DRAGON BALL Sparking! ZERO

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.

90%Game Brain Score

story, gameplay

stability, grinding

90% User Score Based on 32,190 reviews

Critic Score 80%Based on 53 reviews

Platforms

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About

"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.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

90%

Audience ScoreBased on 32,190 reviews

story970 positive mentions

stability146 negative mentions

story
4,905 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
20%
72%
9%
The story mode in "Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero" has received mixed reviews, with many players expressing disappointment over its presentation and content. While the game features a variety of "what if" scenarios that add some intrigue, the majority of the story is conveyed through static images and slideshows, which many find lackluster compared to previous titles in the series. Additionally, the character-specific story arcs often feel incomplete, with some characters, like Vegeta, having their narratives abruptly cut off, leaving fans wanting more depth and engagement in the storytelling. Overall, while the gameplay is praised, the story mode is seen as a weak point that could benefit from further development and polish.
- “The story mode is a standout feature, blending retellings of classic arcs with original content.”
- “I love how this game stays true to the original Dragon Ball story as well as throwing in interesting 'what if' scenarios.”
- “The 'what if' storylines completely blew me away.”
- “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.”
gameplay
2,417 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
36%
59%
4%
The gameplay of "Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero" has received a mixed but generally positive reception, with many praising its fast-paced, fluid combat that retains the nostalgic feel of the Budokai Tenkaichi series while introducing new mechanics. Players appreciate the depth and complexity of the combat system, which encourages strategic play and mastery of various mechanics, although some have noted that the learning curve can be steep for newcomers. However, issues such as unbalanced character abilities, inconsistent mechanics, and a lackluster story mode presentation have been highlighted as drawbacks, particularly in online play where players often exploit certain mechanics for an advantage. Overall, while the gameplay is engaging and visually impressive, it is marred by some technical and balancing issues that could benefit from future updates.
- “This game is amazing for DBZ fans; the story is good, and the side stories are even better. The mechanics are perfect, and the amount of characters is fantastic.”
- “The gameplay is fun, fast, and relentless. It captures the essence of DBZ in a way that I haven't seen before and wraps it up inside of a game that is extremely satisfying to play once you get past surface level mechanics.”
- “The gameplay is incredibly engaging, with smooth movement. The defensive mechanics add depth to the gameplay, making the back-and-forth action with opponents extremely fun.”
- “Since the release of the game, I have not been able to complete a single online match, and the offline battles have sudden FPS drops at fixed intervals for no apparent reason. All of this, and I'm not even talking about the broken mechanics of the game/characters.”
- “However, the issues with the core gameplay mechanics themselves are varied, with some amendable through simply putting in more time and learning the rich, endless pool of mechanics, and some only fixable through updates (such as ki spamming with powerful characters, and the predictability of vanish war results as soon as they begin).”
- “The gameplay is mediocre; I actually preferred Kakarot over this game because the AI doesn't spam you into buying a noose and chair off Amazon and going next (yes, I'm talking about Great Ape Vegeta).”
graphics
1,600 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
65%
34%
1%
The graphics of "Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero" have received widespread acclaim for their stunning visuals and vibrant art style, effectively capturing the essence of the anime. Players have praised the fluid animations, detailed character models, and impressive special effects, which enhance the overall combat experience. While some minor graphical issues and performance concerns have been noted, the game's aesthetic appeal is consistently highlighted as a standout feature, making it a must-play for fans of the franchise.
- “The graphics are absolutely stunning—the game is gorgeous, with vibrant visuals and fluid animations that make every fight feel like it’s ripped straight from the anime.”
- “The graphics are incredible, definitely the best presentation a dragon ball game has ever had.”
- “The graphics, animations, and attention to detail in this game are simply fantastic.”
- “Terrible graphics; the game is super laggy and tasking my PC, lit on fire because of this stupid game.”
- “The game feels unfinished, and the graphics look outdated, even by older Budokai Tenkaichi standards.”
