Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero Set to Launch October 11, 2024

Bandai Namco Entertainment has announced the highly anticipated release of Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero, the latest instalment in the beloved Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi arena fighter franchise. The game is scheduled to launch on October 11, 2024, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam. This announcement was made during the Summer Games Fest, where a new trailer was also shown, highlighting the game's features and characters.

Pre-Order and Editions

Pre-orders for Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero are now open, and those who pre-order will receive early access to six characters: various forms of Gogeta and Broly from Dragon Ball Super. Additionally, a yet-to-be-revealed character will be available exclusively for those who pre-order the game.

The game offers several editions, each packed with different content:

1. Standard Edition - Priced at $70, it includes the base game and is available for PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. Physical pre-orders can be made at major retailers such as Amazon, Best Buy, Walmart, GameStop, and Target. Digital editions can be pre-ordered via the Xbox Store, PlayStation Store, and Steam.

2. Deluxe Edition - Available digitally for $100, this edition includes the season pass, which grants access to all three post-launch DLC packs featuring over 20 playable characters, and early access to the game starting October 8.

3. Ultimate Edition - This edition includes everything in the Deluxe Edition plus additional in-game content. It comes with a new costume for Goku, an emote voice set, player card backgrounds, and a Super Shenron summon bonus. Ultimate Edition owners can also play the game three days early and receive early access to all DLC drops. This edition is priced at $130.

4. Premium Collector’s Edition - Exclusively available through the Bandai Namco Store for $230, this edition includes the base game, all content from the Ultimate Edition, a steelbook case, metallic bookmarks, exclusive trading cards for the Dragon Ball: Fusion World card game, a lenticular card, and a diorama depicting a battle between Ultra Instinct Goku and Super Saiyan Berserk Broly.

Characters and Gameplay

Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero features a vast roster of characters, with the first 24 announced including iconic figures such as Goku, Vegeta, and their various forms and transformations. The roster also includes Gohan at different ages and forms, multiple versions of Trunks, Videl, Beerus, Whis, Master Roshi (both base and max power forms), Piccolo, Krillin, Yamcha, future forms of Android 17 and Android 18, Nappa, Burter, Jeice, Super Saiyan Broly (Full Power), Hit, Super Saiyan Kale (Berserk), Toppo, Dyspo, and Kakunsa.

Characters who can fuse via the Fusion Dance or Potara Earrings are also included, along with their fused forms. These characters are:

• Trunks (Kid), Super Saiyan Trunks (Kid)
• Goten, Super Saiyan Goten
• Caulifla, Super Saiyan 2 Caulifla
• Kale, Super Saiyan Kale
• Gotenks, Super Saiyan Gotenks, Super Saiyan 3 Gotenks
• Kefla, Super Saiyan Kefla, Super Saiyan 2 Kefla
• Vegito, Super Saiyan God Super Saiyan Vegito
• Gogeta (Super), Super Saiyan Gogeta (Super), Super Saiyan God Super Saiyan Gogeta (Super)
• Fused Zamasu, Half-Corrupted Fused Zamasu

The game promises to deliver dynamic and intense fighting gameplay, allowing characters to transform into more powerful forms during combat. The full roster has yet to be revealed, but it is expected to be extensive, featuring nearly 50 characters already announced, with more to come in future updates and DLCs.

Additional Content and Story Mode

The new trailer released during the Summer Games Fest highlighted the game's cinematic story mode, which will recreate iconic moments from the Dragon Ball series. These include Goku's fight with Raditz, his sacrifice during the Cell Saga, and other significant events from Dragon Ball Z. The story mode will also feature "what-if" scenarios, offering players an alternate take on the classic narrative.

A Legacy of Epic Battles

The Budokai Tenkaichi series, known as Dragon Ball Z: Sparking! in Japan, has a storied history that began in 2005 on the PlayStation 2. The sequels, Budokai Tenkaichi 2 (known as Dragon Ball Z: Sparking! Neo in Japan) and Budokai Tenkaichi 3 (known as Dragon Ball Z: Sparking! Meteor in Japan), followed in 2006 and 2007 respectively, with releases on both PlayStation 2 and Wii. The most recent game in the series, Dragon Ball Z: Tenkaichi Tag Team, was launched in 2010 for the PlayStation Portable.

Final Thoughts

As a dedicated Dragon Ball fan, I am genuinely excited about the release of Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero. I have been eagerly awaiting the official release date and have decided not to participate in any beta versions to fully enjoy the final product. This game marks a highly anticipated return to the beloved Budokai Tenkaichi series. With its expansive roster, dynamic gameplay, and rich storytelling, it promises to be a significant release for Dragon Ball fans. The various editions cater to different levels of fan dedication, offering a range of bonuses and exclusive content. We’d love to hear your thoughts about Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero. Are you as excited as we are? Which edition are you planning to get? Let us know in the comments below!

To stay updated and pre-order your copy, visit major retailers or the digital stores on PlayStation, Xbox, and Steam. For more news and updates on Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero and other games, visit our homepage and follow us on social media.