The power of Dragon Ball transcends the boundaries of individual media. Goku and his iconic Dragon Balls have captivated audiences across manga, television, film, and video games. While recent 3D Dragon Ball games have taken a step back from the grand, chaotic brawls that defined the Budokai Tenkaichi series, Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero is poised to bring that energy back with a vengeance. After spending three hours with a demo, I’m confident that Sparking! Zero delivers on that promise, offering a truly powerful and exhilarating experience.
The game’s primary focus is on those epic, world-shattering battles that Dragon Ball is known for. Instead of compromising for balance, Sparking! Zero embraces the series’ ridiculous power levels by featuring a staggering roster of over 180 characters, each with their unique strengths and abilities. This means you can pit legendary Saiyan warriors against powerful villains, forming dream teams of your favorite characters and experiencing the ultimate power fantasy.
The game’s combat system is designed to capture the raw power and spectacle of Dragon Ball fights. Skill Count, a core mechanic, allows players to strategize their attacks, transformations, and special moves. You can choose to save your energy for powerful Revenge Counters, boost your stats temporarily, or unleash devastating transformations. The choices you make during a fight have a significant impact on the outcome.
I was particularly impressed by the game’s visual fidelity, which is a significant leap forward from previous Dragon Ball titles. The fights are incredibly detailed and visually stunning, taking full advantage of the power of next-gen consoles. Environments are incredibly immersive, with destructible objects and dynamic weather effects, creating a truly engaging combat experience.
Beyond the core gameplay, Sparking! Zero offers a plethora of game modes to keep players engaged. Bonus Battles present unique scenarios that challenge you to master specific characters or strategies, while Custom Battles let you create your own stories and fights with a range of customization options. World Tournament mode, which focuses on knocking opponents out of the ring, adds a refreshing twist to the traditional fighting game formula. And finally, Episode Battles let you relive iconic moments from the Dragon Ball saga, offering different perspectives and opportunities to control pivotal characters like Jiren or Trunks.
Overall, Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero is shaping up to be an incredible experience for Dragon Ball fans. The game’s massive roster, engaging combat system, and stunning visuals promise a truly epic and exhilarating experience. Whether you’re a seasoned Dragon Ball veteran or a newcomer to the franchise, Sparking! Zero is definitely worth checking out when it launches on October 11th for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC.