- “For a $70 game, the slideshow cutscenes and sparse use of voice acting make it feel kind of cheap, but all I really care about is fighting online and with friends, which I think is done very well here, better than any Budokai game to date, especially with the graphics.”
music
526 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
24%
69%
7%
The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with some praising its energetic and engaging tracks that enhance the gameplay experience, while others criticize it as generic and lacking memorable themes compared to previous titles. A significant point of contention is the decision to lock much of the anime music behind expensive DLC packs, which many players feel should have been included in the base game or the ultimate edition. Overall, while the soundtrack has its highlights, the pricing and availability of classic tracks have left many fans disappointed.
- “The emotional weight of key moments is further amplified by a stirring soundtrack that incorporates reimagined themes from the series.”
- “The soundtrack during fights, especially with the new 'sparking' mode for ultimate attacks, is fantastic.”
- “The music is absolutely fantastic, as it has the Budokai Tenkaichi 3 vibe of the original in-game soundtrack.”
optimization
243 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
30%
44%
26%
The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting significant performance issues, including stuttering, frame drops, and crashes, particularly on PC and Steam Deck. While some users have managed to achieve smooth gameplay with high-end setups, others express frustration over the lack of proper optimization for various platforms, especially given the game's price point. Overall, it appears that while the game has potential, it requires substantial updates to address its current optimization shortcomings.
- “The game runs smoothly and feels like you're watching the show.”
- “Great game, just has some connection issues and optimization to work out.”
- “Excellent optimization, smooth gameplay, stunning visuals.”
- “Let me start by saying the performance of this game is absolutely unacceptable, along with its crummy marketing.”
- “Game is literally unplayable right now due to an optimization issue that causes the game to crash.”
- “This game is hot garbage and terribly optimized.”
stability
166 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
12%
88%
The game's stability has been widely criticized, with numerous players reporting a plethora of bugs and glitches that significantly impact gameplay. Issues range from game-breaking glitches and unresponsive controls to frequent disconnects in online play, leading many to describe the experience as frustrating and unpolished. While some users note that the game runs smoothly at times, the overall consensus is that it requires substantial fixes to address its current instability.
- “The game runs great overall and is fairly flawless in terms of menus, gameplay, and cutscenes.”
- “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 polished and bug-free this game is.”
- “Runs great, netcode works really well, it's a darn good fighting game for Dragon Ball fans!”
- “I have never had a game so nonfunctional, so buggy, and so aggravating in my entire lifetime.”
- “This game is a buggy, unpolished, rushed mess.”
- “You're paying $90+ for a buggy unbalanced mess of a game.”
grinding
143 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
2%
28%
70%
The grinding aspect of the game is frequently described as tedious and time-consuming, with many players noting that unlocking items and characters often requires excessive effort, leading to frustration. While some enjoy the gameplay and find the grind rewarding, others feel it detracts from the overall experience, particularly due to repetitive tasks and poorly designed mechanics that make progression feel like a chore. Overall, players suggest that significant grinding is necessary to fully enjoy the game, often humorously remarking that it feels like needing "a second life" to complete all the tasks.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “Items can cost thousands of zeni to unlock, so collecting 1000 zeni here and there can be tedious.”
- “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.”
humor
136 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
99%
2%
The humor in the game is a mixed bag, often relying on nostalgic references and quirky character interactions that can lead to hilarious moments, especially when playing with friends. Players appreciate the funny custom battles and absurd scenarios, but also note that some aspects, like rage quitting and unbalanced characters, can detract from the overall experience. While the game has its comedic highlights, it sometimes falls short with clichéd humor and technical issues that can frustrate players.
- “The custom battle mode is hilarious and adds a lot of replay value.”
- “The character design and the graphics are 10/10 and when playing with friends I literally can't stop laughing.”
- “Custom battles is hilariously fun if you are creative enough to take the time and play around with it, I just wish they added voice lines instead of just text, but I'll take it.”
