DRAGON BALL: Sparking! ZERO platforms, trailers & gameplay
Over 15 years since the last Budokai Tenkaichi game came out, DRAGON BALL: Sparking! Zero has been confirmed as the next fighting game in the DBZ franchise - with a new trailer showing off its gameplay and platforms.
Despite the previous games being under the DRAGON BALL Z: BUDOKAI TENKAICHI banner in the West, the fourth game in the series has adopted the "DRAGON BALL Z: Sparking!" naming convention they had in Japan, giving it the same new name worldwide.
With that, we've got some key info Budokai fans old and new will want to know. So, let's get into the platforms, trailers, and gameplay for Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero.
What platforms DRAGON BALL: Sparking! ZERO will be on?
Bandi Namco has confirmed Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero will launch on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC platforms - already being available to wishlist on its Steam, PlayStation, and Xbox game pages.
Click to enlargeNot only is being a current-gen exclusive quite a surprise for Sparking! ZERO, but being multi-platform from the get-go is as well, given the history of the Budokai Tenkaichi series.
For example, although the 2005 original Dragon Ball Z: Budokai game was a PS2 exclusive, titles in the series as a whole have made their way to other platforms in one form or another. For instance, both Budokai Tenkaichi 2 and 3 were also released on Nintendo Wii as well as PS2.
The series eventually made its way to Xbox 360 and PS3 as well in the form of Dragon Ball Z: Budokai HD Collection - a remastered collection containing Budokai Tenkaichi 1 and 3.
On the other hand, with other Dragon Ball games in recent years like FighterZ, Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot, and the Xenoverse series being multi-platform themselves, it makes sense that Bandi Namco wants to follow suit with Sparking ZERO!
DRAGON BALL: Sparking! ZERO trailers
Reveal trailer
Although not a Bandai Namco trailer, DRAGON BALL: Sparking! ZERO already had its first back in March 2023, being shared by the Dragon Ball Games Battle Hour - although this was when we thought the game would simply be called Dragon Ball Z Tenkaichi 4.
Announcement trailer
Dropped at The Game Awards 2023, we finally got a new look at the next Budokai Tenkaichi game with its new Sparking! ZERO name. With it, we got a much deeper look at the combat along with the first snippets of the English dub.
DRAGON BALL: Sparking! ZERO gameplay
Along with the announcement trailer giving us some sneak peeks at the combat and visuals, we've heard from Bando Namco that DRAGON BALL: Sparking! ZERO's gameplay is bringing back the beloved 3D action battles that Western fans have known the Budokai Tenkaichi series for.
Click to enlargeIn addition to high-speed 3D battles which aim to stay true to the anime, the official game page also mentions you'll get to enjoy realistic environments which react to your every action.
Which characters will be in DRAGON BALL: Sparking! ZERO?
Although we haven't got an official roster list just yet, we know based on the gameplay within the announcement trailer that at least Goku, Vegeta, Frieza, and Broly will be playable.
As part of a new video (shown below), Bandai Namco has so far revealed the following:
- Super Trunks
- Master Roshi, Max Power
- Nappa
- Burter
- Jeice
- Super Saiyan Broly (Full Power)
- Hit
- Super Saiyan Kale (Berserk)
- Toppo
- Dyspo
- Kakunsa
The following have been spotted in other trailers, too, but we're not sure if they'll be playable yet.
- Piccolo
- Krillin
- Tien
- Yamcha
- Trunks (Future)
- Android 18
- Perfect Cell
- Mr Satan
- Majin Buu
- Bergamo
- Android 17
- Jiren
It wouldn't be a Dragon Ball game without at least a few Goku and Vegeta options, though - be sure to check out our roster guide for the full rundown.
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Alternatively, be sure to visit our DRAGON BALL: Sparking! ZERO homepage for even more essentials right here at GGRecon.
