‼️ COMPLETE DRAGON BALL: SPARKING! ZERO NEWS (December 2023) ‼️
Hello, Sparking Warriors… or… Budokai Warriors? Either one! I’ve compiled the most accurate information for you. This is EVERYTHING we know about Dragon Ball: Sparking! ZERO as of right now. You’ll know what’s real and what’s speculation, so all shares of this post are greatly appreciated as it will help all Fans of this game. This is a big one but I’m so blessed and happy to be helping bring us together in any way.
[TL;DR – If you prefer, there is a video link underneath covering these points which is much faster but if you like the reading experience, here you go!]
1 – HISTORY
The newest entry to the Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi Series being Dragon Ball: Sparking! ZERO was originally announced earlier this year in March right after the Dragon Ball FighterZ World Tour Finals. The original trailer being a nostalgic run through the Budokai Tenkaichi Series following up with a modernised Goku transforming into Super Saiyan Blue. That was it. And after 9 Months, finally, the second trailer released this December of 2023 at the game awards, showcasing much more compared to what we originally had. It’s been 16 years since Budokai Tenkaichi 3. There have been others games such as Tenkaichi Tag Team but it’s still a long time ago!
2 – DEVELOPMENT
Sparking! ZERO has been confirmed to be in development for the last 5 years. Meaning, whilst we were all hyped playing Dragon Ball FighterZ, Budokai Tenkaichi 4 was already in the works, which is crazy to think about it. It’s like not realising Cell was already in our timeline even before Future Trunks arrived. But, either way, the game will release on Xbox Series X/S, Playstation 5 and PC. Making this the FIRST EVER Budokai Tenkaichi game being intiailly released on PC. But, seeing as most mainstream DB games release on PC nowadays, it is expected. I haven’t heard about a switch version in the making of this video so unless there has been an update, please let me know in the comments. However, I’m sure just like Kakarot and FighterZ, a Nintendo Switch version is highly likely – even if takes a graphical dip. But great news, the developer of this game is Spike Chunsoft. which is still Spike from back in the day that use to work on the Budokai Series. But eitherway, this means we can expect people working on it to know what the hell they are doing.
3 – Sparking! ZERO or Budokai Tenkaichi 4?
This is the only Budokai Tenkaichi game that retained its original Japanese title for its overseas localisation. Gematsu spotted a Bandai Namco trademark filing in September, revealing that the game would instead adopt the series Japanese title, “Sparking.” Back when I use to buy video game magazines, I would see Budokai Tenkaichi 1, 2 and 3 being promoted and previewed as Budokai Tenkaichi 1, 2 and 3. I didn’t even notice the names Sparking, Sparking Neo and Sparking Meteor until many years later when I became more knowledgable of the Japanese side of Dragon Ball.
An interview with producer Jun Furutani was carried out where they explained the naming convention of ZERO, not that it’s a sequel/prequel but the name is meant to embody the game being an accessible starting point for longtime fans and newcomers alike. This a fresh start for the modern age. Where it’s linked to the old games BUT also revamping everything marketing wise for a new audience so they can continue the series with Sparking! ONE, Sparking! TWO, Sparking! ZERO 2 or whatever. But you get the idea? Is Sparking! ZERO a more marketable name world wide than Budokai Tenkaichi 4 after so long? Either way we cut the cake, whichever name it is, I’m sure the majority of Budokai Tenkaichi fans will be fine with it. It will always be Budokai Tenkaichi 4 at heart no matter what.
4 – LOYAL TO THE BUDOKAI TENKAICHI SPIRIT
The interview with produce Jun Furutani would give details on the nature of Sparking ZERO. The fact that it’s staying true to the originals in terms of gameplay mechanics is the best news. You don’t have to change what’s not broken. But do expect some extra details in the fights. Furutani states that it’s time for the series to return and deliver an EVOLVED Dragon Ball Z gameplay experience. Expect the core gameplay of Budokai Tenkaichi but with even greater environmental effects. The Unreal Engine 5 will make Sparking ZERO a powerful fighting game with real and immersive graphics. Furutani said he was inspired by FighterZ’s gameplay which recreating iconic battles and scenes – so expect a similar experience of the show with Sparking ZERO. He goes on to talk about how Sparking ZERO will be the definitive dragon ball fighting experience. Where Kakarot is about experiencing the story, Xenoverse is about an avatar world, FighterZ is the 2D Fighter… but Sparking ZERO will be pushing the limits of DB fighting in a 3D world and will undoubtebly be the closest to the actual show.
5 – GAMEPLAY MECHANICS
When we dive closing into the actual action itself… the 3D fights return with a high speed battle experience – again to give us the best experience of the show. The combat system includes beams, clashes, rush moves and apparantly… moves that are so fast that the human eye cannot detect them (SSJ4 Gogeta, huh?!)
The battle arenas will be destroyable through combat, beams and also your ultimate attacks. The promotion of this game uses the words BREATHTAKING 3D FIGHTS and THE GROUND WILL SHAKE. They are really emphasising the destructive nature of the combat in this game more than ever. Apparantly, even your transformations will cause a variety of damage to the earth.
