DRAGON BALL: Sparking! ZERO is a 3D action fighting game that brings the high-speed, destructive battles of the Dragon Ball series to life on PS5. Players control powerful warriors in large arenas where movement, resource management, and precise timing determine the outcome of each clash.
Gameplay
Combat centers on fluid 3D movement across destructible environments. Fighters dash at high speeds, perform rush chains with basic attacks, and launch ki blasts from range. Charging builds the ki gauge, which powers special moves, while skill count accumulates for advanced actions like transformations or counters.
Defensive play involves holding guard for standard blocks or entering perception stance to counter rush attacks. Perfect timing on perception triggers a sonic sway that drains the opponent's resources. Revenge counters allow striking back while absorbing hits, and smash attacks break guards when charged properly. In Sparking! Mode, accessed by overcharging ki with available skill count, rush combos extend longer and ultimate attacks become available without the usual limitations.
Characters differ through unique skills, transformations, and stats. Some recover ki differently or resist grabs, adding variety to matchups. Beam clashes and rapid aerial exchanges capture the feel of the source material without requiring complex inputs for basic success.
Game Modes
Episode Battle serves as the main single-player experience. It follows key story events from the perspectives of eight characters, including Goku, Vegeta, Gohan, Piccolo, Future Trunks, Goku Black, Frieza, and Jiren. Battles recreate canon moments with opportunities for branching paths based on choices and results, leading to alternate outcomes and dedicated endings.
Custom Battle lets players build original scenarios using the full roster. These creations can include special conditions and are shareable with others for additional play options beyond the main story.
Tournament Mode supports both online and offline competition. Players can join or create events with preset rulesets such as the World Tournament, Cell Games, Tournament of Power, or Tournament of Destroyers. Options include single battles or team formats, time limits, stage restrictions, and victory conditions like ring-outs. Ranked play offers single-character matches or DP Battle, where teams of up to five fighters are balanced by destruction points totaling 15.
Additional battles occur against CPU opponents or in local sessions, with quick online matches available for direct competition.
Roster and Progression
The base game includes more than 180 fighters drawn from Dragon Ball Z, Super, GT, and select movies. Each brings signature techniques, forms, and abilities that influence playstyle. Many start locked and unlock through Episode Battle completion, tournament victories, or by spending earned Zeni.
Progression ties into repeated play across modes. Completing episodes and bonus battles grants rewards that expand available characters and options for custom scenarios.
Is It Worth Playing?
The game maintains an active player base more than a year after release, with consistent updates that add mechanics, stages, and content. Reception highlights the satisfying combat loop, massive roster variety, and faithful recreation of Dragon Ball fights through counters and resource systems.
It suits fans of arena-style fighters who enjoy flashy supers, story recreation, and both solo campaigns and competitive matches. The depth in defensive options and team-building in ranked play rewards practice, while accessible basics allow newcomers to enjoy battles quickly. Ongoing support through patches and expansions keeps the experience fresh for those invested in the series.
