Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero

I can’t say that Sparking! Zero is the best Dragon Ball game ever made, as my track record is on the lower side, but it’s the best anime arena fighter I’ve played in a while. The bar has been set, and it’s incredibly high. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to train in the hypersonic lion tamer.

It's not to say that Dragon Ball Sparking Zero reinvents the arena fighter wheel. It just reminds players why we loved the genre in the first place... Dragon Ball Sparking Zero feels like a collective celebration for Akira Toriyama and the characters he created.

DRAGON BALL: Sparking! ZERO hits straight at the heart of longtime fans while setting a new standard for Dragon Ball fighting games, offering us a fast-paced, fun, and visually spectacular experience that strikes the right balance between immediacy for newbies and a good degree of depth for those seeking a more competitive challenge. Highly recommended for fans of Goku and Co.

With such an expansive roster, this game is easily the best of the Budokai games. It also plays well and it certainly looks fantastic. The only true flaw is that it is somewhat lacking in single player content compared to other DB games. It also has some character balance issues, which is kind of common in games like this. Unlike the past few DB games, this is more of one that you buy for playing against a friend or online rather than single player. Overall, Dragon Ball Sparking Zero receives a high recommendation from me.

Dragon Ball: Sparking! ZERO is a dream come true for long-time fans who have waited years for a new Budokai Tenkaichi installment. While it doesn't introduce anything groundbreaking, it offers enjoyable gameplay and a massive amount of content that can keep you entertained for dozens of hours. However, the game is not trying to attract new players—it's made strictly for fans and won't have much appeal to others.

Sparking! Zero is a visually stunning and action-packed game that captures the spirit of the Dragon Ball series. While its episode mode may not be its strongest feature, the game’s dedication to fan service and its impressive roster makes it a must-play for any Dragon Ball fan. The combination of breathtaking visuals, engaging gameplay, and nostalgic elements ensures that Sparking! Zero will be a favorite among fans for years to come.

A robust and, I dare say, dream-like release for fans of Goku and company. Sparking Zero does everything it sets out to do well and while there are some things to polish or modify, the production seems like Shen Long's wish fulfilled for all fans. Don't hesitate for a moment to get it.

Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero is undeniably a great 3D fighter that’s geared up to pander to fans in the best way. The impressive visuals, the nostalgia-fuelled Episodes, the humongous roster of characters, and the exciting action are praiseworthy. The only major sticking point is the steep learning curve and the potentially off-putting difficulty spikes that hit you from the outset.

It’s been an incredibly long wait, but this series is arguably more super than ever on the current generation of hardware. Goku’s 3D battles with his friends (and enemies) look stunning, the roster is stacked with an updated cast, there are seemingly limitless match-ups, and the combat feels great, even if it might be a bit simple for some players. Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero may just be the ‘ultra instinct’ entry fans have always wished for.

Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero honors the legacy of Budokai Tenkaichi and is a legitimate successor to the PlayStation game trilogy, in both a good and bad way. With a plethora of characters and transformations, agile gameplay and extravagant combos, the game sometimes falters with its camera system during fights and recounts the events of the anime in a somewhat rushed manner. Even so, the possibility of creating different outcomes for the most striking moments in Akira Toriyama's work adds a welcome touch of novelty to a game that, although far from perfect, impresses with its beautiful visuals and entertains with combats that seem straight out of the anime and a huge amount of content to be unlocked.

More than 17 years after Budokai Tenkaichi 3, Sparking Zero takes the strengths of its predecessor to go even further. With the generosity of its casting, the quality of its effects and the impressive staging of its moves, the game excels in its fanservice. But above all, the title stands out for its gameplay as technical as its predecessors which offers both a real margin of progression and instant fun thanks to its accessibility options. Too bad the fights are a little spoiled by readability and camera issues. At the same time, we can blame the game for its minimum service for its interfaces, its cutscenes and its training mode which clash with the care given to the rest of the experience. Despite everything, Sparking Zero has everything to delight Dragon Ball fans, even those who want to play locally who will have to settle for a single arena for the moment, because it really is the Budokai Tenkaichi 4 that everyone was waiting for.