Users wrote

Dragon Ball Sparking Zero has a polarizing reception. Many players praise its fast and flashy combat, huge roster, and strong visuals that capture the anime vibe. However, a large portion of reviews point to online issues, a high price point with paywalls for extra characters, and limited offline content. Nostalgia for Budokai Tenkaichi is common, but some players feel the single-player and balance do not live up to the hype.

Last updated: 2026-03-05

Most Mentioned Advantages

• Fast, flashy combat that captures the anime feel (8 mentions) - Players describe the battles as fast paced, fluid, and cinematic with big flashy moves. The combat design aims to replicate the energy of Dragon Ball fights, especially early in campaigns. Mastery may be challenging, but many players find the core loop exciting.
• Stunning visuals and art style (5 mentions) - Reviews praise the visuals and animation; the game's graphics are considered a standout, with bright colors and dynamic effects. Many say it looks the best Dragon Ball game in years. The art style helps immerse players in the anime vibe.
• Huge roster and character variety (4 mentions) - Reviews repeatedly note the game has a very large roster with many Dragon Ball characters from across series. There are many transformations and move sets, giving players many options. The size of the roster is cited as a major strength and a reason to replay with different fighters.
• What-if branching story mode (3 mentions) - Several reviews mention the what-if episodes as a strong addition that adds replay value beyond the main tale. They appreciate the alternate paths and new scenarios. Some also note that the main campaign could be stronger, but the what-if content remains appealing.
• Co-op and local multiplayer (3 mentions) - Several reviews note that playing with friends is enjoyable, especially in local multiplayer. Offline battles are seen as a positive aspect of the game's social appeal. The co-op element helps offset online frustrations for some players.

Most Mentioned Disadvantages

• Online matchmaking and network issues (9 mentions) - Many players report significant online problems, including long wait times, lag, and unstable servers. Crossplay is not always available or reliable, which harms competitive play. Some players also report black screens or disconnections during matches.
• High price and paywalls for extra content (7 mentions) - Several reviews argue the base price is high and much of the roster and features require paid DLC. This paywall approach leads some players to feel the game is overpriced or incomplete at launch.
• Lack of offline content / single-player depth (6 mentions) - Reviewers say offline modes and single-player content are limited. The story mode is viewed as underwhelming by many, with most content centered on online play.
• AI and balance issues and frame-perfect mechanics (6 mentions) - The AI is described as overpowered or inconsistent, with counters and vanish mechanics that frustrate players. Some reviews call the combat unbalanced and punish players who are not frame-perfect.
• Controls and learning curve (4 mentions) - Some players find the controls clunky and the learning curve steep. The game requires precise timing and complex vanishing/counter systems, which can be discouraging for casual players.

Compared Games

• Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 3 (4 mentions) - Reviewers often compare Sparking Zero to Budokai Tenkaichi 3, noting a similar feel and hoping for a BT3-like depth. Some see Sparking Zero as a modern take on the BT3 style, while others feel it falls short in some areas.
• Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot (4 mentions) - Kakarot is often used as a comparison point, contrasting Sparking Zero's arena fighting with Kakarot's story-focused approach.
• Dragon Ball FighterZ (3 mentions) - Sparking Zero is compared to FighterZ; some reviewers place it among the better Dragon Ball games but highlight different design goals and mechanics between the titles.
• Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2 (3 mentions) - Xenoverse 2 is used as a comparison for roster and content variety; reviewers debate which game better captures Dragon Ball's feel and characters.
• Dragon Ball Z: Raging Blast 2 (2 mentions) - A few reviewers compare Sparking Zero to Raging Blast 2, noting differences in style and depth and the relative execution of the combat.