Dragon Ball Sparking! Zero

90%
Game Brain Score Based on 30,479 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • graphics
Dragon Ball Sparking! Zero Game Cover
DRAGON BALL: Sparking! ZERO is the newest installment in the action fighting Tenkaichi series! Fight with Goku and friends to take down evil aliens, destroy androids, and win tournaments in the fastest and most impressive Dragon Ball game to date.
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"Dragon Ball Sparking! ZERO" is a fighting game that features characters from the Dragon Ball series. Pre-ordering gets you an exclusive character and early access to six others. The deluxe edition includes a season pass for additional content and early access to DLC packs. The game builds on the Budokai Tenkaichi series, allowing players to master each character's abilities, transformations, and techniques.

  • PC
  • Play​station 5
  • Windows
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Play​Station
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

90%
Audience ScoreBased on 30,479 reviews
story921 positive mentions
stability135 negative mentions
  • story4,659 mentions

    The story mode in "Dragon Ball Sparking Zero" has received mixed reviews, with many players expressing disappointment over its presentation and execution. While the game features a series of "what if" scenarios that allow for alternate storylines, the majority of the narrative is conveyed through static slideshows and brief cutscenes, which some players find lackluster compared to previous titles in the series. Additionally, the character arcs are often criticized for being incomplete, with key moments and battles omitted, particularly in the stories of characters like Vegeta and Gohan. Overall, while the gameplay and combat mechanics are praised, the story mode is seen as a weak point, especially for those seeking a more immersive narrative experience.

    • “The story mode is engaging and a wonderfully cinematic take on the original story of Z and Super, and the what if scenarios are a great addition.”
    • “The branching 'what if' storylines make it worth the play at the very least, providing fresh takes on familiar arcs.”
    • “The story mode, while fun, could have been fleshed out a lot better, but the alternate paths and unique scenarios keep it interesting.”
    • “The story mode is a complete joke.”
    • “The story mode is a power point presentation.”
    • “The story mode is incredibly difficult at times even when you do know what you are doing.”
  • gameplay2,315 mentions

    The gameplay of "Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero" has received widespread acclaim for its fluidity, depth, and nostalgic ties to the Budokai Tenkaichi series, offering a mix of accessible mechanics for newcomers and complex strategies for veterans. While the combat is fast-paced and visually stunning, some players have noted issues with balance, particularly in online play, where certain mechanics can lead to frustrating experiences. Overall, the game successfully combines classic elements with modern enhancements, making it a must-play for fans of the franchise.

    • “Playing this game brings me back to the days of Budokai Tenkaichi 3, a love letter to the franchise as a whole, amazing gameplay with tons of references to the anime and manga, always a good time whether you're doing your best to win or even just goofing around.”
    • “The game strikes an impressive balance between accessibility and depth—new players can dive right in and enjoy the action, while long-time fans and competitive players will find plenty of mechanics to master.”
    • “The gameplay is incredibly engaging, allowing for a seamless blend of strategic fighting and fast-paced action.”
    • “The gameplay is fast and feels like it used to.”
    • “The story mode is really poor, the gameplay while fast and fun is quite janky and can be completely unresponsive at times, the tournament modes are super basic and lack basic customization features.”
    • “The gameplay is the least polished it has ever been: while all of our favorite techniques are here the gameplay doesn't follow the 'less is more' philosophy intrinsically linked to dragon ball instead having a bunch of unnecessary techniques that no one uses in the game or online modes, which make me question why they're even in the game.”
  • graphics1,507 mentions

    The graphics of "Sparking Zero" have received widespread acclaim for their stunning visuals and vibrant cel-shaded art style, which effectively captures the essence of the Dragon Ball anime. Players appreciate the detailed character models, fluid animations, and impressive special effects that enhance the overall combat experience. However, some users have noted occasional performance issues and a lack of variety in environments, which can detract from the otherwise immersive visual experience.

    • “This game captures the essence of what makes Dragon Ball so iconic—epic battles, stunning visuals, and an immersive experience that keeps you coming back for more.”
    • “The stunning 4K cel-shaded graphics bring the characters and worlds of Dragon Ball to life in breathtaking detail.”
    • “The graphics are stunning, capturing the vibrant art style of the anime while delivering smooth animations that bring each battle to life.”
    • “Despite the impressive scenes and excellent detail, some players feel that the environments and graphics sometimes feel stiff and repetitive, robbing the game of the desired vibrancy in some battles.”
    • “The game feels unfinished, and the graphics look outdated, even by older Budokai Tenkaichi standards.”
    • “Game is the biggest disappointment of the year so far, once the honeymoon phase was over and I finished the story mode I realized how the only thing this game does better than the previous Budokai Tenkaichi games are the visuals and animations.”
  • music500 mentions

    The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with many players praising its energetic and engaging soundtrack that enhances the gameplay experience. However, a significant point of contention is the decision to lock much of the anime music behind expensive DLC, which many fans feel should have been included in the base game or the ultimate edition. Overall, while the original tracks are appreciated, the high cost of additional music packs has left a sour taste for many players.