In the trailer, the buttons X and CIRCLE appeared on screen making it appear that beam clashes are button taps rather than analog rotations – but we’ll have to wait and see to confirm this fully or if there are means in game for both methods.
6 – NUMBER OF PLAYERS
The number of players has caused a bit of controversy because of different sources stating 1-2 players for online only. The Bandai Namco website, Steam and PlayStation store all say the game supports 1-2 players online but no local coop. However, Gamestop originally had 1-2 total players but for some people this changed to 1 player when viewing the site. Interestingly, the box for one of the older BT games state 1 player but as we know, there’s local coop. Also, Naruto Storm Connections doesn’t list local multiplayer in its Steam description just like Sparking ZERO… however, it does feature local coop. So hopefully, an error plays in our advantage and we get 1-2 players local coop. Even though online is where it’s at nowadays, I think one of the most important features of the original 3 games was the fact you could play side by side with your friends and go nuts on a Dragon Ball Z game. For me, that’s where my memories are it. I know I won’t have the same experience in Multiplayer, otherwise. Especially if I’m using a kamehameha on someone online and can’t see their reaction. I use to love playing Raging Blast 2 online but it was never the same or as fun as playing with somone in the same room on Budokai Tenkaichi 3. So, hold on for more news and updates on that one.
7 – ROSTER
Despite there being speculation about a variety of GT, Super and Daima Characters… at the moment the only confirmed characters are through what were seen on the trailer. Now, it is expected for there to be far more, the greatest and largest roster so far – as the official Japanese Bandai Namco website had a translation that said words to the effect of THE MOST PLAYABLE CHARACTERS and 3D BATTLE ACTION FEATURING THE LARGEST CHARACTER ROSTER IN THE SERIES. This is also supported on the Playstation store. Based on the initial 1st trailer where we saw a small history of the BT series, that included SSJ4 Goku, it would make sense characters like him and many others would be in the core game from the start – and not DLC. But, in the worst case scenario, even if they are not in the core game, they will most likely be DLC because Bandai Namco and the DB Franchise love money. We have to play by their rules to get the experience we want, I guess. However, there’s still hope the core game will have more than BT3 which was 98 characters in 161 forms.
Furutani wouldn’t reveal anything about the roster, nor regarding other features like the loading mini screens. But the characters we have right now are:
Goku in Base and SSB
Vegeta in Base and SSB
Android 18
Cell (Perfect Form)
Frieza (Final Form)
Future Trunks (SSJ)
Fat Buu
Krillin
Hercule
Piccolo
Role Model Tien
Yamcha
Android 17 (DBS)
Bergamo (Giant Form)
Broly (DBS) in Wrathful and SSJ
Future Trunks (DBS) in Super Saiyan
Jiren
Making this a total of 17 characters + forms, so one trailer has already reached 20% of Budokai Tenkaichi 3’s total roster. But if this includes everyone from all series, including SDBH, we could be looking at around 200 characters easily, especially using the Tournament of Power participants. But we’ll see.
8 – ARENAS
So far we’ve seen the Gizard Wasteland and Planet Namek including it’s destroyed version.
9 – RELEASE DATE
Of course this one is not confirmed, so I’ll have to finish on some speculation. With this game being in development for 5 years, then to release one 20 second clip of Goku going Super Saiyan Blue only to make us wait 9 months to get a small 1 minute sample… I think we can estimate a pace of release date. I believe we’ll get more at Battle Hour in January but I will be very suprised if this game comes out in Early 2024. I’ve a gut feeling it will towards the end of 2024, even early 2025. But the reason why I’m inclined to go with end of 2024, or exactly October 2024 is because Budokai Tenkaihci 1, 2 and 3 all have a history of being released in October of 2005, 2006 and 2007. Which means now, they get another 9 months or something to finish up everything ready for the big release. Because it looks like the foundation is there in the second trailer. When it comes to adding characters, it’s going to be mostly a copy and paste job in terms of programming with small modifications to moveset movements etc. As long as the main bulk of the gameplay is done, I think the final part of development is all about fine tuning and loading as much as they can into it. So it COULD be before October 2024. Fingers crossed – just let it be completed. I do expect patches very early on like most games these days.
10 – CLOSING MESSAGE
So I just want to thank you for reading this today. Again, the video link is below if you do want to check that out and give it a Like to help out. I’m really excited for Dragon Ball Sparking ZERO and I know you all are too! If you follow this page, I will keep you updated on everything regarding this game. Thank you for helping us reach over 20,000 Followers in such a short time! If there’s anything I’ve missed. post it in the comments with a source or message me so that I can share your information with credit because at the end of the day this video… this is all for the community.
We’re all a passionate bunch, but once again… I’m blessed as much as I am excited to be with you all on this journey.
[Video Link Below]
Source by Dragon Ball Sparking! ZERO
