Fans ofDragon Ballgames are on the lookout for more news aboutDragon Ball: Sparking Zero, the next installment in theBudokai Tenkaichiseries. Known for their massive rosters, stylish action, and abundant fanservice, the first three numberedBudokai Tenkaichititles remain some of the most respected games inDragon Ball’s repertoire, andDragon Ball: Sparking Zerowill pick up where they left off. Several trailers in,Sparking Zeroreally does look like the direct sequel to the PS2/Wii trilogy, with only its enhanced visuals andDragon Ball Supercharacters betraying that it took over a decade to finally arrive.
Even with a gameplay showcase released to the public, it’s clear thatDragon Ball: Sparking Zerohas a lot left to reveal. Only a fraction of itslaunch roster’s 164Dragon Ballcharacters and formshave been announced, and that’s just the tip of the iceberg. TheBudokai Tenkaichigames were defined by their attention to detail, and that meansSparking Zerocould be holding back anything from “what if?” scenarios to niche interactions between specific characters. Small nods toSparking Zero’s decades of source material should keep piling up, and it already has one ofDragon Ball’s most subtle recurring elements present in full force.
Sparking Zero Understands Clothing’s Place In Dragon Ball’s Style
Dragon Ballis best remembered for its fights and fighters, and a lot goes into the bestDragon Ballgames’ recreations of both. There’s a reason why theBudokai Tenkaichiseries, includingSparking Zero, divides combatants’ forms and erasinto separate character slots, allowing players to build precise scenarios involving specific sets of forms. InBudokai Tenkaichi, some fighters even had cosmetic options, like Goku’s different gi or his Yardrat outfit. How much of thatDragon Ball: Sparking Zerowill include is currently unknown, especially since costume DLC is now an option.
Battle Damage Returns In Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero
Fortunately, a show-accurate form of dynamic costume changing has already been confirmed. When fighters take major damage from Ki Waves or Ultimate Attacks, their clothes will be damaged in waysreminiscent ofDragon Ball’s manga and anime. TheDragon Ball Superversions of Goku and Vegeta from the gameplay showcase get damaged clothes specifically from the climax of theDragon Ball Super: Brolymovie, suggesting that their past selves could take on damaged appearances from their Sagas instead. Complete with scuff marks appearing as fighters take damage,Sparking Zerohas done a great job at capturing the look ofDragon Ball.
How Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero Reflects The Manga and Anime
Its combat and characters may be iconic, butDragon Ball’s visual identity needs to be established for them to work, and battle damage is just one way thatSparking Zeroreplicates it. Overt design choices like cell-shaded art and accurate camera work during intros, transformations, and Ultimate Attacks are expected, butSparking Zero’s features go the extra milewith subtle touches like Saiyan hair swaying while Ki Charging and dust clouds parting around oncoming Ki Blasts.Dragon Ball: Sparking Zerois using modern consoles’ power to pack more movement and detail into its gameplay, and it seems to be making all the right moves.
There’s Still More Fine Touches That Sparking Zero Can Add
Of course, pastBudokai Tenkaichigames wouldn’t have earned their reputations without doing the best they could. Everything from objects hidden in stage backgrounds and differentSuper Saiyan 3 breaking through super armor fasterto Piccolo and the Supreme Kai using their fake names when in tournaments, all demonstrateBudokai Tenkaichi’s reverence forDragon Ball. Even battle damage had special instances that aren’t guaranteed to return inSparking Zero, like Future Gohan losing one of his arms. It looks likeDragon Ball: Sparking Zerois on the right path, though, so fans should expect plenty of other details that remind them of whyDragon Ballis so special.
