Potara Dragon Ball Z: Sparking! Zero is an upcoming installment in the beloved Dragon Ball game series, promising an extensive roster and exciting updates for both long-time fans and newcomers to the franchise. With over 180 characters at launch, Sparking! Zero seeks to push the boundaries of the franchise's fighting game genre by offering more characters than any of its predecessors. This colossal roster includes multiple versions of iconic characters such as Goku, Vegeta, and Frieza, while also embracing more obscure figures from across the Dragon Ball universe.
One of the key highlights of Sparking! Zero is the sheer variety of characters from different story arcs and series entries. The game features 20 different versions of Goku, including his various Super Saiyan forms, as well as rarer transformations like Ultra Instinct. Vegeta, another fan favorite, is also heavily represented with 15 versions, including his iconic Super Saiyan Blue form and the fierce Super Saiyan 4 Vegeta from Dragon Ball GT. Beyond these popular heroes, the roster also includes less frequent fighters such as Lord Slug, Babidi, and Great Ape Baby from Dragon Ball GT, giving players the opportunity to explore new fighting styles and team combinations.
Another notable aspect of the Sparking! Zero roster is its deep dive into various timelines and sagas. Characters from Dragon Ball Z, Dragon Ball GT, Dragon Ball Super, and the movies are all present, creating a comprehensive cross-section of the Dragon Ball multiverse. This includes newer characters like Jiren, Toppo, and Kefla from Dragon Ball Super, as well as old-school fighters such as Androids 16, 17, and 18 from the Android Saga. Fans of Dragon Ball GT will enjoy the inclusion of characters like Pan, SSJ4 Goku, and Omega Shenron, highlighting the game's attention to multiple generations of Dragon Ball lore.
One of the more amusing aspects of the roster is its focus on different forms of a single character. Goku and Vegeta's numerous iterations showcase the developers’ effort to capture the nuances of their power growth throughout the series. From base forms to Super Saiyan, God, and beyond, each version comes with distinct abilities and fighting styles that reflect their respective transformations in the anime and manga. Frieza, for example, appears in his various forms from his base version up to Golden Frieza, while characters like Broly appear in both their Dragon Ball Z and Dragon Ball Super incarnations, offering a comparison of their designs and combat moves across time.
One of the more exciting elements for players is the promise of future expansions. At launch, Sparking! Zero will feature 182 characters, but Bandai Namco has announced that additional characters will be introduced via downloadable content (DLC). These updates are expected to add even more variety, with potential characters like other lesser-known fighters or alternate versions of popular heroes being hinted at. The base roster already sets a high bar for diversity, but the expansions will allow the game to continue growing after its release.
Despite its impressive size, the roster does highlight some interesting absences. For example, Krillin, one of the most well-known characters in Dragon Ball Z, only has a single form available at launch. This may be a nod to his underdog status, but it contrasts sharply with the abundance of Goku and Vegeta forms. Fans hope that future DLC will address this imbalance by adding more variations of lesser-featured characters.
Ultimately, Dragon Ball Z: Sparking! Zero is shaping up to be one of the most comprehensive fighting games in the Dragon Ball franchise, offering a massive roster, deep character diversity, and room for future growth. With fighters from nearly every corner of the Dragon Ball universe, it promises to deliver endless gameplay possibilities and engage fans with a true celebration of this long-running series.
Here’s a list of some of the characters included in Dragon Ball Z: Sparking! Zero, divided by their respective series and sagas:
Dragon Ball Z Characters:
- Goku - Includes base form, Super Saiyan, Super Saiyan 2, Super Saiyan 3, and more.
- Vegeta - Various forms such as Super Saiyan, Super Saiyan God, Super Saiyan Blue.
- Frieza - Includes 1st form, final form, Golden Frieza.
- Cell - 1st form, Perfect Cell, and Cell Jr.
- Majin Buu - Forms like Evil Buu, Super Buu, Kid Buu.
- Gohan - Teen Gohan, SSJ2 Gohan, Ultimate Gohan.
- Piccolo
- Android 16, 17, 18, 19
- Broly - Base, Super Saiyan, Legendary Super Saiyan.
- Cooler - Final form, Metal Cooler.
- Ginyu Force - Ginyu, Recoome, Guldo, Burter, Jeice.
Dragon Ball GT Characters:
- Pan
- SSJ4 Goku
- SSJ4 Vegeta
- Omega Shenron
- Baby Vegeta
- Super Baby 1 & 2
- Great Ape Baby
Dragon Ball Super Characters:
- Goku - Ultra Instinct, Super Saiyan God, Super Saiyan Blue.
- Vegeta - Super Saiyan God, Super Saiyan Blue, SSJ Blue Evolution.
- Jiren
- Hit
- Broly (Super)
- Goku Black - Includes base form and SSJ Rose.
- Zamasu - Includes fused Zamasu and corrupted Zamasu.
- Kefla - SSJ, SSJ2.
Additional Forms and Characters:
- Bardock
- Future Trunks
- Great Saiyaman (Gohan)
- Golden Frieza
- Super Gogeta and Vegito - Includes SSJ and SSJ Blue forms.
This roster covers a wide range of characters and transformations across multiple Dragon Ball series, making Sparking! Zero one of the most comprehensive Dragon Ball fighting games ever.