DRAGON BALL Sparking! ZERO

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DRAGON BALL Sparking! ZERO is a single player and multiplayer action adventure game. It was developed by Spike Chunsoft Co., Ltd. and was released on October 10, 2024. It received very positive reviews from players.

"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.

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92%

Audience ScoreBased on 37,786 reviews

story1.2k positive mentions

stability178 negative mentions

story
6,152 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
19%
72%
9%
The story mode in "Sparking Zero" has received mixed reviews, with many players expressing disappointment over its presentation, which primarily consists of slideshows and minimal cutscenes, lacking the depth and animation expected from a modern game. While the inclusion of "what if" scenarios adds some intrigue and replayability, the overall narrative feels rushed and disjointed, often skipping significant battles and character arcs, particularly for characters like Vegeta and Gohan. Players recommend "Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot" for a more immersive storytelling experience, while acknowledging that the game's focus is more on combat and multiplayer features.
- “The story mode is engaging, featuring exciting missions that expand on the Dragon Ball universe, making it feel like I’m part of the saga.”
- “The story mode has a ton of 'what if' scenarios, but it is kinda annoying that you have to intentionally play poorly to unlock the 'canonical' path most of the time.”
- “The story mode includes fun 'what-if' scenarios that mix up the classic Dragon Ball timeline, giving fans fresh takes on iconic moments.”
- “The story mode is a complete joke.”
- “The story mode has no narration and it's more slideshow than cutscenes, so if you don't plan on playing online battles, it's best to avoid it.”
- “The story is presented in a slideshow format with animated cutscenes sprinkled in, which feels lazy and any newcomers to the series will be lost as the story moves on extremely quickly.”
gameplay
2,780 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
37%
59%
4%
The gameplay of "Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero" has received a mix of praise and criticism. Many players appreciate the fast-paced, fluid combat that retains the nostalgic feel of the Budokai Tenkaichi series while introducing new mechanics that add depth and complexity, making it engaging for both casual and competitive players. However, some reviewers have pointed out issues with the tutorial's lack of clarity, unbalanced mechanics, and the repetitive nature of certain gameplay elements, which can detract from the overall experience.
- “The gameplay is engaging and packed with depth, offering plenty of variety across different modes and character perspectives.”
- “The dynamic battles, stunning visuals, and immersive gameplay make it a must-play for any Dragon Ball enthusiast.”
- “The gameplay genuinely has more depth than almost every other 3-dimensional fighting game out there with all of its available mechanics, and unlike some other games, it provides a wide variety of defensive options rather than being a race to whoever can pull off the best combo first wins.”
- “The gameplay is trash (specifically speaking to the story mode) with the enemy AI going from completely garbage to beating you like a drum for three minutes straight back to being completely garbage and literally just standing there doing nothing as you charge up to full power.”
- “The core mechanics of fighting are polished looking but feel much less responsive than previous installments.”
- “The gameplay is inconsistent, and the mechanics feel overly complicated and not explained well enough in the tutorial.”
graphics
1,966 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
65%
34%
1%
The graphics of "Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero" have received widespread acclaim for their stunning visuals and vibrant anime aesthetic, often described as breathtaking and reminiscent of high-quality CGI from the series. Players appreciate the fluid animations, detailed character models, and the overall immersive experience that brings the Dragon Ball universe to life, making it arguably the best-looking Dragon Ball game to date. However, some users noted that while the graphics are impressive, they sometimes overshadow gameplay mechanics, leading to mixed feelings about the overall experience.
- “Zero is astounding, delivering a crisp and stunning take on the anime aesthetic.”
- “The graphics are nothing short of breathtaking, with fluid animations and beautifully rendered character models that truly bring the Dragon Ball universe to life.”
- “The graphics are phenomenal, and the combat looks incredible even if you're just mashing square/x, the sound design is great too.”
- “The only thing it has to offer is flashy graphics.”
- “This game is probably the best example of what happens when you gaslight people with over-hype and shiny visuals into buying your overpriced game.”
- “They clearly put a lot of effort into the graphics and story, but they skimped out on actual enjoyable combat.”
music
629 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
23%
70%
7%
The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with many praising the original soundtrack for its energetic and fitting compositions that enhance gameplay. However, a significant point of contention is the exclusion of beloved anime tracks, which are locked behind expensive DLC paywalls, leading to frustration among players who feel that these should have been included in the base or ultimate editions. Overall, while the in-game music is generally well-received, the pricing and availability of additional tracks have left many fans feeling disappointed.
- “The soundtrack is powerful and fits perfectly with every battle and cutscene, giving players that extra burst of adrenaline in pivotal moments.”
- “The sound and music are top-notch, elevating the game to another level.”
- “The soundtrack features a mix of classic tunes and new compositions that enhance the overall experience.”
