Four hours—almost four hours, to be precise—is the duration Bandai Namco provided us for our final hands-on preview of Dragon Ball Sparking Zero, a month before its release. This game is highly anticipated for two reasons: first, it marks the series’ return after a 17-year hiatus and an excruciating wait; second, it aims to bring together all the elements that fans of Dragon Ball and spectacular fighting games desire. Today, we will share new details about the game, its gameplay, certain aspects of its development, as well as our conversation with Jun Furutani, the producer.
200+ CHARACTERS WHEN DLC WILL BE RELEASED
In Sparking Zero, out of the 182 fighters, characters such as Goku, Vegeta, Trunks, or Gohan appear in up to ten different versions. These include Goku normal, Goku Kaioken, Super Saiyan 1, Super Saiyan 2, Super Saiyan 3, Blue (Super Saiyan) form, and Ultra Instinct mode. Some observers believe that this practice inflates the roster artificially since most of these characters allow transformation into higher stages. I inquired about why the development studio chose to multiply certain characters so much and whether they had considered creating a single unique version for Goku or Vegeta with all transformations and attacks available. Jun Furutani, the producer of Sparking Zero, informed me that this idea was discussed but ultimately deemed unfeasible due to the significant evolution these characters undergo throughout different story arcs and over many years. Additionally, developers take into account player preferences; some players might prefer Goku in Super Saiyan 2 form while disliking his Blue (Super Saiyan) form. By allowing players to choose a character version that aligns with their preference, they can save time without the need for frequent transformations. Moreover, managing multiple transformation stages would require intricate mechanics and could become chaotic. Jun Furutani’s explanation is pragmatic and reasonable.
FUN FIRST, HIT SECOND, BALANCE LATER
I also mentioned balance in the game, because in any respectable fighting game, what we strive for is balance among characters, so no single character has an advantage over others. Let’s be honest, in the Budokai Tenkaichi series, balance was never a priority, and that’s okay. It makes sense. Mr. Satan, Yajirobe, or even Babidi can’t compete against a Broly, Gogeta, or Goku Ultra Instinct; it’s not logical. The presence of these seemingly eccentric characters is there for enjoyment, to say that we can play them, even if their power and attacks remain limited, and that’s accepted. If you want to win a fight, whether locally, online, or in a tournament, you obviously choose the characters with the highest chance of victory against others.
Regarding gameplay, much has been discussed about Sparking Zero, and it is acknowledged that its gameplay is based on Budokai Tenkaichi 3 but with significant enhancements, making battles more spectacular and closer to the anime. During this second hands-on session, I was able to explore some nuances further, including discovering how to execute the highly dynamic dodges showcased in certain trailers. In fact, these stylish dodges activate when you use perception at precise moments, similar to a perfect dodge, which triggers a brief animation. Mastering this is challenging due to the chaotic nature of combat in Sparking Zero, and perfectly timing your perception may not always be feasible. However, it is certainly rewarding when executed successfully.
STREAM YOUR OFFICIAL MUSICS!
This second hands-on preview provided me the chance to explore the Story mode and the acclaimed Episode Battle in greater depth. Bandai Namco granted us a session of 30 minutes each to experience Goku’s story and Black Goku’s narrative. This confirms that, indeed, the Dragon Ball Z arc will not be the sole playable storyline available, which I am looking forward to since studios often inundate players with arcs centered around Freeza, Cell, and Buu—original but familiar after 35 years. Thus, we are now entering the Dragon Ball Super era, though Jun Furutani noted that the Story mode will not be as intricate as in Dragon Ball Kakarot, which offers a rich solo experience, whereas Sparking Zero emphasizes combat. However, there are no plans to incorporate the Dragon Ball GT arc, which is disappointing despite its limited appeal, and I would have appreciated an attempt at it by a studio.
My final point concerns the music. I’ve observed some information circulating on social media, although it hasn’t been officially announced yet. The official anime soundtracks will indeed be featured in the game. In Japan, they will be included as part of the Ultimate version, while elsewhere, two downloadable packs will be available for purchase. Bandai Namco has chosen to offer these soundtracks as additional paid content, recognizing that many fans will want to acquire them. Personally, I am already excited about hearing tracks like “Head Cha-la,” “We Gotta Power,” and “Dan Dan” in the game, along with the rest of the official soundtrack.