- “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.”
replayability
135 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
32%
62%
6%
Overall, the game is praised for its high replayability, largely due to the extensive custom battle options and diverse game modes, including well-crafted storylines and multiplayer features. While many players find the custom battles and "what-if" scenarios to provide nearly infinite replay value, some express concerns about the lack of additional content and modes that could enhance long-term engagement. Despite some criticisms regarding repetitive gameplay and limited offline content, the game's character variety and community-driven content contribute significantly to its replayability.
- “It is an incredibly fun game with almost endless replayability, and there are so many story modes like Frieza, Vegeta, Goku, or Gohan, and many more, as well as online battles.”
- “Custom battles offer infinite replayability, and it's really a choice I respect; it fits.”
- “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.”
- “If it were better and offered more replayability, the game would have retained its player base much more.”
- “Overall, if you're a big fan of the anime, you'll likely love this game, but the replay value will likely not last as long as you'd hope if you compare it to the Tenkaichi games.”
- “The lack of variety and replayability makes the gameplay feel repetitive and ultimately unsatisfying.”
emotional
62 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
94%
6%
The emotional aspect of the game resonates deeply with players, evoking nostalgia and joy reminiscent of their childhood experiences with the Dragon Ball series. While some players appreciate the heartfelt tribute and emotional stakes presented in key moments, others criticize the lack of depth and pacing in the story mode, leading to mixed feelings about the overall emotional impact. Despite its flaws, many players express that the game successfully rekindles their love for the franchise, making them feel like kids again.
- “The emotional weight of key moments is further amplified by a stirring soundtrack that incorporates reimagined themes from the series.”
- “This game made me cry, and I have never cried before.”
- “This is not just a game, rather, an extension to the Dragon Ball universe, and it is a loss in life to not play this beautiful game, and it is only better if you have already made emotional connections with the shows.”
- “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, it only lives from nostalgia and BT3 players.”
monetization
57 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
5%
30%
65%
The monetization aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players praising the absence of microtransactions and the ability to unlock all content through gameplay. However, a significant number of users feel that the game ultimately feels like a cash grab, citing incomplete features and a lack of passion in its development. While some appreciate the consumer-friendly approach, others express disappointment over perceived missed opportunities and the reliance on nostalgia for marketing.
- “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 mechanics or microtransactions; you can unlock literally everything just by playing the game.”
- “It's a huge step forward for a game this popular to have such generosity in the base game with no microtransactions.”
- “This feels like an incomplete cash grab.”
- “But I expected better and personally view this as a soulless cash grab; I genuinely feel insulted. This is from someone who's played every Dragon Ball game since Ultimate Battle 22.”
- “An unfinished, unpolished, DLC-riddled cash grab.”
character development
25 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
48%
40%
12%
Character development in the game has received mixed reviews, with many praising the stunning character designs and animations that capture the essence of the franchise. However, some players feel that character arcs are lacking depth, resulting in one-dimensional portrayals that fail to resonate as strongly as in previous titles. Overall, while the visual aspects are celebrated, the narrative and character growth leave much to be desired.
- “The attention to detail in character designs, iconic moves, and even voice acting creates an immersive experience that will leave fans in awe.”
- “It's a fantastic DBZ game, follows the story arcs well, great character design and customization.”
- “The character designs are spot-on, capturing the essence of each fighter perfectly.”
- “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 throwing a hissy fit on the asteroid in the Android saga... here?”
atmosphere
11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
45%
27%
27%
The game's atmosphere is a mixed bag, featuring thrilling battle environments enhanced by immersive sound effects and detailed visuals that engage players. However, some players find the ranked mode repetitive and the overall difficulty uninviting, which detracts from the experience. While the combat system offers a familiar yet revamped feel, the menus and UI lack the same atmospheric depth, leaving room for improvement.
- “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.”