    • “The music is so good, similar to the old Tenkaichi games.”
    • “The soundtrack features energetic, fast-paced music that mirrors the intensity of the fights.”
    • “The sound and music are top-notch, elevating the game to another level.”
    • “Anime music is behind paid DLC, which sucks tremendously, especially in a $70 game.”
    • “The music in the game is also pretty terrible because they pulled out most of the good songs to sell as DLC, and to make you buy the DLC they made the in-game music terrible.”
    • “Having the anime music locked behind a ridiculously priced paywall is utterly disgusting.”
  • optimization238 mentions

    The game's optimization has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting significant performance issues, particularly on PC and Steam Deck. While some users experience smooth gameplay and good graphics, others face stuttering, lag, and crashes, indicating that the game may not be well-optimized for all hardware configurations. Overall, there is a consensus that while the game has potential, it requires further optimization and bug fixes to enhance the overall experience.

    • “It's a very well made and optimized game that most machines can run.”
    • “Great game, just has some connection issues and optimization to work out.”
    • “Excellent optimization, smooth gameplay, stunning visuals.”
    • “Game is literally unplayable right now due to an optimization issue that causes the game to crash.”
    • “The game has terrible performance on PC.”
    • “This game is so poorly optimized that I can't even transform if I'm not the host of the online match.”
  • stability154 mentions

    The game's stability has been widely criticized, with numerous reports of bugs, glitches, and connectivity issues that significantly detract from the overall experience. Players have noted problems with input recognition, character animations, and online matchmaking, leading to a frustrating gameplay experience. While some users have found enjoyment despite these issues, many agree that the game feels unfinished and requires substantial patches to improve stability.

    • “The game runs great overall and is fairly flawless in terms of menus, gameplay, and cutscenes.”
    • “The graphics are sleek and flowing with cinematic effects given to all your favorite moves, online runs great; I had no problem doing instant transmission into a god kamehameha while the opponent fired off his super, making for a truly intense fight.”
    • “Overall, if you're a fan of the classic Tenkaichi games and you're expecting all the quirks that come with that series, I think you'll still be surprised with just how flushed out and bug-free this game is.”
    • “This game is a buggy, unpolished, rushed mess.”
    • “You're paying $90+ for a buggy unbalanced mess of a game.”
    • “The online PvP is buggy, constantly disconnects, and in the rare matches where I can actually fight, the framerate often slows down to an unplayable crawl.”
  • grinding136 mentions

    The grinding aspect of the game is widely criticized for being excessively tedious and time-consuming, with many players feeling that it detracts from overall enjoyment. Users frequently mention needing "a second life" to manage the extensive grinding required for unlockables and character progression, often describing the process as repetitive and frustrating. While some find the gameplay fun, the overwhelming sentiment is that the grinding can become a chore, particularly in online matches and when farming for items like dragon balls.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “But don't play ranked for 'grinding to the top'; it will take all your enjoyment from the game.”
    • “Grinding to Z rank takes a long time considering you'll be facing the same 4 characters all the time, and then on top of that you'll also be facing people that disconnect suddenly which the devs still have not addressed.”
    • “The game is clear in about a week if you really dedicate to it, and once you are done, the only replay value is the online and farming dragonballs that can be found only as random loot after finishing offline vs CPU mode, making it very, very tedious and boring to collect all the dragonballs.”
  • humor128 mentions

    The humor in the game is a mixed bag, with many players finding joy in the absurdity of character interactions, funny animations, and chaotic multiplayer moments, especially when playing with friends. However, some critiques highlight that the humor can often miss the mark, relying on clichés and frustrating bugs that detract from the overall experience. Overall, while the game offers plenty of laugh-out-loud moments, it also has its share of annoyances that can dampen the fun.

    • “The character design and the graphics are 10/10 and when playing with friends I literally can't stop laughing.”
    • “The custom dialogue between characters can be really funny; there are even unique grab animations just for specific characters fighting each other.”
    • “The campaign is actually really interesting because based on player decisions and gameplay it can split into non-canon branches which are really funny.”
    • “This is frustrating and unfunny; I just want to play with my mates, and I can't even for 10 seconds.”
    • “The jokes fall flat and feel forced, making the experience more awkward than entertaining.”
    • “I expected some clever humor, but instead, it was just a series of tired clichés.”
  • replayability122 mentions

    The game's replayability is a mixed bag, with many players praising the extensive multiplayer modes and custom battles that offer nearly infinite replay value. However, some criticize the single-player story mode for its lack of depth and repetitive nature, suggesting that once the campaign is completed, replayability diminishes significantly. Overall, while the multiplayer and customization options provide substantial replay potential, the single-player experience may not sustain long-term engagement for all players.