- “Having the anime music locked behind a ridiculously priced paywall is utterly disgusting.”
- “The only major complaint is that the anime music is locked behind a separate DLC paywall.”
- “The music is not included even in the ultimate edition.”
optimization
355 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
30%
43%
27%
The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players reporting smooth performance and high graphical fidelity, while others experience significant stuttering, frame drops, and input lag, particularly on high-end PCs. Many users express hope for future optimization updates to address these issues, especially regarding shader compilation and performance consistency across different hardware setups. Overall, while some players find the game well-optimized, others consider it poorly optimized, particularly for PC, leading to a varied gaming experience.
- “I had no issues running this game on ultra settings at 2560 x 1440 resolution, and I also didn't notice any graphical or performance bugs during my current playtime.”
- “Super well optimized. The cutscenes are great, the visuals are great, the game is heavily optimized, and the custom battles are an entirely new way to play.”
- “The game runs smoothly without sacrificing visual quality.”
- “The only reason I say save your money is because this game is not optimized.”
- “This game is hot garbage and terribly optimized.”
- “Performance issues with an i7-12700K and 3080 32 GB of DDR5 RAM; the game still runs like shit.”
stability
211 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
16%
84%
The game's stability has been widely criticized, with many players reporting numerous bugs, glitches, and control issues that significantly impact gameplay. While some users have noted that the game runs smoothly in certain aspects, the overall experience is marred by frequent crashes, unresponsive controls, and connectivity problems, particularly in online modes. Despite these issues, there is hope for improvements through future patches, as many players still find the core gameplay enjoyable.
- “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.”
- “Animations are good and even though I have an 'old' graphics card (1660 Super), it runs great with no frame drops or any animations/graphics problems.”
- “Bug-free experience so far.”
- “The game is a bit buggy (enemy AI breaking sometimes, occasional game crashes, etc.), but I am playing the early access version currently so there might be a day one patch on the proper release.”
- “Game is brand new, but it is unforgivably buggy.”
- “I want to play it, but it is a buggy mess at the moment.”
humor
157 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
99%
1%
The humor in the game is widely appreciated, with players enjoying funny character interactions, amusing what-if scenarios, and quirky gameplay mechanics that evoke laughter. Many highlight the nostalgic charm and comedic elements that stay true to the Dragon Ball series, making it a fun experience, especially in multiplayer settings. However, some critiques mention that certain jokes can become repetitive or miss the mark, but overall, the game is seen as a humorous and entertaining addition for fans and newcomers alike.
- “Bandai telling people to just get good is also really funny.”
- “Also Daima Goku speaking Japanese while the rest of the mini Gokus speak English in one of the interactions is hilarious.”
- “The custom battle mode is hilarious and adds a lot of replay value.”
- “This is frustrating and unfunny; I just want to play with my mates, and I can't even for 10 seconds.”
- “This is frustrating and unfunny; I just want to play with my mates, and I can't even for 10 seconds.”
replayability
144 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
72%
3%
The game boasts high replayability due to its diverse modes, including branching story paths, custom battles, and competitive online play, which encourage players to explore different character perspectives and scenarios. While many players appreciate the depth and variety of content, some express concerns about potential repetitiveness after completing the main story. Overall, the combination of fan-made content, character customization, and engaging multiplayer options contributes to a robust replay value that keeps players returning for more.
- “There’s replay value since you’re encouraged to go back and unlock different story paths with episodes following many different characters, giving perspectives we haven't seen before.”
- “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.”
- “With over 200 characters, each with unique abilities, transformations, and moves, the game offers endless replay value.”
- “The lack of variety and replayability makes the gameplay feel repetitive and ultimately unsatisfying.”
- “Although the episodes are very cool and the what-if scenarios are nice to find and play through, once you finish them, there is basically nothing left to do in the game unless you start grinding the PvP battles (it only took me about 20 hours of thorough gameplay to play through all the stories and these offer low replayability value).”
- “Right now, only PvP is keeping this game afloat, but when the player base inevitably shrinks (and I assure you, it will), this game will die and lose any replay value.”
grinding
140 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
2%
25%
73%
The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players finding it tedious and time-consuming, particularly when unlocking characters and completing objectives. While some appreciate the sense of achievement that comes from grinding, others criticize the lack of meaningful rewards and the repetitive nature of the tasks, leading to frustration. Overall, players suggest that the grinding can feel excessive and detracts from the enjoyment of the game, despite some finding it addictive and worthwhile in the long run.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “Unlike Xenoverse, there's no substantial grinding or progression system to keep players invested.”
- “The story mode felt either tedious or boring: either spend a good chunk of time trial and error hoping my execution is on point the entire time, often resetting in the very end due to a skill issue or abusing the AI.”
