Dragon Ball Sparking! Zero Review: A Nostalgic Revival for True Fans
For fans of the Dragon Ball series, Dragon Ball Sparking! Zero is more than just a game—it’s a love letter to the timeless world of Akira Toriyama. As a fan who has been with this series since the beginning, Sparking! Zero carries a special place in my heart, and the burning question was whether it could recapture that magic of old. The answer? Mostly yes, with a few bumps along the way.
The Ultimate Roster: A Dream Come True
One of the biggest selling points of Dragon Ball Sparking! Zero is the staggering roster of 182 playable characters, the largest in the series during Dragon Ball, Dragon Ball Z, Dragon Ball Super, Dragon Ball GT, the movies, and even Dragon Ball Daima, this game ensures every fan finds their favourite fighter. What’s particularly impressive is that despite the sheer number of characters, each feels unique enough to warrant inclusion.
From subtle differences in fighting styles to transformations and signature moves, it’s clear that the developer's attention to detail has been meticulous. Characters that might have felt like simple reskins in other games are given enough distinct flair to keep things fresh.
A Nostalgic Yet Familiar Experience
As someone who’s been playing Dragon Ball games since the early days, Sparking! Zero evokes that classic, fun-filled energy that made the original games such a joy to play. The combat mechanics feel smooth and intuitive, and the frenetic pace of battles echoes the high-octane showdowns from the anime.
Fans of the series will appreciate how the game seamlessly weaves elements from past titles while modernizing certain mechanics. In a world of microtransactions and paid DLCs, Sparking! Zero feels like a refreshing throwback to simpler times—where booting up the game just meant pure, unadulterated fun.
Story Mode: Mixed Emotions
Now, let’s talk about the story mode, which is one of the game’s few sore spots. While it covers the epic saga of the Dragon Ball series, the execution leaves a lot to be desired. Instead of full-fledged cutscenes, much of the storytelling is done through slide shows, which feels like a missed opportunity. We’ve all played through these iconic battles numerous times, and it would’ve been great to see the action unfold through more dynamic cinematic sequences. Unfortunately, only a few key moments get the full cutscene treatment, and even then, some fights are skipped entirely depending on which character you choose.
The episode battles follow the story through the eyes of specific characters, such as Goku, Vegeta, Gohan, and Frieza, but if your chosen character wasn’t present in a particular fight, you’ll just get a slide show to recap what happened. It’s a bit disappointing, but where the story mode shines is in the "what if" scenarios. These alternate takes on the Dragon Ball saga are triggered by defeating enemies in ways that deviate from the original story. These scenarios can branch into multiple story arcs, leading to some of the game’s most exciting and imaginative storytelling moments. The creativity behind these alternate timelines is where Sparking! Zero stands out, giving fans something new even after so many iterations of the Dragon Ball story.
Mid-Battle Transformations & Combat Mechanics
One of the most exciting gameplay features in Sparking! Zero is the mid-battle transformation system. Unlike previous titles where transformations were limited to pre-fight choices or single-use abilities, here, players can transform mid-battle using a skill count meter. When your meter hits level 2 or 3, you can initiate your character’s transformation, bringing a sense of strategy and timing to the chaos of combat.
Additionally, some characters come with unique secondary abilities, accessible by holding the right trigger and pressing directions on the D-pad. These abilities provide a variety of buffs, allowing for faster access to devastating signature attacks, which adds a layer of tactical depth to the action.
Visuals and Interactive Environments: Anime Come to Life
Visually, Dragon Ball Sparking! Zero is a feast for the eyes. The character models are so faithful to the anime that it often feels like you’re playing through an actual episode of Dragon Ball. The vibrant colours, fluid animations, and cinematic camera angles create an immersive experience, especially during high-stakes battles.
The interactive environments also add to the game’s dynamism, allowing for destructible scenery and stage transitions that echo the chaotic battles from the show. Blasting an opponent through a mountain or sending them flying across the battlefield feels just as satisfying as it should be.
Share Your Battles: A Fun Addition
One of the more unique features of Sparking! Zero is the "create-your-own-battle" mode, reminiscent of Super Mario Maker. It allows players to recreate battles from the series or invent entirely new scenarios and share them with the online community. While it lacks deep customization options, this feature is still a fun way to engage with other fans and enjoy content created by the Dragon Ball fandom. It’s not a groundbreaking feature, but it’s a nice addition for those looking to inject a bit more creativity into their experience.
Online Multiplayer: Solid but Missing Crossplay
The online multiplayer experience is smooth and enjoyable, allowing friends to jump into lobbies and duke it out. However, the absence of crossplay is a noticeable drawback. While it's possible that crossplay could be added in a future patch, the lack of it at launch feels like a missed opportunity, especially given how many fighting games are embracing cross-platform play in 2024.
In the end, Dragon Ball Sparking! Zero offers a deeply satisfying experience for both casual and die-hard fans alike. It’s not perfect—the story mode could’ve used more polish, and the lack of crossplay is a disappointment—but these are relatively small issues when compared to everything the game does right. The massive roster, faithful visual presentation, and nostalgic combat mechanics make this a must-play for any fan of the franchise.
Dragon Ball Sparking! Zero doesn’t just recapture the magic of its predecessors—it reinvigorates the formula in a way that makes it feel fresh again. For fans looking to relive the iconic moments from the anime or create new ones, this game is the perfect blend of nostalgia and innovation.
It’s safe to say Sparking! Zero has earned its 9/10 score, and it’s a title that will keep Dragon Ball fans entertained for countless hours. Whether you’re looking to relive classic battles or craft new adventures, Dragon Ball Sparking! Zero is a game you won’t want to miss.