Dragon Ball Z: Sparking Zero is a massive step up | Hands-on preview

Dragon Ball Z: Sparking Zero is a massive step up | Hands-on preview

As a seasoned gamer with over two decades of experience under my belt, I must confess that the anticipation for Dragon Ball Z: Sparking Zero has been akin to a Saiyan’s power-up – intensely exhilarating and long-awaited! It’s been an eternity since we’ve had a Tenkaichi game that truly captured the essence of the anime, and Sparking Zero seems poised to do just that.


14 years after its initial announcement in 2023, following the Dragon Ball FighterZ World Tour Finals, we’re nearly ready for the first new Dragon Ball Z Budokai Tenkaichi game. It seems like it’s been a while, doesn’t it? The upcoming game, titled “Dragon Ball Z: Sparking Zero,” draws inspiration from the original publishing title of the debut Tenkaichi game in 2005. This new installment brings back the anime-inspired arena combat that fans are familiar with, taking full advantage of modern consoles to deliver what promises to be the biggest and best game in the franchise’s history.

The limited part of the game that was playable left a significant impact. Dragon Ball Z: Sparking Zero significantly surpasses the previous showing of a Tenkaichi game, and while the series’ translation into video games has never been poor due to its anime roots, this one appears incredibly stunning.

From a die-hard fan’s perspective, this captivating series offers a 3D interactive experience that reenacts the epic battles straight from the source material. Characters I adore soar through the air, dart, jump, and move gracefully like ballerinas while delivering an extraordinary beatdown to one another. They hurl flames, projectiles, and unpredictable attacks that can devastate on a massive scale, even causing destruction in arenas inspired by the Manga and anime’s illustrious history. And oh boy, some of them can transform into Super Saiyans, making the action even more mind-blowing!

Dragon Ball Z: Sparking Zero is a massive step up | Hands-on preview

In this version of Sparking Zero, I had a chance to witness an intense, one-on-one battle between longtime characters Son Goku and Vegeta. The game offered a variety of stunning stages for the action, such as the arid Gizard Wasteland with its massive, orange cliffs, and the bustling West City urban environment. The gameplay was swift and instinctive, and the controls were easy to grasp, even for beginners. The combat system incorporated classic mechanics alongside fresh enhancements.

  • Skill Count – A number that rises as you execute moves during the battle and is then spent to trigger special abilities.
  • Short Dash – A technique that lets you move at lightning speed. This change opens up more possibilities such as dodging an opponent’s attack with a short dash, unleashing a charged attack or even a Ki Blast while moving, or linking to a dragon dash to pull off a huge move in one go.
  • Revenge Counter – A technique that lets you strike back while absorbing an opponent’s attack. It is an action that enables high-speed attack and defence as seen in the original story where characters can launch an attack even while being hit.
  • Super Perception – A counter command that lets you counterattack in anticipation of various attacks, even Ki Wave types of blast.
  • Vanishing Assaults – A technique that lets you approach an opponent instantly and pounce.

Dragon Ball Z: Sparking Zero is a massive step up | Hands-on preview

The game flows smoothly and is incredibly enjoyable, evoking memories of games from the Dreamcast era, particularly those with an arcade-like sensation. The sense of nostalgia it brings back is reminiscent of Namco Bandai’s Pokken Tournament, which was a fantastic collaboration between Nintendo and Dragon Ball Z: Sparking Zero creators.

This game offers an abundance of various gameplay modes and an impressive roster of playable characters totaling 164. Conceivably, one could spend approximately fifteen years playing and still not master it with every character.

On October 10th, 2024, Dragon Ball Z: Sparking Zero is set to launch on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series S/X, and Steam. I’m thrilled at the prospect of diving into the fun it promises and experiencing some wild, dynamic anime action!

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2024-09-09 11:15