- “This combined with some painfully short timers for most secondary objectives just makes it incredibly tedious and annoying to complete the actual what-if story missions that were written specifically for this game, which feels like a waste.”
emotional
81 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
95%
5%
The emotional aspect of the game resonates deeply with players, evoking nostalgia and joy reminiscent of their childhood experiences with the Dragon Ball franchise. Many express that the game made them cry, whether from overwhelming enjoyment or frustration, highlighting its ability to connect players to their past and the beloved characters. However, some critiques mention that while the visuals and combat are impressive, the story lacks depth, which may detract from the overall emotional engagement.
- “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.”
- “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.”
- “Ranked is broken beyond repair. You get locked in a simple combo in 2 seconds against UI Goku abusers. The story is basically the same boring story told for the 100th time unless you stick a carrot up your bum and beat every opponent in an insanely unfair time limit, all that just to get a cinematic. The fights are boring as hell even if you try to create your own battle scenarios.”
monetization
66 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
5%
48%
47%
The monetization model of the game has received mixed reviews, with many praising its lack of microtransactions and the ability to unlock all characters and outfits through gameplay. However, some critics view it as a cash grab, citing unfinished content and concerns about potential future monetization strategies like DLC and battle passes. Overall, while the absence of in-game purchases is seen as a positive step, there are lingering doubts about the game's long-term value and content completeness.
- “Monetization-wise, the game is very consumer friendly.”
- “No microtransactions, no unfair grinds; you start out with a lot of the roster unlocked and the major characters ready to go.”
- “Highly recommend one of the best fighting games I've played in years and no microtransactions.”
- “An unfinished, unpolished, DLC-riddled cash grab.”
- “This game had extremely predatory monetization before release.”
- “Could've been the best DBZ game of all time, but it's not perfect due to sloppy decisions about story mode and monetization.”
character development
19 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
32%
42%
26%
Character development in this game has been criticized for being minimal, with players noting that it lacks the depth and resonance seen in previous titles, such as DBZ Budokai Tenkaichi 3. While the character designs and customization options are praised for their quality and fidelity to the source material, many feel that the game fails to deliver meaningful character arcs, leaving beloved characters feeling one-dimensional. Overall, the game excels in visual presentation but falls short in narrative and character growth.
- “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.”
- “The character intros, map design, soundtrack, character design, and gameplay pace are better than any Dragon Ball game that came before it.”
- “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.”
- “Character development is lacking; some of my favorite characters feel one-dimensional and their arcs don’t resonate like they used to.”
- “And to be clear, DBZ Budokai Tenkaichi 3 and the other two you could see actual character development, like say Vegeta when he's throwing a hissy fit on the asteroid in the Android saga... here?”
atmosphere
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
40%
30%
30%
The game's atmosphere successfully blends familiar elements from previous titles with a revamped combat system, creating opportunities for stylish gameplay. However, the overall experience is marred by a lack of engaging design in menus and user interfaces, and the difficulty can feel uninviting until players master the new mechanics. Sound effects, such as laser blasts and explosions, enhance immersion, contributing positively to the overall atmosphere.
- “The sound of laser blasts, impacts, and explosions contributes to the immersive atmosphere, ensuring that players are fully engaged in the experience.”
- “The game, while incredibly different from the prior games, still gives off a familiar feel and atmosphere to the prior games but with an updated and revamped combat system and UI that can certainly provide chances for unique and stylish combat that the prior games lacked.”
- “What if's are amazing and the atmosphere too.”
- “The style and sense of atmosphere in menus and UIs is lacking a lot.”
- “The game has a pretty uninviting atmosphere in terms of difficulty, but all it really takes is learning all the new mechanics to make a difference. Sparking combos and advanced defensive moves make this game really shine once you master the mechanics.”
- “The atmosphere in the game feels quite different from the prior games, lacking the familiar feel that fans might expect.”

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11h Median play time

27h Average play time

7-32h Spent by most gamers

*Based on 110 analyzed playthroughs

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DRAGON BALL Sparking! ZERO is a action adventure game.

DRAGON BALL Sparking! ZERO is available on Xbox Series X|S, PC, PlayStation 5, Windows and others.

On average players spend around 27 hours playing DRAGON BALL Sparking! ZERO.

DRAGON BALL Sparking! ZERO was released on October 10, 2024.

DRAGON BALL Sparking! ZERO was developed by Spike Chunsoft Co., Ltd..

DRAGON BALL Sparking! ZERO has received very positive reviews from players. Most players liked this game for its story but disliked it for its stability.

DRAGON BALL Sparking! ZERO is a single player game with multiplayer and local co-op support.

Similar games include DRAGON BALL XENOVERSE 2, DRAGON BALL FighterZ, DRAGON BALL XENOVERSE, JUMP FORCE, NARUTO SHIPPUDEN: Ultimate Ninja STORM 4 and others.

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