    • “The story mode lets you relive moments from the series, and the multiplayer mode offers endless replayability.”
    • “Custom battles are revolutionary and make the replay value for this game skyrocket with how much customization there is.”
    • “The depth and variety of modes—ranging from world tournament battles to custom battles that allow players to create and submit their own matchups—make this title one of the most replayable Dragon Ball games to date.”
    • “Its a really fun game but it doesn't give me the same replayability.”
    • “At the moment the online doesn't even work for me and a bunch of other people, balance is far from being a priority, and there's not a lot of replayability when you beat the lackluster campaign because there's no extra modes to play like how in Tenkaichi 3 we had ultimate battle.”
    • “The lack of variety and replayability makes the gameplay feel repetitive and ultimately unsatisfying.”
  • emotional57 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game resonates strongly with players, evoking nostalgia and joy reminiscent of their childhood experiences with the Dragon Ball franchise. While some critiques highlight a lack of depth in the story mode and pacing issues, many players express that the game successfully rekindles their love for the series, making them feel like kids again and even bringing them to tears with its heartfelt moments and character connections. Overall, it serves as a tribute to fans, despite some gameplay shortcomings.

    • “Love the game, the graphics and design are beautifully made, love how it made me feel like a little kid again.”
    • “The emotional depth and character development elevate the story, making it more than just a backdrop for gameplay.”
    • “This game came out and made me feel like a child again, trying to do a Kamehameha in my room or trying to charge my ki when I was play fighting with my friends.”
    • “It has several problems and it's not good for casual players at all. The story mode is very undercooked, with everyone except Goku having a pretty boring story. This game's story has 'what if?' scenarios that play out if you complete certain objectives. Some of these alternative scenarios can be very luck-dependent; one specific fight in Piccolo's story requires you to take minimal damage, never let Frieza use his ultimate attack, and you're also on a time limit.”
    • “Boring story gameplay feels dull and repetitive; not a game I enjoyed personally. 4/10.”
    • “Still too green; boring story mode, some mechanics need polish or require frame-perfect execution (which is kind of hard with online lag). The CPU requires actual knowledge of the game (more than you are willing to spend if you're playing single player), currently only living from the nostalgia and BT3 players.”
  • monetization54 mentions

    The monetization aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players expressing concerns that it feels like a cash grab, citing missing content and a lack of depth in story modes. However, several users praised the absence of microtransactions, highlighting that all characters and outfits can be unlocked through gameplay, which they found refreshing in a market often dominated by predatory monetization practices. Overall, while some appreciate the consumer-friendly approach, others feel the game lacks the passion and completeness expected from a title in the Dragon Ball franchise.

    • “I enjoy the competitiveness of ranked play, the learning curve of the combat mechanics, and that the publisher isn't scamming its fans via microtransactions and gacha like so many others.”
    • “No pay to win, microtransactions, etc. You can unlock literally everything by just playing the game.”
    • “Monetization wise, the game is very consumer friendly.”
    • “0 feels like a cash grab rather than a well-thought-out addition to the series.”
    • “This game should be the most criticized game of the decade for being a barely fleshed out, not tested, cash grab.”
    • “It feels like there was some passion put behind it, but in the end it was released as a cash grab, preying on the nostalgia of long-time fans.”
  • character development22 mentions

    Character development in the game has received mixed reviews, with many praising the stunning character designs and animations that capture the essence of the Dragon Ball franchise. However, several users express disappointment in the lack of depth and resonance in character arcs, noting that some characters feel one-dimensional and that the game fails to deliver meaningful development compared to previous titles. Overall, while the aesthetic and design elements are highly regarded, the emotional and narrative growth of characters is seen as a significant shortcoming.

    • “The attention to detail in character designs, iconic moves, and even voice acting creates an immersive experience that will leave fans in awe.”
    • “The emotional depth and character development elevate the story, making it more than just a backdrop for gameplay.”
    • “It's a fantastic DBZ game, follows the story arcs well, great character design and customization.”
    • “Character development is lacking; some of my favorite characters feel one-dimensional and their arcs don’t resonate like they used to.”
    • “They will be getting and I don't think I am exaggerating when I say this, but less than 4% of the actual story and thus far we have seen zero character development through 3 sagas.”
    • “And to be clear, DBZ Budokai Tenkaichi 3 and the other two had actual character development, like Vegeta when he's throwing a hissy fit on the asteroid in the Android saga... here?”
  • atmosphere11 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is a mixed bag, with thrilling battle sequences and immersive sound effects enhancing the experience, while some players find the repetitive character selection and uninviting difficulty detract from it. The environments are beautifully crafted, contributing to a sense of investment in character fates, though the menu and UI design lacks the same level of detail. Overall, while the combat atmosphere is engaging, there are areas that need improvement to create a more cohesive experience.

    • “The atmosphere during battles is excellent, with thrilling action showcased through various extreme maneuvers.”
    • “The sound of laser blasts, impacts, and explosions contributes to the immersive atmosphere, ensuring that players are fully engaged in the experience.”
    • “Players will find themselves deeply invested in the fate of their favorite characters as they navigate through beautifully crafted environments, each rich with detail and atmosphere.”
    • “The ranked atmosphere is very sweaty and you will only face the same 4 characters.”
    • “Now it's pure silence; you read it until the characters are talking. I don't know, it leaves a weird atmosphere and doesn't flow well.”
    • “The style and sense of atmosphere in menus and UIs is lacking a lot.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

80% average critic score

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Play time

11hMedian play time
30hAverage play time
6-31hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 85 analyzed playthroughs

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