Dragon Ball is back, baby! Okay, that sounded better in my head. But it’s challenging to express my excitement accurately. Ever since it was announced on March 6 that Budokai Tenkaichi 4, now named DRAGON BALL: Sparking! Zero, is on the way, I’ve been eagerly anticipating its release. More than that, I’ve been eagerly anticipating this release since Budokai Tenkaichi 3 came out in 2007(!). After watching the new trailer, it seems like the long wait will be more than worth it.
Who else but rivals Goku and Vegeta could best demonstrate the possibilities of the new game by going head-to-head? The Saiyans engage in combat for over a minute and a half, showcasing pretty much every transformation they have attained. We witness Great Ape Vegeta in action, as well as Super Saiyan God Vegeta. Goku also exhibits the various Super Saiyan forms we are familiar with.
One immediate standout feature is the destructible environment. As Great Ape Vegeta stomps through the familiar canyons, debris flies all around the screen. Massive dust clouds rise, perfectly in line with the Dragon Ball style. The impact of powerful attacks, such as the Kamehameha and Big Bang Attack, lands convincingly, making it feel like you’re watching a highly polished episode of the anime.
Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero is being developed by the same developers as the Budokai Tenkaichi series: Spike Chunsoft, and published by Bandai Namco Entertainment. Unfortunately, there is no release date available yet. However, it is confirmed to be coming to PlayStation®5, Xbox Series X, and PC via Steam®.
Mike Chang, VP of Marketing and Digital Business at Bandai Namco Entertainment America Inc, stated the following in early December:
“It has been more than 15 years since DRAGON BALL Z: BUDKAI TENKAICHI pioneered arena brawlers, and DRAGON BALL: Sparking! ZERO continues the legacy while adding new genre-defining features made possible only with the latest game platforms to deliver one of the most immersive anime game experiences of all time.”
Check out the flashy trailer below. Which fighter are you most excited to play as? Let me know in the comments!
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