A Nostalgic Punch-Up
Since the last mainline entry of the Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi series, a lot has changed in the world of video games. Enter Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero, the first direct sequel since the PS2 era, which feels like a charming blast from the past amid today’s sleek fighting games. It’s tougher than Vegeta’s chest plate and offers a delightful mix of nostalgia and frustrating imbalance, staying true to the series’ lore.
Classic Chaos
Navigating Sparking! Zero is akin to solving a maze designed by a sadistic architect. Menus are a labyrinth, training tips are as scarce as a good hair day for Goku, and every battle is a love letter to the chaotic beauty of Dragon Ball’s fighting fantasy. You’ll find yourself teleporting, ki-blasting, and occasionally wondering why your character’s hair changes colour every five minutes. The combat is exhilarating—when it’s not plagued by some responsiveness issues that could make even Goku throw a tantrum.

Initial release date: 7 October 2024
Developer: Spike Chunsoft
Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X and Series S, Microsoft Windows
License: proprietary license
Genres: Fighting game, Adventure game
Publishers: BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment, Namco Bandai Games America Inc.
Series: Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi
Unlike traditional fighters like Tekken or Street Fighter, arena fighters like Sparking! Zero allow for full 3D movement in vast spaces, trading complex moves for spatial tactics. It’s a high-speed showdown, reminiscent of the old days, where characters can zoom from the sky to the ground faster than you can say “Kamehameha.” Sparking! Zero keeps the spirit alive, delivering that all-out Dragon Ball experience without the constraints of stamina bars or overbearing complexity.
OOOH! Goodie a trailer!!
Eye Candy and Sound Waves
Graphically, Sparking! Zero is a mixed bag. Characters and environments pop like your favourite anime stills. However, once they start moving, some animations resemble a group of children trying to perform a dance routine for the first time—awkward and a bit stiff. On the sound front, it’s a nostalgia trip with explosive ki blasts and the whooshes of Z Fighters zipping through the air. Most of the original voice actors return, hitting those iconic notes—except for a few moments when you might question whether your memory has taken a hit from too many Spirit Bombs.
A Roster to Rival Goku’s Family Tree
he roster is a treasure trove for fans—over 180 fighters pulled from every corner of the Dragon Ball universe! Some characters need to be unlocked, making the quest feel like a treasure hunt. Yes, there are 19 versions of Goku, but each one has unique abilities and transformation trees. You won’t just find a bunch of reskins here; instead, you get a taste of Goku at various stages of his journey, from the Saiyan invasion to his dazzling Super Saiyan forms.

The controls are mostly universal, but some characters have unique quirks—like Androids not being able to regain ki. Sparking! Zero revels in its commitment to canon, making battles against canonically stronger foes feel just as overwhelming as they should be. It’s infuriating at times, but you’ve got to respect the commitment to lore!
Skill or Suffering?
However, the learning curve can feel as steep as the Capsule Corp tower. While inputs are straightforward, mastering them—especially during chaotic fights—might have you praying to Shenron for mercy. With age comes the realization that quick reflexes are fleeting. After years away from the franchise, I found myself struggling to keep up with the pace of Sparking! Zero. The lack of an effective tutorial system makes it even tougher.
Training modes are basic, lacking the depth found in modern fighting games. A better-designed training system could have helped players (especially me who is the same age as the anime) brush up on their skills without the constant back-and-forth between training and real matches. This does not mean that this old fart didn’t enjoy every part of the challenge!! I DID!!
Strategic Depth in a Chaotic World
The skill points system is a welcome addition. As you deal damage, you fill a meter that grants points to spend on character-specific abilities. These can be game-changers, like Vegito’s ki-boosting move or Yajirobe’s health-restoring Senzu Beans. The new revenge counter system lets you turn the tables on opponents in the middle of their combos—if you can time it right.
The execution window is as narrow as Goku’s chances against Beerus, but mastering these mechanics adds strategic depth to the otherwise frantic gameplay.
Menus from the Past
Even though, the menus feel like a relic from a bygone era and achievements are listed like an old school checklist, you are rewarding with Zeni (the in-game currency) for playing. Everything, from characters to costumes, can be purchased with Zeni at a reasonable pace—thankfully not pushing microtransactions down your throat.
However, navigating the menus is akin to getting lost in a poorly designed amusement park. You often find yourself starting over instead of simply moving back one step.
Episode Battles: A Twist on the Classics
The flagship single-player mode, Episode Battles, retells iconic Dragon Ball stories through various character perspectives. It streamlines the experience by focusing on key moments instead of dragging you through every skirmish. However, the standout feature is the ability to alter events. Make choices during cutscenes to create “what if?” scenarios—like having Goku help Piccolo against Cell instead of waiting for Vegeta and Trunks. This twist allows for some creative outcomes and adds a refreshing layer to a story told many times.
Custom Battles: A Mixed Bag
There’s also a custom battles feature that feels like a mix between Mario Maker and WWE’s Universe mode. You can create scenarios using modifiers and triggers, but the execution leaves something to be desired. The dialogue system feels tacked on, failing to capture the depth of storytelling that Dragon Ball fans crave. Developer Spike Chunsoft included a few custom scenarios, but they don’t push the envelope much—nothing that makes you go, “Wow, I didn’t think of that!”
Online Play: A Breath of Fresh Air
Finally, Sparking! Zero breaks the Tenkaichi curse of awful online multiplayer with solid network play. I encountered minimal lag, allowing for smooth combat. There’s a local split-screen option, but it’s sadly limited to the bland Hyperbolic Time Chamber stage. However, nothing beats the thrill of battling friends face-to-face, complete with dramatic one-liners and exaggerated power-up screams.



Online modes are straightforward, but the DP battle mode adds a strategic twist by assigning point values to characters. With a maximum of 15 points, you can create balanced teams of high-cost heavy hitters or a swarm of cheaper characters. This adds an extra layer of strategy that’s often missing from the genre.
The Final Verdict
Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero is a nostalgic journey that sometimes stumbles over its own clunky mechanics and outdated menus. Its difficulty spikes can be frustrating, straddling the line between challenging and infuriating. Yet, the charm of revisiting a simpler time in gaming, where fun didn’t always mean balance, is undeniable.
The game succeeds in recreating the energy of the Dragon Ball universe, allowing players to relive pivotal moments with fresh twists. While there’s room for improvement, particularly in training and menu navigation, the potential for community-driven content and creativity could elevate this experience even further. Whether you’re a seasoned fighter or a newcomer, Sparking! Zero offers a mix of nostalgia and chaotic fun worth exploring.
Entertainment – 4/5
Action – 4/5
Extra – 4/5
EAX score 4/5

A Super Kamehameha Wave to our our friends over at Prima Interactive for giving us the chance to power up and become Super Saiyan, finally got to kick Frieza’s ass for killing Krillin.
