"Sparking! ZERO" Official Announcement, Pre-, & Post-Release Discussion Thread

[Trouser]

This DLC is the proof that they can throw up the lamest crap ever and fans are going to be pleased.

[miguelnuva1]

So orginally we were promised 20+ characters and we ended at 25. Which the three Tamagamis and Mini SS3 Goku were thrown in. Would have ended with 29 and still been under 30.

[Android 50]

I feel like Sparking Zero kind of skimped on the DBS content.

• No U6 arc

• no neutral space map

• no Botamo or magetta - this one really angers me because no game seems to want them. BT, which is known for incorporating tertiary characters and fighters that can't fly just flat-out ignores them too

• No Basil or Lavendar

• No ToP-exhibition match or map

• No Universe 4 representation

• No Katopesla

• They left out a lot of attacks, like Vegeta and trunks galick gun, trunks' super galick gun, SSBK Kamehameha, playable Goku/Frieza combo, etc

I say this a lot but people point me to Bregamo and Ribrianne and her two flunkies. I feel like Bergamo and Ribrianne are the bare-minimum given that they're the front men of their universes and had some special fights with cast. Bergamo literally should have been in Xenoverse, but for whatever reason the playerbase voted for a set of Goku and Vegetas that already had better versions in the game

As far as Ribrianne's cronies go, I would have expected BT of all games to put them in and they did, and I expected the same for Bergamo's cronies since they each had fights, enough attacks to make a moveset out of, and models in the game. I expected the same for Botamo and Magetta too but they're not even among those names of characters found in the files. It feels like they never intended on adding them.

I think Anilaza was a pleasant surprise to me at least. I wasn't expecting anything like Watagash or the GoDs but I was hoping this would finally be a game where roster-wise Z could take a backseat to Super for once.

They're probably saving this stuff for Sparking One when that comes out 2 years from now. That's probably when they will finally add in Super 17, Supreme Kai and all the other skipped characters from BT3 too. These games used to be yearly releases so I'm sure they want to milk them again that way. Although supporting it with small dlc drips seems to be the new way.

[Gt91]

They actually cut some characters/transformations that everyone would have liked. We're only talking about 4 characters. Maybe they'll add them later.

I hope they allow SS3 Goku and SS2 Vegeta to transform.

I wonder who they'll add in the next season pass.

[Dbzfan94]

Looks like the adult forms are transformations of the Mini versions? That's odd if that's the case.

Whaaat?? I hope not that sounds dumb.

[Yuji]

Looks like the adult forms are transformations of the Mini versions? That's odd if that's the case.

Whaaat?? I hope not that sounds dumb.

Well, I don't think they're going the XV route of making each form its own character, and they can't update the Super or Z versions with these forms, as they're out of character slots.

[WittyUsername]

Assuming they make a sequel, I could only hope that all the DLC characters in this game (with the possible exception of Shallot) will be in the base game. Also, they’re definitely gonna need to add Botamo, Magetta and the other members of the Trio of Danger. Oh and SS1 Caulifla.

[Scsigs]

Looks like the adult forms are transformations of the Mini versions? That's odd if that's the case.

There's precedent with Goku from GT transforming into his SS4 form where he's an adult, but that's honestly dumb if true. Unless they're supposed to be just alternate character models? Definitely strange.
Looking at the trailer, though, I don't believe that to be the case. It looks like they're 2 distinct character models & slots.

[Gt91]

They can easily use Goku and Vegeta Z (end). Goku ssj3 can transform in ssj4 ( see Frieza final form > full power), Vegeta (end) has another free slot (base > ssj > ssj2 > ssj3 daima).
So, no separate slots but transformations.

[gokugambitoptimus]

This lame DLC confirms that Bandai Namco isn't happy with this game

You can deny it, but the reality says otherwise

[funrush]

You think they're not happy with the best selling Dragon Ball game of all time because they... are putting Super Saiyan 3 Vegeta and Super Saiyan 4 Goku in it? And a new stage?

Were you expecting it to also have a new campaign and a bottle of champagne? If this one is $10 like the last one it will easily be the best of the 3 character packs bang-for-your-buck-wise.

That said I would like more story content soon.

[FlpShimizu]

This lame DLC confirms that Bandai Namco isn't happy with this game

You can deny it, but the reality says otherwise

Do you have an interview or article with someone within Bandai Namco voicing their discontentment?

I'm disapointed with the lack of stages and story content, but I see no reason to think the publisher is unhappy with the game considering how many copies it sold.

