the anime/manga, not to mention stunning attack animations. Special moves are explosively animated, and there are delightful touches and easter eggs sprinkled throughout.

For instance, using a powerful super attack during the World Martial Arts Tournament clears the audience from the stands, allowing players to break through the crowd and into the parking lot. Despite this, I wish for a few additional stages. I understand the workload involved in crafting destructible battle arenas, yet I yearn for more in the future.

The voice acting and sound effects during combat are equally top-notch. However, I do have one lingering issue—the soundtrack. Why is there only one standout track from the franchise—Limit Break X Survivor? There are countless iconic songs that could have enhanced the game, and while plans for future DLC may exist, it feels like a significant number of tracks didn’t make the cut.

No Kuu-Zen-Zetsu-Go, We Gotta Power, News of the Cell Game, Makafushigi Adventure, or Boku-Tachi wa Tenshi Datta? So many missed opportunities arise here. The Dragon Ball franchise boasts an incredible collection of opening, ending, and insert tracks—easily a 15-20 song list that was overlooked.

Final Thoughts

Who can master the Kamehameha best? (Image via Bandai Namco)

I genuinely love Dragon Ball Sparking Zero. As a fervent fan of the franchise, it holds up exceptionally well. The experience feels true to the Budokai Tenkaichi lineage, showcasing the developers’ genuine affection for the series. While I find myself wishing for more in certain areas, I believe the overall package presented is outstanding.

Of course, I miss the freedom of flying around and wish that unlocking certain “What If” scenarios could be a little less convoluted. Nonetheless, I’m enamored with every other aspect of the game—my grievances are quite minor.

One small issue is that the game does not clarify the role of character proficiency, and the customization system isn’t explicitly explained—you’ll need to rely on memories from prior titles. Overall, aside from these slight inconveniences, Dragon Ball Sparking Zero is a phenomenal adventure that any anime fan should experience.