Summary
Following years of anticipation regarding details about the next game in theDragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichiseries,Dragon Ball: Sparking! ZEROwas announced at The Game Awards 2023. Featuring the signature 3D gameplay style of theTenkaichigames, this upcoming release from developer Spike Chunsoft appears to be a faithful follow-up despite the difference in name. It may seem like a confusing change, but the titleDragon Ball Sparking Zeromakes far more sense in the context of the series’ international history.
Sparking Zero’s reveal trailer came along with most of what fans would expect from a modern update toTenkaichi, confirmingseveral playable Dragon Ball Super characters. What wasn’t expected, however, was the title of the game itself. Given the titles that came before, many fans had expected thatBudokai Tenkaichi 4would follow the convention of the previous three named releases. Considering the gap in time between these games, it’s not that surprising that a large shake-up was in order, but there’s also more reasoning behind the use ofSparking.
Dragon Ball Z Sparking Zero’s Place in Budokai Tenkaichi
The Budokai Tenkaichi Games Have Always Been Known as Sparking in Japan
While fans of the series in the West have always known them as theTenkaichigames, the truth is that this name is simply a localization. Whenthe firstBudokai Tenkaichireleased in 2005, it was actually titledDragon Ball Z: Sparkingin Japan first. The popular sequels that followed weren’t even numbered entries under their original names, known asSparking NeoandSparking Meteor.
Sparking Zero is the Fourth Official Budokai Tenkaichi Game
There may have been some similar releases likeRaging Blastthat came along duringthe years betweenTenkaichi 3andSparking Zero, but these two games are actually connected as mainline entries.Budokai Tenkaichi 4would have just been another name forSparking Zero, and this separation has been dropped in favor of a unified title.
The Original Budokai Series is Totally Unrelated to the Budokai Tenkaichi Games
The Budokai Tenkaichi Name’s Rumored Connection to Atari
While it may be clear thatSparking Zerois simply a new addition to what the West knows asBudokai Tenkaichi, there can still be some additional confusion among fans regarding the inclusion ofBudokaiin the localized names. The reality is thattheBudokaiseries which predatedTenkaichiis separate, developed by Dimps, and features a completely different 2D style of fighting. This lack of relation between franchises is so apparent that some fans have speculated publisher Atari merely attached theBudokainame toSparkingfor fan recognition.
Sparking Zero’s Name Confusion is Nothing New to Dragon Ball Z
Apart from the overall complexity that can be found in the naming of media related to theDragon Ballfranchise as a whole, there is already a history of misleading ambiguity surrounding theTenkaichiseries. The Raging Blast games have been mistaken for continuations of the series by some fans, andTenkaichi Tag Teamfor the PSP is simply subtitledTag Versusin Japan.
Ultimate Tenkaichiis another game that can be mistakenly associated with the series, but its original title ofUltimate Blastbefore localization makes its different style easier to justify. The introduction ofSparkingto the West could take some getting used to, but it has the potential to make theDragon Ballfighting game seriesfar more simple to grasp as a whole.
Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero
DRAGON BALL: Sparking! ZERO takes the legendary gameplay of the Budokai Tenkaichi series and raises it to whole new levels. Become a super warrior and experience the earth-shaking, limit-breaking power of DRAGON BALL battles!Unleash the strength of over 180 fighters from DRAGON BALL Z, DRAGON BALL Super, DRAGON BALL GT, and selected DRAGON BALL movies, all in the base game! Each character comes with their own signature abilities, transformations, and techniques.Make the destructive power of the strongest fighters ever to appear in DRAGON BALL yours!Engage in heart-pounding, high-speed 3D battles that stay true to the anime and video game series, with breathtaking visuals and authentic combat moves like beam clashes, rush attacks, movements too quick for the eyes to see, and planet-razing ultimate attacks.Challenge other players online to test your skills, or sit down with friends offline to hone your skills exclusively in the Hyperbolic Time Chamber! Fight your way to become a champion across various tournament modes and victory conditions.Conquer the action-packed battles from the beloved original story, or discover and unlock new encounters for your favorite Z-Fighters and more. Relive your favorite moments from the series through cutscenes you may experience from the perspectives of eight characters!Recreate your favorite battles from throughout the DRAGON BALL story, or set up your dream story battle with your favorite characters! Share your creations with other fans and experience the battles brought to life by imaginations around the world.
