Bandai Namco Entertainment has fans buzzing with excitement after releasing a new trailer for Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero, the latest entry in the beloved Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi arena fighter franchise. The trailer, which dropped on Friday, offers a thrilling preview of characters from the Majin Buu Saga, showcasing some intense battles and new additions to the game’s roster.
Majin Buu Saga Characters Unveiled
The trailer reveals three newly announced playable characters from the Majin Buu Saga:
- Super Buu (Gotenks Absorbed)
- Super Buu (Gohan Absorbed)
- Kid Buu
These iconic characters bring their unique abilities and transformations to the game, promising explosive, action-packed gameplay. Fans of the saga will be thrilled to revisit the intense confrontations from this arc, now in next-gen graphics.
Release Date & Pre-Order Bonuses
Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero is set to launch on October 11 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam. For eager fans, pre-orders come with some exciting perks: six characters can be unlocked early for those who pre-order. Additionally, the game will be available in three different editions:
- Premium Collector’s Edition
- Deluxe Edition
- Ultimate Edition
These special editions offer early access, allowing players to dive into the action three days before the official release date.
A Massive Roster of Fighters
The game already boasts an impressive list of 24 announced characters, with iconic names such as Goku, Vegeta, and their many transformations. But the roster doesn’t stop there; it includes fan favorites from across the Dragon Ball universe, including multiple versions of Trunks, Gohan, Beerus, Whis, Piccolo, Androids 17 and 18, Frieza and his many forms, and the Ginyu Force, just to name a few. Characters from Dragon Ball Super like Jiren, Toppo, Kale, and Hit are also included, along with villains like Dabura and Raditz.
The roster offers a staggering variety of fighters from every major saga, making Sparking! Zero a true celebration of the Dragon Ball franchise.
New Gameplay Features
In addition to the classic Budokai Tenkaichi fighting mechanics, Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero introduces several new modes to keep players hooked:
- Episode Battle: A single-player mode where players follow eight different characters’ perspectives. This mode also offers “what if” scenarios, creating alternate storylines that deviate from the original.
- Custom Battles: Players can create their own battle scenarios, complete with original scenes, and upload them online for others to challenge.
- Bonus Battles: Pre-made scenarios crafted by the developers, adding more replay value to the game.
Multiplayer modes are also making a return, with both online and offline options. While the offline local multiplayer is limited to the Hyperbolic Time Chamber arena, it’s bound to bring nostalgic fun for fans who enjoy couch co-op battles.
The Legacy of Budokai Tenkaichi
The Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi series, known as Dragon Ball Z: Sparking! in Japan, has been a fan-favorite 3D fighting game franchise since its debut in 2005 for the PlayStation 2. Over the years, the series has seen multiple installments, each one building upon the last with more characters, improved mechanics, and even new platforms like the Nintendo Wii and PlayStation Portable.
After a long hiatus since Dragon Ball Z: Tenkaichi Tag Team (2010) on the PSP, Sparking! Zero marks the series’ highly anticipated return to consoles and PC, bringing with it new-generation graphics, gameplay enhancements, and a vast roster of characters.
Final Thoughts
With its October 11 release date just around the corner, Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero is shaping up to be a must-play for fans of the series. From the return of Majin Buu Saga characters to the introduction of exciting new gameplay modes, this game looks to honor the legacy of the Budokai Tenkaichi series while pushing the boundaries of what Dragon Ball fighting games can offer. Whether you’re a long-time fan or a newcomer, Sparking! Zero promises to deliver an epic, action-packed experience.
Prepare your Kamehamehas and mark your calendars!