[MCDaveG]

I am super bummed, that there is not even one of the Tamagamis.
But the character choices aside, looking forward to try out this swang song of SZ.
With pass, I hope it will be available today, hence I'll post some of my opinions on the real deal.

Anyway, some interesting points in the thread:

• Keeping things for sequel – well, good luck with that. People will still buy it, but IMHO they will have to go some extra mile with the content, and sadly, it's not just the characters and complete lack of accesories and skins, but gameplay content as well..

• To build on the first part and someone saying that Bandai isn't happy – if they really aren't, they have themselves to blame. The game sold really well and unless there are some inside financial shenanigans, there is no reason for the state of the game as it is, outside of bad management choices. We are past the era of game updates being released as standalone titles, or being labeled as such (Budokai 2 for example) and you have two options – either, surpass the expectations and walk the extra mile (which is releasing a complete game mostly nowadays) or release a game that you will be updating continually and have the option to surpass those expectations and give it more value in time. Games that don't, simply die (like Gotham Knights).

• Hot take – to give them some kudos, they've listened to fans and updated the gameplay for online competivity... on the other hand, the focus on making this game online viable with lack of single player content didn't made much sense to begin with, as this is not FighterZ, Street Fighter or Tekken. The charm of this series lied elsewhere. If I had to pick up anything, I'd focus more on the custom battles mode – better UX and more user friendly, more options. This just made the online live a bit longer.

After the last DLC, they will have a ton of trust they need to build not only for, if any, possible future paid content but sequel in general.
The general consensus is, that the game haven't delivered on it's potential and promises, was released in haste and unfinished, even tho the core was OK, but as stated before, that barely scratches the barrel.
The game and it's lifecycle is already ridiculed among fans online with few occasional naive butt-ins (the next DLC will be unveiled at this fest and this fest, they will add in Super 17 and King Piccolo for sure), which in turn lead to the infamous "Gomah tomorrow."

Also, it is hard to prevail with this kind of approach among the other games in the franchise:
FighterZ was top-tier game in the franchise, with steady updates and live service until the moment Arcsys had a clash with Bandai and left the collaboration (the period after last official DLC, waiting for netcode and getting Android 21 in labcoat).
Kakarot was criticized for it's Battle Of Gods content, going better with RF only to top that with every subsequent DLC afterwards and still going with Daima content (release cycles and dates aside). Not to mention XV2, as there is really nothing to add, that game somehow refuses to die and has one of the biggest updates.

So, it was nice while it lasted and for the last hurrah, let's go to try that DLC!

[MCDaveG]

One open question with the announcement of Switch 1 and 2.
Do you think the game would prevailed better if it was released on PS4 as well?

We are way into the PS5 lifecycle, but seeing how XV2 is still going strong, I might thing that accesibility would be one of the big reasons it is.
Not to mention that it can run on PC with less demands, being an old game.

[Scsigs]

This lame DLC confirms that Bandai Namco isn't happy with this game

You can deny it, but the reality says otherwise

Can you support your argument with either undeniable logic, or a source, my guy?

Because the DLC being a bit delayed & the game getting Switch 1 & 2 ports a year after it came out doesn't support it.

[MCDaveG]

I guess, I care a lot about this game with so many posts
But actually, yeah, I do as a fan... Well, tried the new characters already, somehow forgot about the Demon World map though, hence my impressions are just on characters, but TBF, there wasn't anything else anyway.

Vegeta is fun as always, but while this works in standalone shows and for people who haven't go on binge watch marathon,
I feel the Goku and Vegeta fatigue.
While it is nice that Goku Mini got SSJ4 Mini update, I haven't found the gameplay much fun and only kinda liked the transformation animation and I'll list some of the things further in missing opportunities.

Gomah is as appealing as he was in the show... not much, it's basically the supermarket eye in action together with bland design and recycled design that suggets he is past or failed member of Pride Troopers. That his ultimate almost never hits the opponent (in my case never therefore I have no idea if I have missed any animations). On the other hand, the positive suprise is, that altho he has berserker/buff vibes, he is incredibly fast in succesive hits making him OK on just melee combat. Haven't tried his huge transformation and version unfortunately, as I am not fan of those at all and don't enjoy playing with or against them. As in BT3, they are more gimmicky and not really fun to play as (Janemba probably being the worst).

SSJ4 adult Goku on the other hand, is nice! Fighting with him is fun, he has some cool looking animations with his special moves and the ultimate transcendent kamehameha, besides being kamehameha for the millionth of time in different coat, is cool looking and well done.
The downside, it shows how even with nostalgia aside, SSJ4 Goku from GT looks miles better and sharp design-wise, while Daima Goku is bit bland. That's worse with his mini version while the adult has some Z/GT era accents, mostly when animated.

