As a child, I didn’t watch much anime aside from Pokémon. But as I grew older, I discovered the legendary Dragon Ball Z series and fell in love with it. My primary way of experiencing the DBZ storyline was through the Dragon Ball Z: Budokai trilogy, which I thoroughly enjoyed. However, I missed out on the Budokai Tenkaichi series, known as Sparking! in Japan.
Now, with the upcoming release of Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero, I am excited to dive back into the Dragon Ball universe. This modernized 3D fighting game promises to bring back the mechanics and features that made the original Budokai Tenkaichi games so popular. One of the main modes, Episode Battle, allows players to relive iconic battles from the show with various characters, spanning from Dragon Ball Z to Dragon Ball Super. Goku’s storyline is the longest campaign, offering a deep dive into his journey.
In addition to Episode Battle, players can also engage in Custom and Bonus Battles. Custom Battles enable players to create their battle scenarios, while Bonus Battles offer unique challenges created by developers. The game also features split-screen battles for local multiplayer fun. During my hands-on session, I experienced classic fights with a vast roster of characters, including different versions of Goku and Vegeta, Broly, Mr. Satan, and more.
The gameplay mechanics in Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero are impressive, with the ability to swap characters, trigger transformations, and unleash powerful attacks. Charging Ki allows for devastating maneuvers, while overloading the Ki gauge enables Super attacks that can change the environment. The destructibility of the surroundings adds to the immersive experience, with buildings crumbling and crowds fleeing as the battles intensify.
Overall, my time with Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero left me eager for the full release on October 11. The game will be available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC, offering fans a chance to revisit the beloved Dragon Ball universe in a new and exciting way. I can’t wait to jump back in and experience the thrill of epic battles with my favorite characters once again.