Is Dragon Ball Sparking Zero Playable on Steam Deck?

Dragon Ball Sparking Zero marks a significant comeback of the beloved Budokai Tenkaichi franchise, which has been on hiatus for nearly 20 years since the release of Budokai Tenkaichi 3 in 2007. The game launched in early access on October 7, 2024, for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X and S, while the Standard Edition is slated for a wider release on October 10, 2024. It boasts an impressive roster of over 180 playable characters along with various game modes.

As handheld gaming surges in popularity, particularly seen with Valve’s Steam Deck, many fans are curious about whether Dragon Ball Sparking Zero will perform well on this platform. Although the game’s Steam page does not provide official confirmation, numerous reports indicate that the game is functioning smoothly on the Steam Deck.

Compatibility of Dragon Ball Sparking Zero with Steam Deck

While the game’s store listing does not explicitly state that it is compatible with Valve’s handheld device, many users have shared positive feedback regarding its performance, particularly during single-player sessions.

Feedback from players who have experienced the game on Steam Deck indicates that Sparking Zero operates without significant performance drawbacks in single-player mode. However, it appears that the multiplayer functionality is currently unavailable. Below are some of the standout reviews from Steam Deck users featured on the store page.

Overview of Steam Deck users' feedback on performance (Image via Steam) — Overview of Steam Deck users’ feedback on performance (Image via Steam)

Players have reported that for optimal gameplay, particularly at high frame rates, the game must be adjusted to lower graphical settings. Even medium settings can achieve around 40 frames per second, but issues tend to arise when the frame rate dips below 60, resulting in noticeable lag during play.

Dragon Ball Sparking ZERO seems to work on Valve's handheld, but it's not officially supported (Image via Bandai Namco) — Dragon Ball Sparking ZERO seems to work on Valve’s handheld, but it’s not officially supported (Image via Bandai Namco)

There is potential for future patches to rectify these issues, and the game may eventually receive partial or full certification for running on the Steam Deck from Valve. As it stands, please remember that the game is not officially recognized as compatible with the Steam Deck until confirmed by either Valve or Bandai Namco.

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