The star of the lineup? Majin Duu!
He's fun, gameplaywise and character wise. I love his ultimate where he grows SSJ like spikes and after dealing damage, has an extra animation stating that the energy from the cookie he ate is done. I always liked Kid Buu's ball attack, so having another version with another Majin is great, while his energy special is well ballanced. I also like his intro and outro lines.

Aaaaaand that's it, that's what we got.
Going from Duu to missing opportunities. Altho the story mode is finished and self-contained, I am always huge fan of intro and outro lines reflecting the opponent, which leads to fun in-universe confrontations outside of the main shows where they didn't or couldn't happen.
The biggest bummer for me is, that Buu, Duu and Kuu never met in the show and was looking forward if they will adress that in-game.
They have generic lines... outside of that, Duu is awesome. I wonder if there are any new specific interactions with the older roster with all the newly released characters.
While Vegeta got his love in all the Daima DLC outings and is well rounded in all departments, it's a bit sad that you can't transform into SSJ3 with adult Vegeta... of course, he has no Daima version in-game for that, can't mix him with Super or other era characters, which puts him in the same extra spot as years before in Raging Blast series.
With that, Goku, the protagonist is the broken character of the game. Using him in base form as promo character made him into patchwork, with SSJ Goku being patched upon him and the same thing happened with SSJ4. And, you can't transform back.
Also, missing his SSJ3 form. Sure, we already have one Goku like that from GT, but you can give him new attacks and options to make him standout and fill in the gap, as we have tons of Goku's and Goku clones anyway. Goku Mini is probably my least favorite from the both DLCs and yeah, I do even enjoy Pansy more.

I might try the online again later, to slowly get into my Platinum Trophy with 100 online fights, but that's all folks. Have to check the new stage as well, but at this moment, I played them all and unless I get some DB craving in the future and just do versus for fun after work, I pretty much used all the DLC had to offer and to be honest, it wasn't much.

Sure, I am also bored from all the "alternate stories" in-games, that basically tell new unexciting stories with minimum effort, to use the existing roster in different context, but if they went extra mile with something like Demon World adventure, with minimum of text based story, where you could go on series of fights through the world with the existing roster and leverage the new DLC additions, while having some challenges to fulfill (Win with ultimate, defeat with small health, etc.) that would be awesome and also, using the profficiency metric to give you boost so you could at least unlock those pointless stickers faster...
Or, fight to be the next king of demon world. It's a shame, as there is nothing left to do, besides maybe creating some custom battle which nobody will play anyway beside yourself and burn hours in the creation itself.

So I went into the gift zone to receive the cross promo Shenron Dragon Balls, to get 30 000 zeni that I have nothing to spend on

With all the criticisms I had and have for this game coming mostly out of frustration, because I really like to look at the game and gameplay is that kind of fun I missed since Raging Blast 2, the only thing at this point I really miss are the costumes for Movie 9 Teen Gohan and EOZ Blue Gi for Goku. RB2 gave me so much fun through the variety in roster (like Cooler's squad and all the Movie 7 androids, Hachihyakku!!!) and some of the mechanics like partner attacks or even that switch QTE mechanic, I can pretty much use SZ in the same way.

With this, all my future hopes for this game and negative ramblings on it's shortcomings, are at the end

...unless they plan to update the game in some way for Switch consoles with fixed content outside the DLC and will update the current versions or release new variant/upgrade, but I doubt they will and Switch versions will be just what we have plus all the updates.
It wouldn't make sense otherwise.

[Koitsukai]

The characters are pretty neat and the stage is very well done... but I just can't understand why no Tamagamis. Why is a non-fighter present and three fighters aren't?

After trying all the Daima characters, I was left craving to use them vs the Tamagamis, and the Tamagami themselves. Daima was more than those last episodes vs. Gomah.

Chibi Ultra Vegeta 3 has a move taken straight from his fight vs Tamagami 2. I mean, come on.

[MCDaveG]

I would take even one Tamagami over Kuu, to be honest.
Even tho their design is quite symplistic, they are one of the most original characters in Daima IMHO.
And to be honestly honest, the finale with Gomah was the weakest point of the series for me.
I had lot of trash for the Granolah arc before, but at least it had some original ideas than just full out clash and kamehamehas

[Noah]

I read on Reddit that one of the reasons Sparking Zero (and Legends) have been in a content and update drought is because BANDAI is investing in something else on the side. Could it be a new game?

[The S]

THE GAME is quickly approaching its first anniversary. I wonder if they'll do something special for it.